Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-08

10 provide by suitable legislation that no citizen OF
the United States shall hold slaves as properly IN
any other country, or be interested therein.
Chill has made reparation in the case OF Inc
whale ship GOOD Return" seized without sutii-
Gent cause, upwards Of forty years ago. Though
she had hitherto denied her accountability, Inc
denial was never acquiesced in by this go'ern,
ment, and the justice Of the claim has peen ~
earnestly contended for, that it has been CRAFTY
ing that she should have at last acknowleageo II.
The arbitrator in the case of the United states
steamer Montigo, for the seizure ana aet e "a
which the government Of the nited olae' y,
Columbia was held accountable mas ae Sa.,iea a
favor of the CLAIM. This decision mas setteu "
question which was pending for sevefai years,
and which while it continued open might more OF
less disturb the good understanding "n'et 4 -
desirable should be maintatcd oe'"een, W
nubl;cs reciprocity treaty with tue hlhe o.
r. Iiawoiian I.laod. was concluded some mouths
ago. .,. .t,. :. sbaU not take
effect until Congress shall enact tile proper es!s
la,ion for that purpose copies Of the instrument
ore herewith submitted in order that If such
should be the pleasure of Congress, the necessary
legislation upon the subject may be adopted
SPAIN AND CUBA
In March last an arrangement was made through
Mr. Cushing, our minister IN Madrid, win tue
Spanish government, whereby the payment was 10
be made by the latter to the United states OF Inc
ann of $50 900 in coin, for the purpose OF the re-
lief of the families or persons of the ship COM
pany and certain passengers of the "Nlrsinius,;,
This sum was to have been paid in thtee install
ments, at two months each. II Is que 10 vac
Spanish government that should state that Tue
payments were fully and spontaneously anticipa-
ted by that government, and that the Wno!c
amount was paid within but few days more 'nan
the two months from the date OF the asreem' NJ
COPY Of which is herewith transmitted. In Pursu
auce of the terms of the adjustment, l have d.
rected the distribution of the amount among the
nsrties entitled thereto, including the ships com
pany and such of the passengers as were Ameri
can citizens. Payments are made accordingly on
the approval Of the parties entitled here to ais'r
button.
Tbs past year has furnished evidence OF an
approaching termination Of the ruinous CONNECT
which has been raging fol- seven years IN the
neiphborine Island Of Cuba. The same regard
TO the laws Of civilized warfare and OF inc JUS. ue
mands on humanity. which have heretofore called
for expressions Of condemnation FROM the nations
of Christendom, have continued TO blacSen the
cad scene. Desolation, ruin and pillage, are per,
.sdng the rich fields OF one OF the most fertile ana
productive regions of the earth, and the mcehoi-
ary's torch firing plantations and valuaole iac-
tories and buildings is the agent marking the alter
nate advance retreat OF contendlng parties Inc
protracted continuance of the strife seriously al
fects the interests of all commercial nations, ph'
those of the United States more than others by
reason of the close proximity, its larger trade ant
intercourse with Cuba, and the frequent and intl
mate personal and social relations which nave
grown up between its citizens and those OF Inc
leland Moreover, the property of our ci,lzens IL
Cuba is large, and is rendered insecure and de
preciated in value and in capacity of production
by the continuance of the strife and the unnatu
raj mode of its conduct. .
The same 10 true, differing only in degree, with
re,pect to the interests and people OF other na
tons; and the absence Of any reasonable assur
ance Of o near termination OF the conflict, must
necessity soon compel the States thus suffering. Il
consider what the interests of their own people
and their duty toward themselves may demand
have hoped that Spain would be enabled 10 es'
tablish peace in her colony, TO afford security to
the property and interests of our citizens and a.!
low legitimate scope to trade and commerce ano
the natural productions of the Island. Because
of this hope and from an extreme reluctance TO
interfere the most remote manner IN the a1falrs
of another and friendly nation, especially of ono
whose sympathy and friendship in the struggling
infancy of our own existence must ever be re-
membered with gratitude, have patiently and
snxiously waited the progress Of events Oul
own civil conflict is too recent for not to con-
slider the difficulties which surround government
distracted by dynastic rebellion at home, at the
same time that it has to cope with separate IN
surrection in distant colony.
But whatever causes may have produced the sit
nation which so previously affects our interests, II
exists with all its attendant evils operating direct
" upon this country and its people. Thus lar ali
the efforts of Spain have proved abortiye, and
time has marked no improvement IN the situation
The armed OaDQS OF elncT sue HOW occupy
nearly the same ground as in the past, with the
difference from time TO time, of more lives sacrl
feed, more property destroyed and wider extent.
of fertile and productive fields and more and more
of valuable property constantly and wanionly sac
rifced to the incendiary's torch.
In contests Of this nature, where considerable
body of people who have attempted to free them
selves of the control Of the superior government
have reached such point in occupation OF territory
in power and IN general organization, as to con
-. fn In1y Walt IN harrsn arm
ment in substance as well as in name, established
on the elements of stability and equipped with the
machinery for the administration of internal pol
icy and the execution of its laws, prepared and
able to administer justice at home well as in 1T
doings with other powers, it is within the province
Il those other powers to recognize its existence
Lew and Independent nation. In such case;
other nations simply deal with an actually exist
ing condition Of things, and recognize as one O!
the powers of the earth that body polite which
possessing the necessary elements, has, IN fact
become new power. In a word, the creation o
new State is fact. To establish the condition
of things essential TO the recognition Of this fac
there must be people occupying a Known terri
tory, united under some known and defined form
of government, one acknowledged by those sub
ject thereto, in which the functions of government
are administered by the usual methods, competent
to mete out justice to citizens and strangers, &c
afford remedies for public and private wrongs, and
able to assume the corrclative international obi
ing international duties resulting from It's acquisi
ton of the rights Of sovereignty power should
exist complete in its organization, ready 10 take
and able to maintain It's place among the nation-
of the earth.
While conscious that the Instruction in Cuba
has shown a strength and endurance which make
it at least doubtful whether it be in the power OF
Spain TO subdue it, it seems unquestionable that
no such civil organization exists which may be
recognized as an Independent government capa-
bic of performing its international obligations and
entitled to be treated as one OF the powers of the
earth. A recognition under such circumstances
would be inconsistent with the facts, and would
compel the power granting it soon to support by
force the government to which it had really given
its only claim Of existence. In my judgment
the United States should adhere to the policy and
principles which have heretofore been it, and
safe guide in like contests between revoltcd colon
les and their mother country, and acting only upon
the clearest evidence, should avoid possibility
of Suspicion Of imputaton. A recognition of
the independence Of Cuba being, in my opinion,
impracticabe and indeiensible, the question which
next presents itself is that Of the recognition Of
belligerent rights in the parties to the contest.
In former message to Congress had occasion
10 consider this question: and reached the conclu-
sion that the conflict in Cuba dreadful and deyas-
tsting as were its incidents did not Use TO the fear
full dignity Of war. Regarding il now, after thi :,
lapse OF time, sm unable to that any notable
success or any marked o. r. Al advance on the part
10. ii IL L..