The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-12-17

ing the past, directing in proper chan
pels these great elements of prosperity
to any people.
The expense OF great civil war and
the wild speculation which followed, in
volved us in foreign Indebtedness, con-
trscted in good faith by borrower and
lender, which should be paid in coiu
and according to the bond agreed upon
when the de6t was contracted-gold or
its equivalent.
NO REPUTATION,
The good faith OF tie government
cannot pc violated towards creditors,
without national disgrace. But our
commerce should be encouraged;
American ship building aud carrying
capacity increased; foreign markets
sought for products of the soil and
manufactures, to the end that we may
be able to pay these debts Where a
new market can be created for the sale
of our products, either Of the soil, the
mine, or the mauufactory, rev means
is discovered Of utilizing our idle capital
and labor to the advantage OF the whole
people. But 10 my judgment, the FIRST
step towards accomplishing this object,
is to secure currency o. fixed, stable
value; a currency good wherever civili-
zation rcigns; one which, il it becomes
superabundant with one people, will God
market with some other; a currency
which has for its basis the labor neces-
sary to produce it which will give to it
its value. G old and silver are now the
recognized mediums Of exchange the
civilized world over, and to this We
should return with the least practicable
delay.
In view of the pledges Of the Ameri.
cen congress when our present legal
tender system was adopted, and debt
contracted, there should be no delay,
certainly no necessary delay, 10 fixing
by legislation a method by which we
will return to specie. To the accom-
plishmens Of this end ! invite your
especial attention, believe firmly that
that there can be no prosperous and per-
manept revival OF business and indus
tries until policy is adopted, with leg
islation to carry it out, looking to re-
turn to specie basis.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
During the past year nothing has oc-
cured to disturb the general friendly
and cordial relations of the United
States with other powers. The cores
pondenoe submitted herewith between
this government aud its diplomatic rep.
as also With the representa-
tives OF other counties, shows salts
factory condition of all questions be-
tween the United States and the most
of those countries, aud with a few excep-
tons, 10 which reference is hereafter
made, the absence of any points Of dit
ference to be adjusted
THE sPANIsH AMERICAN STATES.
There has been no msterial change
in our relations with the Independent
States of this hemisphere which were
formerly under the dominion Of Spain
MarauGing on the frontiers, between
VI exico and Texas, still frequently takes
place, despite the vigilance of the civil
and military authorities in that quarter
The difficulty of checking such tres
passes along The course of river OF
such length as the Rio Grande, and so
often iordable, is obvious. 1t is hoped |
hat the efforts Of this government will |
be seconded by those Of Mexico, to the
effectual supervision Of these acts OF
wrong.
CUBAN AFFAIRS.
The deplorabls strife in Cnbia con-
-inues without any marked change in
The relative advantages of the contend
ng forces, The Iusurrection continues,
but Spain has gained no superiority,
aud years OF strife give to the insurrec-
ton significance which cannot be De.
nied. Its duration and the tenactg of
its adherence, together with the absence
Of manifested power Of suppression on
the part of part of Spain cannot be con-
troverted, and may make some positive
steps On the part of others matter OF
necessity. had confidently hoped at
this time TO be able to announce
the arrangement of some of the impor-
Iant questions between this government
and that Of Spsin, but the negotiations
have been protracted
The unhappy Intestine dissensious OF
S pain command our profound sympathy
and must be accepted as, prehaps, a
cause Of some delay. An earley settle
mept in part, st least, Of the questions
between the governments ia hoped.
La the meantime, awaiting the results
Of Immediately pending negotiations,
defer a further and fuller communication
On the subject OF the relations Of this
and Spain.
TIE NATURALIZATION QUESTION.
l have again to call the attention OF
congress to the unsatisfactory condition
IF the existing laws, with reference to
aud the election OF nation
'liTy. Formerly, amid coficting opin-
on and decisions, it was difficult to de-
ermine how far the doctrine of per
oetual allegiance was applicable to citi-
lens Of the United States. Congress,
oy the act of the 9th Of July, 1868, |
asserted the abstract right Of expatria-
ion as fundamental principle, Of this
government. Notwithstanding such |
assertion, aud the necessity of frequent
application OF the principle, no legislation |
nas been had defining what acts or fom-
.lities shall work expatriatiou, or when
/ citizen snail be deemed to have re-
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