The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-12-16

may DC acQuiroO ~ CoTpcIatiOus, TO'
| ligious or otherwise, IL allowed to re-
| tain real estate without taxation. The
accumulation of 50 vast property -
here alluded TO without taxation, may
lead to seQuestraticn without consti-
rutional authority, aud 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 property restrictions, church ed
ifices.
Our relations with most Of the for
cign powers continue On . satisfactory
and friendly footing. Increased inter-
course. the extension OF commerce and
cultivation OF mutual interests have
steadily improved. Our relations
with q large majority of the powers
Of the world rendering practicable the
peaceful solution Of the questions
which from time to time necessarily
arise, leaving few which demand ex-
tended or particular notice. sa
The correspondence of the Depart
ment of State with our diplomatic rep
resentatives abroad 10 herewith trans-
mitted. l am happy to announce tho
passage of an act by the General Cor
tez of Portugal proclaimed since the
adjournment of Congress, for the abo-
lition Of ssrvitude in the Pertugsse
Colonies. 1t is to be hoped that such
legislation may be another step to-
ward the great consummation to be
reached when no nlan shall be permit
ted, directly or indirectly, under any
guiae, excuse, or form Of law, to hold
his fellow man in bondage. An Of the
opinion, alse, that 1t IL the duty Of the
United States as contributing towards
that end, and required by the spirit
Of the aye in which We live, to provide
by suitable legislation, that ne citizen
ef the United States shall hold slayes
as property in any other country, or
be interested therein. ,..
Chill has made reparation in the
case Of the whale ship Good Return,
seized without sufficient cause, up
wards of forty years ago. Though
she has hitherto denied her accOunta-
bility. the denial was never acq uiesced
in by this government, and the Justice
Of the claim has been SO earnestly cen.
tended for that it has been gratifying
that she has at last acknO wledged il
The arbitrator in the case Of the Unite d
States steamer Montijo, for the seizure
and detention of which, the govern
ment OF the United States Of Colum-
bia was held accountable, has decided
in favor of the claim. This decision
has settled question which has been
pending for several years. and which,
while it continued open, might more
or less disturb the good understand
ing which IL is desirable should be
maintained between the republics. A
reciprocity treaty with the King of
the Hawaiian Islands was concluded
some months ago. As 1t contains .
stipulation that it shall net be in effect
until Congress shall enact the proper
legislation for the purpose, copies OF
tho instrument are here with submitted
in order that If such should be the
pleasure of Congress the necessary
legislation upon the subject may be
adopted,
In March last an arrangement was
msde through Mr.. Cushing, our Min
tster in Madrid, with the Spanish goy.
ernment for the payment by the latter
to file United States of the sum $780,
600 in coin for the relief of the fam
lilies or persons of the ships company
and certain passengers Of the Virginius
This sum was to have been paid in
three installments at two months each.
It is due to the Spanish government
that I should state that the payments
were fully and speedily anticipated ky
that government, and that the whole
amount was paid within but few
DAYS more than two months from the
date Of agreement, q copy of which is
herewith transmitted. In pursuance
of the terms of the adjustment have
directed the distribution of the amount
among the parties entitled thereto, in
cluding the ships company and such
of the passengers as were American
citizens, and payments are made ac-
cordingly on application Of the par
ties entitled thereto.
That Power has furnished no evil
dence Of an approaching end Of the
conflict which has been raging for sew
en- years in the neighboring island Of
Cuba. The same disregara OF the
laws Of civilized warfare and Of the
lust demands Of humanity which have
heretofore called forth expressions OF
condemnation from the nations ef
Christendom have continued to black
en- the sad scene. Desolation, ruin
and pillage are prevailing in the rick
fields OF one Of the most fertile and
productive regions of the earth, and
the incendiars' . torch firing pl lAntationi
and valuable factories and buildings il
the agent, marking the alternate ad
vance or retreat Of the contending
parties. The protracted continuance
of the strife seriously affects the in.
terests Of all commercial nations, but
those of the United States more thar
others, by reason Of its close proximi'
ty, ITS larger trade and intercourse
| with Cuba, and the frequent and init
mate personal relations which have
grown up between its citizens ani
those of the island. Moreover, th,
property of our citizens I'M Caba 10 large
and 10 rendered insecure and depre
ciated in value and In capacity Of pro
duction BY the continuation of th'
strife and the unnatural mode of IT.
conduct. The same il true, differing
only in degree, with respect to the in
terests of the people of other nations
and the absence of any reasonable as
surance Of near termination of tn
conflict must of necessity soon compe
!. the States thus suffering to censide
what the Interests of their people ant
their duty toward themselves ma,
demand.
have hoped that Spain would b
enabled to establish peace In herk col
.. ony. te afford security to the r. =
and the interests of our citizens, 9n'
, allow legitimate scope to trade an
, commerce and the natural production
r of the island. Because of this hope
and from an extreme reluctance to in
: terfere in the most r. mote manner i
+ the affairs Of another and friendly ms
3 tion-especially of one whose sympa
l thy and friendship in the strugglin
' infancy of our own existence mui
: ever be remembered with gratitude
: 1 have patiently and anxiously waite
:. the progress of events. Our own ci,
t il conflict is too recent for US not
: consider the diGiulties which surroun
J. q Government distracted by dyna
d. tic rebellion ct home, ct tho same tin
t that it has TO coPc with separate il
# surrectiOn in . distant colony, b.