The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-12-05

ecutiye and Judicial Departments of the
Government, each in its province, to inquire
into and punish violations of the laws of
the United States which have occurred. I
can hut repeat what l said in this connec-
tion in my last message, that whatever au-
thority rests with me to this end shall not
hesitate to put forth, and / am unwilling to
forego a renewed appeal to the legislatures,
the courts, the executive auth critics, and
the people of the States where these wrongs
have been perpetrated, to give their assist
ance toward bringing to justice the offend
ers, and preventing a repetition of the
crimes. No means within my power will
be spared to obtain full and fair investiga-
ton of the alleged crimes, and to secure the
conviction and just punishment of the
guilty.
1t is to be observed that the pri ncipal
appropriation made for tie Department OF
Justice at the last session con tanned the fol-
lowing clause: "And in defraying the ex-
penses which may be incurred for the en-
forcement of the act approved February
%, 1871, entitled An act to amend an act
approved May 80. 1870, entitled an act to en-
force the rights of the United States to vote
in the several States of the Union, and for
other purposes or any act amendatory
thereof or supplementary thereto"
1t is the opinion of The Attorney Gen.
eral tEat the expense of the proceedings
will largely exceed the amount which was
thus provided, and rely confidently upon
Congress to make adequate appropriations
to enable the Executive Department to en-
force the laws.
| respectfully urge upon your attention
that the Congressional elections, in every
district, in very important sense, are
Justly matter of political interest and con-
Germ throughout the whole country. Each
State, every political party, is entitled to
the share of power which is conferred by
the legal and constitutional suffrage. 1t 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
well as formally, submission to the results
of the suffrage will be accorded Loyalty and
cheerfully, and all the depal tments of Gov.
ernment will feel the true vigor of the pop
ular will thus expressed. No temporary or
administrative interests OF Government,
however urgent or weighty will ever dis
place the zeal of our people in defense of
the primary rights of citizenship. They un-
derstand that the protection of liberty re-
quires the maintenance, the full vigor, of
the manly methods OF free speech, free
press, and suffrage, and will sustain the full
authority of Government to enforce the
laws which are framed to preserve these es-
timable rights. The material progress and
welfare of the States depend on the pro-
lection afforded to their citizens. There
can be no peace without such protection,
no prosperity without peace, and the whole
country is deeply interested in the growth
and prosperity of all its parts.
While the country has not yet reached
complete unity OF feeling and reciprocal
confidence between the communities so
lately and so seriously entangled, | feel an
kl.,A4 H. @arl
in that direction, and with increasing force.
The power of public opinion will override
all political prejudices, and all sectional
or State attachments, in demanding that all
over our wide territory the name and char
acter of citizen of the United States shall
mean one and the same thing, and carry
with them unchallenged security and re-
spect
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with otner countries con-
tinue peaceful. Our neutrality in contests
between foreign powers has been main
tanned and respected.
The Universal Exposition held at Paris
during the past summer hes been attended
by large numbers of our citizens. The brief
period allowed for the preparation and ar
rangement of the contributions of our
citizens to this great Exposition was well
employed in energetic and judlcions efforts
to overcome this disadvantage. These ef-
forts led and directed by the Commissioner
General, were remarkably successful and
the exhibition of the products of American
industry was creditable and gratifying in
scope and char cter. The reports of the
United States Commissioners, giving its re-
suits in detail, will be duly laid before you.
Our participation in this International COM
petition for the favor and the trade of the
world may be expected to produce useful
and important results, in promoting inter-
course, friendship and commerce with other
nations.
In accordance with the provisions of the
act of February %, 1878, three commits
sioners we're appointed to an international
conference on the subject of adopting a
common ratio between gold and silver, for
the purpose of establishing information
ally, the use Of the bimetallic money, and
securing fxity of relative value between
| those metals.
Invitations were addressed to the various
governments which had expressed willing
| ness to participate in its deliberations.
| The conference held its meetings in Paris
| in August last. The report OF the Commits.
| sioners herewith submitted will show its
results. No common ratio between gold
| and silver coin could be agreed upon by the
Conference. The general conclusion was
| reached that it is necessary to maintain In
the world the monetary functions of silver
as well as of gold, leaving the selection OF
the use of one or the other OF these two
metals, or of both, to be made by each
State.
Congress having appropriated at its las
session the sum of 5,500,000 to pay thu
award of the Joint Commission at Halifax
if, after correspondence with the British
Government, on the subject of the conform
ity of the award to the requirements of tht
treaty and to the terms of the question
| II l. L. l..
President shall deem it his duty to max
the payment, communications upon thes
points were addressed to the British Gov
ernment through the legation OF the Unite'
States at London. Failing to obtain tn
concurrence of the British Government il
the views of this Government respectin
the award, have deemed it my duty t
tender the sum named within the yea
fixed by the treaty, accompanied by nc
: tice of the grounds of the payment, and
protest against any other construction Q
the same. The correspondence upon thi
subject will be laid before you.
! The Spanish Government has oficiall
: announced the termination of the insure
r ton in Cuba, and the restoration of peae
t throughout that island. Confident expect
;, tions are expressed of a revival of trade an
/ prosperity, which it is earnestly hoped ma
Z prove well founded. Numerous claims
e American citizens for relief for injuries
a restoration of property, have been amor
e the incidents of the long-continued ho
e tilities. Some of these claims are in proce
= of adjustment by Spain, and the othe
s are promised early and careful consider
e ton.
j The treaty made with Italy, in regard
d reciprocical consular privileges, has be-
e duly ratiied and proclaimed.
o No questions of grave importance ha
G arisen with any other of the Europe
u powers.
,. The japanese Government has been c
e sirous of a revision of such parts of
d treaties with foreign powers as rela.e
a commerce, and, it is understood, has 6
VI dressed to each of the treaty powers a
.e quest to open negotiations with that vie
m The United States Government has been
a clined to regard the matter favorab
le Whatever restrictions upon trade wi
le Japan are found injurious to that peop
lie can not but effect iniuriously nations hi
1s ing commercial intercourse with tue
lie Japan, after a long period of seclusion,
H. within the past few years made raj
as | atr;da. tla v,afh nf iohf hfan vnapf n