The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-12-12
It's to be observed that the principal sppro
priation made for
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


at the last session contained the following
clause. "And for defraying the expenses
which may pe incurred in the enforcement
of the act approved February %, 1871, en-
titled An act to amend an act approved
May 80, 1870, entitled an act to enforce the
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 9nd supplementary thereto" 1t is
the opinio' Of the Attorney.General that
the exD s.s of these proceedings will
largely excel the amount which was thus
provided, and rely confidently upon Con,
gress to make adequate appropriations to
enable the Executive Department to enforce
the laws. respectfully urge upon your
attention. hat
THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
in every district, in every important sense,
are justly Il matter of political interest and
concern 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. IL is
the right OF every citizen, possessing the
necessary 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 enjoy
ment OF this right are common aud equal,
practically as well as formally, submission
to the results of the suffrage will be accord
ed Loyalty and cheertully and all depart.
ments of the Government will feel the true
vigOr OF the popular will thus expressed.
No temporary or administrative interests of
government, however urgent or weighty,
will ever displace the zeal of our people in
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 government to enforce the
laws which are framed to preserve these
inalienable rights. The material progress
and welfare CT the States depend on the
protection afforded 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 COM.
PLETE UNITY OF FEELING,
and reciprocal confidence between the com.
munities so lately and so seriously estranged,
] feel an absolute assurance that the ten.
denotes are in that direction, and with
increasing force. The power of public
opinion will override all prejudces, and all
sectional or State attachments, in demand
ing that over our wide territory the name
and character of citizen OF the United
Sta ties shall mean one and the same thing,
and carry with them unchallenged security
and respect. Our relations with other
countries continue peaceful.
OUR NEUTRALITY
in contests between foreign powers has been
maintained and respected
THE UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION
held at Paris during the past summer, has
been attended by large numbers of our cit
izens The brief period allowed for the
preparation and arrangement of the contri.
buttons of our citizens to this great exposi'
ton was well employed in energetic and
! judicious efforts to overcome this disadvan-
, tage. These efforts, led and directed by
the commissioner general, were remarkably
successful. and the exhibition of the
products of American industry was credits
able and gratifying in scope and character
The reports of the United States commits
sioners, giving its results in detail, will be
duly laid before you. Our participation in
this international competition for the favor
and the trade of the world may be expected
to produce useful and important results, in
promoting intercourse, friendship and cons
merce with other nations. In accordance
with the provisions of the act of February
| 28, 1878, three commissioners were appointed
| to an international conference on the subject
OF adopting
COMMON RATIO BETWEEN GOLD AND
SILVER,
for the purpose of establishing, interna>
tionally, the use of bimetallic money, and
securing fxity of relative value between
these metals. Invitations were addressed
to the various governments which had
expressed willingness to participate in
its deliberations. The conference held its
meetings in Paris, in August last. The
report OF the commission ers, herewith
submitted, will show its results. NOcOmmon
ratio between gold and silver could be agreed
upon by the conference. The general conclu.
sion was reached that it was necessary TO
maintain in the world the monetary functions
silver as well as of gold leaving the sci, elton
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 S. 100000 to pay the
award of
THE JOINT COMMISSION AT HALIFAX,
If, after correspondence with the British
government, on the subject OF the conforms.
| ity of the award to the requirements of the
treaty and to the terms of the question
thereby submitted to the commission, the
President shall deem it his duty to 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 government respecting the award, |
have deemed it my duty to tender the sum
named, within the year fixed by the treaty
accompanied by notice of the grounds of
the payment, and protest against any
other construction of the same. The cor.
respondence upon this subject will be laid
before you. The Spanish government has
officially announced: the termination of the
instruction in Cuba, and the restoration of
peace throughout that island. Confident
expectations are expressed of revival of
trade and prosperity, which it is earnestly
hoped may prove well founded. Numerous
claims of American citizens for relief for
injuries or restoration of properly, have
been among the incidents of the long.
continued hOstilities. Some of these claims
are in process of adjustment by Spain, and
the others are promised early and careful
consideration, The treaty made with Italy,
in regard to reciprocal consular privileges,
has been duly ratified ond proclaimed. No
questions of grave Importance have arisen
with any other Of the European powers.
The japanese government has been DESTROYS
OF a revision Of such parts OF its treaties
with foreign powers as relate to commerce,
and, it is understood, has addressed to each
OF the treaty powers request to open
negotiations with that view. The United
States government has been inclined to
regard the matter favorably. Whatever
restrictions upon trade with Japan are
| fz,,J ;n;u IN that npoplp cannot but