The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1876-12-15

honorable TO all parties condern
: ed. Taxes have been reduced
within the last seven years ne arl,
! $500. 900, 900 and the national debt
5 has been nleduced within the sam'
time over $435, 100000 by refund
Z ing the six per cent. bonded deb
for bonds bearing five and fou
and a half per cent. interest, re
spectively. The annual interes
has been reduced from over $3.50
100000 in 1860 to but little byel
$780, 100000 in 1876.
RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS
4 POSSIBLE IN 1879.
/ The balance Of trade has been
changed from over $130,000,00C
against the United States in 1868
to more than 130,000,000 in oui
favor in 1876. 1t is confidently
believed that the balance of trade
in favor of the United States will
! increase, not diminish, and that
| the pledge of Congress to resume
specie payments in 1879 will be
easily accomplished.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
Even in the absence % much
desired further legislation on the
subject, a policy has been adop-
ted toward the Indian tribes in
habiting a large portion ofthe
country ofthe UnitedStates, which
has been humane and has substan-
TALLY ended Indian hostilities in
the whole land, except in a por-
ton of braska, Dakota, Wyom-
ing, and Montana Territories, the
Black Hills region, and approach
es thereto. Hostilities there have
grown out of the ayarice of the
white men, who has violated our
treaty stipulations in his search
| for gold. The. question might be
asked why the Government has
not enforced obedience to The
terms of treaty prohibiting the
occupation of the Black Hills re-
gion by whites. The answer is
simple. The first emigrants to
the Black Hills were removed
by troops but rumors of fresh dis
coveries of gold took into that re-
gion increased numbers. Gold
has actually been found in pay
ing quantities, and the effort TO
remove miners would only result |
in the destruction OF the bulk of
troops that might be sent there |
TO remove them, All difficulty |
in this matter has, however been
removed subject to the approx |
al Of COngress-by treaty ced
ing the Black Hills andapproach |
es to settlement by citizen. The
subject Of the Indian policy and
treatment is so fnlly set fourth
by the Secretary of the Interior
and the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, and my view is SO fully
expressed therein, that | refer to
their reports and recommendation
as my own.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations Of the United
States with foreign Powers con-
tinue on a friendly footing. Ques-
tions have arised from time to
time in the foreign relations Of
the Government, but the United
States have been happily free,
during the past year, from the
complications and embarrassment
which have surrounded some Of
the Powers. The diplomatic cor
respondence submitted herewith
contains information as to GER
tain of the matters which have
occupied the Government.
The cordiality which attends
our relations with the Pow
ers Of the earth has been
1lainly shown by the general par /,
icipation of foreign nations in !
he exhibition which has just {
,losed, and by the exertions made /,
by distant Powers to show their !
interest in, and friendly feelings
oward the United States, in {
,ommemoration OF the centenni-
j of the nation. The Govern
nent, and people Of the United ;,
States have not only fully appre- I
lated this exhibition Of kindly !
ceiling, but it may be justly and =
airly expected that no small ben !
fit will result both to ourselves I
nd other nations from a better !,
ppreciation Of our natural ad i
antages. !,
HE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR sERA G
\ VICE.
Congress at its last session, saw
{ to reduce the amount annually 4
appropriated for foreign inter !,
curse by Withholding appropria- :,
ions for representatives. of the r
nitedStates in certain foreign !;
and for certain consul : :,
IN officers, and by reducing the :,
mount usually appropriated for I
he Observation-Disclosures were y
;suedto the representatives Of i
he United States Bolivia, Ecua-1 =
or, and Columbia, and to the y
onsular officers for whom no ap- r
ropriations had been made to :,
lose their respective legation = !,
nd consulates and cease from 4
he performance Of their duties; 2
ndln like manner steps where =,
Immediately taken to substitute ~ y.
'atyss &g6airs for Ministers, resi- = !,