The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-03

Oh power which Is conferred By the legal
and constitutional suffrage. 1t Is the right
OF every citizen possessing the qualiiica-
lions vrescra bed By law to Cast one unintfmi-
dated ballot, and to have his ballot honestly
counted. iSc; long sas the exercise OF this
power and the enjoyment oil this right are
common and equal, practically as well as
formally, submission to the results OF
the suffrage will be accorded loyalty
and cheeriulIy, and all The departments
at Government Mill feel the true vigor
OF the, popular will thus expressed.
No Temporary or administrative inter-
ests of Government, however urgent or
Eweighty, win ever dispIace the zeal OF
our people in defence OF the primary rights
OF citizenship. They understand that the
protection of liberty requires the mantle
nance, in foil vigor, OF the manly methods
OF free speech, free press, and free suffrage,
and will sustain the full authority OF Gov
eminent to enforce the laws which are
framed to preserve these inestimable rights.
The material progress and welfare OF the
States depend on the protection anordeo TO
their citizens. There can be no peace Win.
out such protection, no prosperity Without
peace, and the whole country is deeply in
terested in the growth and prosperity OF all
its parts.
While the country has not yet reached COM
plete unity OF feeling and reciprocal comb
dence between the communities so lately
and so seriously estranged, feel an abso'
lutte assurance that the tendencies are in
that direction, and with increasing force.
The power OF public opinion will override
all political prciudices, and all sectional or
State attachments, in demanding that ali
over our wide territory the name ana cnar,
acter OF citizens OF the United States snail
mean one and the same thing, and carry
with them unchallenged security and re-
spect.
Our relations with other countries con-
tinue peaceful. Our neutrality in contests
between foreign Powers has been main
tanned and respected. 80.
The Universal Exposition at Paris. during
the past summer has been attended by large
numbers OF our citizens. The Brief period
allowed for the preparation and arrange
ment OF the contributions OF our citizens
to this great Exposition was we'll employed
in energetic and iudicious efforts to over
come this disadvantage. These efforts, lea
and directed by the Commissioner General,
were remarkably successful, and the eXhi-
billion OF the products OF American INDUS
FRY was creditable and gratifying In scope
and character. The reports OF the United
States commissioners, giving its results In
detail, will be duly laid before you. Our
anticipation in this international compete
tion for the favor and trade OF the world
NAV be expected to produce useful and i'm
Dortant results in promoting intercourse,
friendship, and commerce with other ma
tons.
In accordance with the provisions OF the
act OF February %, 1878, three commission
ers were appointed to an international con-
ference on the subject OF adopting COM
mon ratio between gold and silver for the
purpose OF establishing internationally the
use OF bl-metalllc money, and securing hXlty
OF relative value between those metals.
Invitations were addressed to the various
Governments which. had expressed will
ingness 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 could be agreed upon by the con-
ference. The general conclusion was reach
world the monetary functions OF silver as
we'll 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 last
session the sum OF S5,500,000 to pay the
award of the Joint Commission at Halifax,
il, after correspondence with the British
Government on the subject of the conformi-
ty OF the award to the requirements OF the
treaty and to the terms OF the question there
by submitted to the Commission, the Presi-
dent shall deem it his duty to make the
payment, communications upon these
points were addressed to the British Gov
eminent through the legation OF the United
States at London. Failing TO obtain the
concurrence of the British Government In
the views OF this Government respecting
the award, have deemed 1t my duty to
tender the sum named within the year fixed
by the treaty, accompanied by notice OF
the grounds Of payment and a protest
against any other construction OF the same:
The correspondence upon this subject will
be laid before you.
The Spanish Government has official
ly announced the termination OF the
in Cuba, and the restora-
lion Of peace throughout that island.
Confident expectations are expressed OF
4 revival OF trade and prosperity, which
it is earnestly hoped may prove welliound-
ed. Numerous claims OF American CITIZENS
for relief for injuries or restoration OF pro-
perry have been among the incidents OF
continued hostilities. Some OF these
claims are in process OF adjustment by
Spain, and others are promised early and
careful consideration.
RI n
reciprocal consular privileges has been duly
ratified and proclaimed. .
"a No questions of grave importance have
arisen with any Of the European Powers. 3.
The Japanese Government has been de-
sirous of a revision OF such parts OF its
treaties with foreign Powers as relate to
commerce, and, it is understood, has ad-
dressed to each Of the treaty Powers re-
quest to open negotiations with that view.
The United States Government has been
inclined to regard the matter fayorably.
Whatever restrictions upon trade with
,Japan are found injurious to that people
cannot but affect iniuriously nations holding
commercial intercourse with them. Japan,
after q long period of seclusion, has within
the past few years made rapid strides in the
path OF enlightenment and progress, and,
not unreasonably, is looking forward to the
time when her relations with the nations OF
Europe and America shall be assimilated to
those which they hold with each other. A
treaty looking to this end has been made,
which will be submitted for the considers
ton OF the Senate. g.: -
After an interval of several years the Chi
Mise Government has again sent envovs to
the United States. They have been received,
and permanent legation is now established
here by that Government. tits not doubted
that this step will be OF advantage to both
nations in promoting friendly relations and