The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-12-12

for Congress, for which these elections were
held, to make such examination into their
conduct as may appropriately determine the
validity of the claims of members to their
seats. In the meantime it becomes the duty
of the executive and judicial departments of
the government, each in its province, to in
quire into and punish violations of the laws
of the United States which have occurred.
can but repeat what said in this connection
in my last message, that whatever authority
rests with me to this end l shall not hesitate
to put forth, and am unwilling to forego a
renewed appeal to the legislatures, the courts,
the executive authorities and the people of
the States where these wrongs have been
perpetrated, to give their assistance toward
bringing to justice the offenders and prevent
ing a repetition of the crimes. No means
within my power will be spared to obtain
full and fair investigation of alleged crimes,
and to secure conviction and just punish
ment of the guilty.
1t is to be observed that the principal ap-
preparation made for the department of JUS
tice ut the last session, contained the follow
ing clause: And for defraying the expenses
which may be incurred in the enforcement of
the act, approved February %, 1871, entitled
an act to amend an act approved May 80,
1870, entitled an act to enforce rights of
citizens of the United States to vote in the
several States of the union, and for other
purposes, or any acts amendatory thereof,
or supplementary thereto" 1t is the opinion
of the Attorney General that the expenses of
these proceedings will largely exceed the
amount which was thus provided, and / rely
confidently upon Congress to make adequate
appropriations to enable the executive de-
partment to enforce the laws. l respectfully
urge your attention that congressional cleo
tons in every district, in a very important
sense, are justly matter of political interest
and concern throughout the whole country.
Each State and every political party is enti-
tied to the share of power which is conferred
by legal and constitutional suffrage and it is
the right of every citizen possessing the
qualifications prescribed by law to cast one
unintimidated ballot and to have his ballot
honestly counted. So long as the exercise
of this power and the enjoyment of this
right are common and equal practically,
as we'll as formally, submission to the
results of the suffrage will be accorded 10y
ally and cheerfully, and all the departments
of the government will feel the true vigor of
the popular will thus expressed. No tempo
rary or administrative interests of the gov
eminent, however urgent or weighty, will
ever display the zeal of our people in the
defense of the primary rights of citizenship.
They understand that the protection of lib
erty requires the maintenance in full vigor
of the manly methods of free speech, free
press and free suffrage, and will sustain the
full authority of the government to enforce
the laws which are framed to preserve these
inestimable rights.
The material progress and welfare of the
States depend on the protection afforded to
their citizens. There can be no peace with
out such protection, no prosperity without
peace, and the whole country is deeply inter-
ested in the growth and prosperity of all its
parts. While the country has not yet reached
complete unity of feeling and reciprocal con-
tdence between the communities so lately
and sc seriously estranged, feel an absolute
assurance that the tendencies are in that
direction, and with increasing force the pow
er of public opinion will override all politi-
cal prejudice and all sectional or State at
tacbments in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character of a
citizen of the United States shall mean one
and the same thing and carry with them un-
challenged security and respect.
Our relations with other countries continue
peaceful. Our neutrality in contests between
foreign powers has been maintained and re-
spected.
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The universal exposition held at Paris dur
ing the past summer has been attended by
large numbers of our citizens The brief
period allowed for the preparation and ar
rangement of the contributions of our citi-
zens to this great exposition was well en-
ployed in energetic and judicious efforts to
overcome this disadvantage. These efforts,
led and directed by the commissioners gen.
eral, we're remarkably successful, and the |
exhibition of products of American industry |
was creditable and gratifying III scope and |
character. The reports of the .. $. COM
missioners, giving its results in detail, will !
be duly laid before you. Our participation |
in this international competition for the ia
vor and the trade of the world may be ex-
pected to produce useful and important re-
suits in promoting intercourse, friendship |
and commerce with other nations.
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.
In accordance with the provisions of the |
act of February rs, 1878, three commission
ers were appointed to the international con-
ference on the subject of the adoption of a
common ratio between gold and silver, for
the purpose of establishing internationally
the use of BIZ metallic money, and securing a
tixity of the relative value between those
metals. Invitations were addressed to the
various governments which had expressed
willingness to participate in its deliberations.
The conference held its meeting in Paris in
August last The report Of the commission
ers herewith submitted will show its results.
No common ratio between gold and silver
4 II