The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-12-10

through blood. ] would suggest taxa
tion OF all property, equally, whether
church or corporation, and the exemp-
tion of only the last resting place of
the dead and possibly, with proper
~Ds3ricjiOns, church eiiiices.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with most Of the for
eign powers continue on n satisfactory
and friendly footing. Increased inter
course, the extension OF commerce and
the cultivation of mutual interests
have steadily improved our relations
with a large majority of the powers of
the world, rendering practicable the
peaceful solution of questions which
from time tG time occur, necessarily
leaving few which demanded extend
ed or particular notice
PORTUGAL.
The correspondence Of the Depart
ment Of State with our diplomatic rep
resentatives abroad is transmitted here
with. ] am happy TO announce the
passage of an act by the General Cor
ties of Portugal, proclaimed since the
adjournment of Congress, for the alb
clifton of servitude in Portuguese colo
nies. 1t is 20 be hoped that such legis-
lation may he another step toward the
great consummation TO be reached
when no man shall be permitted, direct
ly or indirectly, under any guise, ex-
cuse, or form of law, TO held his fellow
man in bondage. l am OF the opinion
that it is the duty of the United States,
as contributing toward that end and
required by the spirit Of the age in
which we live, to provide by suitable
legislation, that no citizen of the Unit
ei States shall hold slaves as property
in any other country or he interested
therein.
Chill has made reparation in the case
OF the whale ship Good Return, seized
without sufficient cause upwards of 40
years ago, though she had hitherto de-
MED her accountability. The denial
was never acquisced in by this govern
ment and the justice of the claim has
been 50 earnestly cOntended for, that
it has been gratifying that she should
have at last acknowledged the claim.
The arbitrator in the case of the
United States steamer Montijo, for the
seizure and detention of which the
Government of the United States of
Columbia was held accountable, has
decided in favor of the claim. This
decision has settled a question which
has been pending for several years, and
which, while it remained open, might
more or less disturb the good feeling
which it is desirable should be main
tanned between the republics. A re-
ciprocity treaty with the King of the
Hawaiian Islands was concluded some
months ago. As ii contains stipula-
ton that it shall not take effect until
Congress shall enact the proper legisla-
ton for the purpose, copies of the in
strument are herewith submitted in
order that if such should be the pleas
ure of Congress, the necessary legisla-
ton upon the subject may be adopted.
THE SPANISH QUESTION.
In March last an arrangement was
made through Mr.. Cushing, our mill
lister in Madrid, with the Spanish Gov
ernmcnt, for the payment by the latter
to the United States OF the sum of
flNrf laat q ha
relief of the families or persons of the
ships company and certain passen-
gers of the Nirginius. This sum was
to have been paid in three instaliments
at two months each. 1t is due TO the
Spanish Government that / should
state that the payments were fully and
speedily anticipated 10y that Govern
ment, and that the whole amount was
paid within but d few days more than
two months from the date of agree
meDt,a copy 0fwhich is herewith trans
mitted. In pursuance of the terms of
the adjustment, L have directed the
distribution % the amount among the
parties entitled thereto; including the
ships company and such of the passen-
gers as were American citizens. Pay
ments are made accordingly on appli-
cation of the parties entitled thereto.
The past year has furnished no EVIL
dcnce of aH approaching end of the
ruinous conflict which has been raging
for seven years in the neighboring ISL
and of Cuba. The same disregard of
the laws of civilized warfare and of the
Just demands of humanity which have
heretofore called for the expressions of
condemnation from all the nations of
Christendom, have continued TO black
en- the sad scene of desolation. Ruin
and pillage are pervading the rich field
of ore of the most fertile and prOduc-
tive regions of the earth, and the in
cendiary's torch firing plantations, and
valuable factories and buildings, is the
agent making the alternate advance or
retreat of the contending parties. The
protracted continuance of the strife
seriously affects the interests of ali
commercial nations, but those of the
United States more than Others, by
reason of the close proximity its larger
trade, and Intercourse with Cuba, fire.
quent intimate personal and social re-
lations which have been growing be-
tween its citizens and those of the ISL
and. Moreover the properly of our
citizens in Cuba is large and l. render
ed insecure and deprecated in value
and in capacity of production 10y the
continuation of the strife and tie un-
natural mode of its conduct. The
same is true. differing only in the de-
gree, with respect TO the interest and
people of other nations, and the ab-
sence of any reasonable assurance of
near termination Of-the conflict must
uf necessity soon compel the States
thus suffering 30 consider what the in
teresis Of their own people and their
duty toward themselves may demand.
| haze hoped that Spain would be en-
abled TO establish peace in her colony,
to afford security 10 the property and
the interests of our citizens, and allow
legitimate scope 10 trade and COM
merce, and the natural productions of |
the island. Because of this hope aud
from AN extreme reluctance TO inter
fere in the most remote manner IN the
affairs of another and 2 friendly nation,
especially of one whose sympathy and |
friendship i'm the struggling infancy of +!
our own existence must ever be re- 1
membered with gratitudde, / have pa
tiently and anXiOusly waited the pro- /
gress of events. Our own civil conflict /
is too recent for us not to consider the 4
difficulties which surround a govern
ment, distracted by dynastic rebel
lion at home at the same time that il |
has To cope with separate insurfec-
ton in distant colony. But what
ever causes may have produced the
situation which so grieVously affects
our interests, il exists with all its at
tending evils, operating directly upon
this country and its people. Thus far
all the results of Spain have proved
ahortive, and time has marked no inn
in the situation. The arm 4
ed bands of either side now ocs.upy |
nearly the same ground as in the |
past. with the difference from time