The Morning herald., 1875-12-08

| u nIC0U STATES, tHcTc 10 sCdTcCiy i" hAAo W
the wealth that may be acquired by corpor.
ations, religious or otherwise, if allowed tc
retain real estate without taxation. The
contemplation of SO vast property as here
alluded to without taxation may lead to Sc
questration without constitutional authority
and through blood. would suggest the
taxation Of all property equally, whether
church or corporation, exempting only the
last resting place of the dead, and possibly
with proper restrictions, church edifices.
| Our relations with most of the foreign
powers continue on satisfactory and friend
ly footing. Increased intercourse, the ex.
| tension Of commerce, and the cultivation OF
mutual interests, have steadily improved
our relations with the large majority of the
powers of the world, rendering practicable
the peaceful solution of questions which
from time to time necessarily arise, leaving
few which demand extended or partiular
notice.
THE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DEPART
MENT OF STATE
with our diplomatic representatives abroad
| is transmitted herewith. am happy to an
nounce the passage of an act by the General
| Cortes Of Portugal, proclaimed since the
adjournment of Congress for the abolition
of servitude in the Portuguese colonies.
In March last an arrangement was made
through Mr.. Gushing, our Minister in Mad
rid, with the Spanish Government for the
payment by the latter to the United States
of the sum of $50, 900 in coin for the purpose
of the relief of families or persons of the
ships company and certain passengers ofthe
Virginius. This sum was to have been paid
in three instalments at two months each. It
is due to the Spanish Government that /
should state that the payments were fully
and spontaneously anticipated by that gov
ernment, and that
THE WHOLE AMOUNT WAS PAID
within but few days more than two
months from date Of agreement. A copy
of which is herewith transmitted. In pur-
suance of terms of adjustment, have d.
rected the distribution of amounts among
parties entitled thereto, including the ships
company and such OF the passengers as
were American citizens. Payments are
made accordingly on the application of the
parties entitled therto.
The past year has furnished no evidence
of an approaching termination of the ruin
GUS conflict which has been raging for seven
years in Cuba.
bo cAhO uCeiSn vi UiC laws VI SIFIAAAOO
warfare of the just demands of humanity,
which have heretofore called for the ex-
preston of condemnation from the nations
of Christendom, have continued to blacken
the sad scene Desolaton, ruin, and rilla~e
are pervading the rich fields of one of the
most fertile and productive regions of earth,
and the incendiaries torch firing plantations
and valuable factories and buildings is the
vly; %ho nto Iy.
treat of contending parties.
The prOtracted continuance of this strife
seriously affects the interests of all CONNER
cial nations, but those of the United States
more than others, by reason of close proX-
unity, its larger trade and intercourse with
Cuba, and the frequent and intimate per-
sonal and social relations which have grown
up between its citizens and those of the
island. Moreover the property of our cit
zens in Cuba is large and is rendered inse.
cure and deprecated in value and in capac-
ity of production by the continuance of the
strife and the unnatural mode of its con-
duct.
The same is true, differing only in degree,
with respect to the interests and people of
other nations; and the absence of any rea-
sonabe assurance Of near termination Of
the conflict must of necessity soon compel
the States thus suffering to consider what
the interests Of their own people and
their duty towards themselves may de-
mand.
SPANISH AFFAIRS.
I have hoped that Spain would be enabled
10 establish peace in her colony, to afford
security to the property and the interest of
our citizens, and allow legitimate scope to
trade and commerce and the natural pro-
luctions of the island. Because of this
hope, and from an extreme reluctance to
interfere in the most remote manner in the
affairs Of another and friendly nation,
especially of one whose sympathy and
friendship in the struggling infancy of our
own existance must ever be remembered
with gratitude, / have patiently and anx-
!ously waited the progress Of events.
OUR OWN CIVIL CONFLICT
is too recent for us not to consider the diff
culties which surround government dis
tracted by dynastc rebellion at home at
the same time that 1t has to cope with
separate insurrection in distant colony.
But whatever causes may have produced
tie situation which so grievousy affects
our interests, it exists with all its attendant
eVls Operating ulrectly upon LnlS country
and its people. Thus far all the efforts of
Spain have proven abortve, and time has
marked no improvement in the situation.
THE ARMED BANDS OF EITHER SIDE
now occupy nearly the same ground as in
the past with the difference from time to
time Of more lives sacrificed more property
destroyed, and wide extents Of fertile and
productive fields and more and more of val
liable property constantly and wantonly
sacrificed to the incendiary's torch.
In contests OF this nature, where con-
siderable body of people who have attempt
ed to free themselves from the control of
the superior Government have reached
such a point, in occupation of territory, in
power and in general organization, as to
constitute in fact body polite, having a /
government in substance as well as in
name, possessed of the elements of stability
and equipped with the machinery for the
administration of internal policy and the
execution of its laws, provided and able to
administer justice at home as well as in its
dealings with other powers, it is within the
province of those other powers to recognize
the existence of another new and ipdepen-