Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1873-12-11

gun uOdL 1OTnduO, ana was carried in
to the port OF Santiago de Cuba, where
many of her passengers and crew
we're inhumanly, and, so far, at least,
as relates to those who were citizens
of the United States, were without
due process of law, put to death.
OUR FLAG ON THE HIGH SEAS.
It is a well established principle, as
serted by the United Statre from the
beginning of their national independ-
ence, reco gnized by Great Britain and
other maritime powers, and stated by
the Senate in 81 resolution passed unan-
imously on the 10th of June, 1858,
that American vessels on the high seas
in time of peace, bearing the Ameri,
can flag remain under the jurisdiction
of the country to which they belong,
and, therefore, any visitation, moles-
ton, or detention of such vessel by
force on the pgrt of q foreign, power
is in derogation of the sovereignty of
the United States.
OUR DEMANDS COMPLIED WITH.
In accordance with this principle,
the restoration of the Virginius and
the surrender of the survivors of her
passengers aud crew and due repara-
ton to the flag and the punishment Of
the authorities who had been guilty of
the illegal acts of violence were de
manded. The Spanish government
has recognized the justice of the de-
mand, and has arranged for the imme-
date delivery Of the vessel, and for
the surrender of the survivors Of the
passengers and crew, and for a sa
lutte to the flag, and for proceedings
looking to the punishment of those
who may be proved to have been
guilty OF illegel acts Of violence to-
ward citizens of the United States, and
also toward indemnifying those who
may be shown to be entitled to indem-
nity. a copy of u proposal between
tue Secretary of State and the Spanish
Minister in which the terms of this ar
rangement were agreed to, will be
transmitted herewith. AS the CORES
pondence on this subject with the La-
CATION Of the United States was in ci
pher, and by cable, and needs the veri
fication of the actual text of the cor
respondence, it has seemed to me to
be due to the Importance of the case
not to submit this correspondence un-
til the accurate text can be received by
mail. tits expected shortly, and will
be submitted when received.
SLAVERY IN CUBA
In taking leave of this subject for
the present, wish to renew the eX-
preston Of my conviction that the ex-
istence of African slavery in Cuba is
a>principal a cause of the lamentable
copdition of the island. l do not
sdf1ubt that Congress shares with me
the hope that it will soon be made to
disappear, and that peace and prosper
:Afto' may follow its abolition.
The. embargQing. Of -AIperican # loss
tates inHCrr6a, cruelty to American cit.
izens detected in no act of hostility
to the Spanish government, the mur
lering Of prisoners taken with arms
in their hands, and, finally, the cap
ture upon the high seas of a vessaI
sailing under the United States flag,
and hearing a United States registry
mas eliminated in an outburst of in
dignatiOn that has seemed for a time
to threaten war pending negotiations
between the United States government
and the government of Spain on the
subject of this capture.
THE NAVY.
have authorized the Secretary of
the Navy to put our navy on a war
footing, to the extent, at least, of the
entire annual appropriation for that
branch of the service, trusting to Con
gress and the public opinion of the
American people to Justify my action
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRES
DENT.
Assuming from the action of the
last Congress appointing a Committee
pare and report to this Congress q
constitutional amendment, to provide
better method of electing the Presi
dent and Vice President of the United
| States, and also from necessity Ol
such an amendment, that there viii be
subllitted to the State Legislatures
for ratification such an improvement
in our condition, suggest two Others
for yOnr consideration: First, to au
thorize the Executive to approve ot
so much of any measure passing the
two houses of Congress, as his judge
ment may dictate, without approving
the whole, the disapproved portion to
be subjected to the same rules as now
to wit: to be referred back to tho
! House in which the measure or meas.
ures originates, and if passed by {
two thirds vote of the two houses
then to become law without the ap
proval of the President.
SUGGESTIONS.
would add to this a provision tha
there should he no legislation by Con
gTess during the last twenty four hour!
of its sitting, except upon vetoes, il
order to give the Executive an oppor
tunity to examine and approve or dis
approve understandingly; second, tC
provide by amendment that when al
extra session of Congress is convened
by the Executive proclamation, legis
lation during the continuance of sucl
extra session shall be confined to sucl
subjects as the Executive may brin!
before it from time to time in writ
ing. The advantage to be gained b,
these two amendments are obvious
One session in each year is provided
f for by the Constitution, in which ther,
are no restrictions as to the subject
of legislation by Congress. If NOR
are required, it is always in the powe
of Congress during their term of otlic
to provide for sessions at any time =
The first of the amendments is to Pre-
tect the public against the man
t wastes of public money which cree
into aDnropriation bills. and other i'm