The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-12-10

Z
hooked upon acqnie~cenrlv by thos+ who
have paid taxes. In n growing country
where realestaie enhanee- 50 rapidly With
time as in the United States there is
scarcely a limit 10 the wealth that NAV
/ be acquired by corporations, religiouso or
/ otherwise, if allowed TO retain real es-
+ tate without taxation The contempla-
rion of so vast a property as here allnd-
ed to without taxation, may lead to se-
onestration without constitutional au-
tbority, 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 ediices.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with most of the for
and friendly footing. Increased inter
course, extension of commerce, and the
cultivation of mutual interests have i'm
proved our relations with rse major
ify of the Powers of the world, render
ing practicable the peaceful solution of
questions which from time TO time arise,
leaving few which demand extended or
particular notice.
SPAIN.
In March last an arrangements was
made through Mr.. Cushing. Minister in
Madrid, with the Spanish Government
for the payment by the latter to the Un-
tied States, of the sum Of $4,000 in
coin for the purpose of the relief of the
families or persons of the ships COM
pany and certain passengers of the Vir-
ginius. This sum was 10 have heen paid
each. 1t ia due to the Spanish Govern
ment that should state that the pay
ments were fully and speedily anticipa-
ted by that Government, and that The
whole amount was paid within but few
days more than two months from the
date of agreement, copy of which is
herewith transmitted. In pursuance Of
the terms Of the adjustment have di-
rected the distribution of the amount
among the parties entitled thereto, in
clnding the ships company, and such of
the passengers as were American citi-
zens. Payments are made accordingly
on application of the parties entitled
thereto.
With regard To the Cuban question,
the President. rather unexpectedly.
takes the position that the "in-nreen's"
or patriots" of Cuba. have not made
sufficient headwav against the Sps niSh
authorits to warrant their recognition by
this Government, ard nse< cnurilia'orv
language throughout in deal .ng with the
question. But, in speaking of the possi-
hility of intervention, he says:
The recognition of Independence or
belligerency heing thus. in my jndg-
ment. equally inadmissible. il remains
to consider what conrse shall be adopted
should the conflict not soon he brought
to an end by the acts of the parties
themselves, and should the evils which
result therefrom affecting all Nations.
and particularly the United States, con-
time. In such event Iiam of the opin-
ion that the other Nations will be com
pelled TO assume the responsibility
which devolves upon them, and to seri-
ously consider the only remaining mea-
tion. Owing perhaps TO the large ex-
panse of water separating the island
from the peninsula the want of harmony
and of personal sympathy between the
inhabitants of the colony and those sent
thither to rule them; and want of adapt
alton of the ancient colonial system of
| Europe to the present times, and to the
ideas which the events of the past CEN
tury have developed. the contending
parties appear to have within themselves
| no depository of common confidence to
suggest wisdom when passion and ex-
citement have their sway, and to assume
the part of peacemaker. In this view,
in the early days ofthe contest, the good
Offices of the United States as a media
| tor were rendered in good faith, without
any selfish purpose, in the interest of
humanity, and in sincere friendship for
both parties, but were at the time de-
clined by Spain with the declaration
nevertheless that at future time they
would be indispensable. No intimaiion
has been re, eived that in her opinion
the time mas been reached, and yet the
strife continues with all its dread horrors
and all its injuries to the interests of the
| United States and of other Nations
Each party seems qnite capable of work
| ing great injury and damage to the 9TH
er as well a. to all the relations and in
terests dependent on the existence of
peace in the island. But they seem in
capable of reaching any adjustment. and
| both have thus far failed of achieving
any success whereby one party shall
possess and control the island to the ex-
clusion of the other. Under these cir
cnmstances the agency of others, either
by mediation or Intervention, seems 10
be the only alternative which must,
sooner or later, be invoked for the term
ination of the strife. At the same time,
while thus impressed, do not at this
time recommend the adoption of any
measure of Intervention. / shall be
ready at all times, and as the equal
friend of both parties, to respond to a
suggestion that the good Offices Of the
United States will be acceptable to aid
in bringing about a peace honorable to
both. Il is due to Spain, so far as this
Government is concerned, that the
| agency ofa third Power to which / have
adverted, should have been adopted on
ly as a last expedient. Had it been the
desire Of the United States to interfere
in the affairs of Cuba. repeated oppOr
tunities for SO doing have been presented
within the last few years. but we have
remained passive and have performed
our whole duty and all international OBJ
legations to Spain, with friendship, fair
ness and fidelity, and with spirit Of
| No aod 60 rhoa soh ~,