The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-12-07

| and preventing a repetition OF the crimes.
| No means within my power will be spar
| ed to obtain a full and fair investigation
Of the alleged crimes, and to secure the
conviction and just punishment of the
guilty.
1t IS to be observed that the principal
appropriation made for the Department
of Justice at the last session contained
the following clause: And for defraying
the expenses which may be incurred in
the enforcement of the act approved Feb
ruary IS, 1871, entitled, San act to amend
an act approved May 80, 1870, entitled an
act to enforce the rightBpf citizens of
the United States to vote in the several
States of the Union, and for other pur-
poses, or any acts amendatory thereof or
supplementary thereto
1t is the opinion of the Attorney Gen
eral that the expenses of these proceed
ings will largely exceed the amount which
was thus provided, and | rely confidently
upon Congress to make adequate appro-
priations to enable the Executive De-
partment to enforce the laws.
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS.
respectfully urge upon your attention
that the Congressional elections, in every
district, in a very important sense, are
justly IL matter of political interest and
concern throughout the whole country.
Each State, every political party is enti-
tleu to the share of power which is con-
ferred by the legal and constitutional
suffrage. 1t is the right Of every citizen,
possessing the qualification 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,
f.st
will be accorded loyalty and cheerfully,
and all the departments of Government
will feel the true vigor of the popular will
thus expressed. otemporary or admin
istrative interests of Government, how
ever urgent or weighty, will ever displace
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, in full vigor, OF
the manly methods of free speech, free
press and free suffrage. and will sustain
the full authority of Government to EN-
force the laws which are framed to pre-
serve these ineStimable rights. The ma
terial progress and welfare of the States
depend on the protection afforded to their
citizens. There can he no peace wthOu.
such protection afforded 10 their prOtec-
ton, 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 80
lately aud 50 seriously estranged, feel
an absolute assurance that the tendeu-
cies are in that direction, and with in
creaslng force. The power Of public
opinion will override all political preju-
diccS, and all sectional or State attach
menlS. in demanding that all over our
wide territory thr name and character of
citizen of the United States Shall mean
one and the same thing, and carry with
them unchallenged security and respect.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with other countries con-
tinue peaceful Our neutrality in con-
tests between foreign powers has been
maintained and respected.
The Universal Exhibition held ut Paris
during the past summer has been attend
ed by large numbers of our citizens. The
brief period allowed for the preparation
and arrangement OF the contributions of
our citizens to this great Exposition WAS
well employed III energetic and judiciOuS
efforts 10 overcome this disadvantage.
These efforts, led and directed by the
Commissioner General, were remarkably
successful and the exhibitions of the pro-
ducts OF American industry were credit
able and gratifying in scope and charac-
tor. The reports of the United States
commissioners, giving Its results in de
tail, Will be duly LAID before YOU. Our
participation III this international com
petition for the favor aud the trade of the
world may he expected to produce useful
and important results, IN promoting in
terCOnSe. friendship and commerce with
other nations
In accordance with the provisions of
the act of February -. 1875 three Com
miSsioncrs were appointed to m n'prna-
tlOnal conference ON the subject of adopt
ing u common ratio between gold and sill
Vcr, for the purpose OF establishing in
ternationally the use of blmetallic money,
and securing liNiIy Of relative value be-
tween those metals.
Invitations were addressed To the vari-
Gus Governments which had expressed "a
Willingness to participate in its deIibera-
tons. The conference held its meetings
in Paris III August last. The report of
the Commissioners, herewith submitted
viii show It's results. No common ratio
between gold and silver coin could be
agreed upon 10y the conference. The gen
eral conclusion was reached that it is ne
CesSary To maintain in the world the
monetary functions of silver rs well AS of
gold, leaving the selection of the use of
one or the other of these two metals. or
of both, To b" made by each state.
Congress having appropriated. ut its
last session, 50, 600 to pay the award of
the Joint Commission IT Halifax. if. af-
ter correspondence with the British Gov
eminent. on the subject of the conform
iJy Of the award to the requirements of
the treaty and To the terms of the cues
ton thereby submitted 10 the Commits
sion. the President shall deem it his duty
10 make the payment, communications
upon these points were addressed to the
British Government through the legation
of the United States at London. Failing
to obtain the concurrence of the British
Government in the views of this Govern
mcnt respecting the award, have deemed
it my duty 10 tender the sum named
within the wear fixed by the treaty. ac-
companied bya notice of the grounds OF
the payment, and a protest against any
other construction OF the same. The
correspondence upon The subject will be
laid before You.
The Spanish Government has officially
4 Al.