The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-12-12


pal appropriation made for the u .part
ment of Justice at the lat session con.
tained the following clarse: "And fOi
defraying the expenses which may be
incurred in the enforcement of the act
approved February 2Sth, 1871, entitled
An act to amend an act approved
May 18th, 1870, entitled An act to en-
force the rights of citizens of United
States 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 Cen
eral that the expenses of these pro.
ceedings will largely exceed the
amount which was thus provided, and
I rely confidently upon congress to
able the Executive Department to en-
force the laws.
1 respectfully urge upon your atten.
ton that the congressional elections in
evely district, in a very Important
sense, are justly matter of political
interest and concern throughout the
whole country. Each STATE, every po-
litical party, is entitled to the share OF
power which is conferred by the legal
and constitutional suffrage. It is the
right of every citizen possessing the
qualifications prescribed by law, 10 cast
one unintjmidated 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 form
ally, submission to the results of the
suffrage will be accorded loyalty and
cheerfully, and all the departments OF
government will feel the true vigor OF
the popular will thus expressed. Nc
temporary or administrative interests
of government. however urgent OF
weighty, will ever displace the zeal OF
our people in defense of the primary
rights OF citizenship. They understand
that the protection of liberty requires
the maintenance, in full vigor, of the
many methods of free speech, free
press, aud free suffrage, and will sus-
tain the full authority of the govern
ment 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 without such
protection, no prosperity without peace,
and the whole country is deeply inter
terested in the growth and prosperity
Of all its parts.
While the country has not yet reach
ell complete unity of feeling and re-
ciprOcal confidence between the COM
munities SO lately and seriously es-
tranged, / feel an absolute assurance
that the tendencies are in that direc-
tion, and with increasing force. The
power of public opinion will override
all political prejudces, and al! sectional
or state attachments, in demanding
that all over our wide territory the
NJ, osf Nf
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 respected.
The Universal Exposition held al
Paris during the past summer has been
attended by large numbers of our citi-
zens. The brief period allowed for the
preparation and arrangement of the
contributions of our citizens to this
great Exposition was we'll employed in
energetic and judiciOus efforts to over
come this disadvantage. These efforts
led and directed by the Commissioner
General, were remarkably successful
and the exhibition of the products O
American industry was creditable ant
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 partici.
patton in this international cOmpeti
ton for the favor and trade of tht
world may be expected to produce use
full aud important results, in promoting
intercourse, friendship, and commerce
with other nations.
In accordance with the provisions o
the act of February 2Sth, 1878, thre,
commissioners were appointed to al
international conference on the sub
ject of adopting a common ratio be
tween gold aud silver, for the purpos,
of establishing, internationally, tn,
use of bimetallic money, and securin.
fiXity of relative value between thOs,
metals.
Invitations were addressed to tn,
various governments which had eX
pressed Willingness to participate il
its deliberations. The conference hell
its meeting in Paris, August last. Th
report OF the commissioners, herewith
submitted, will show its result. N
common ratio between gold and silvG
could be agreed upon by the confer
ence. The general conclusion wa
reached that it is necessary to main
tain in the world the monetary func
ing the selection of the use of one o
the other of these two metals, or O
both, to be made by each state.
Congress having appropriated at it
last session the sum of So 500, 900 to pa,
the award of the Joint Commission a
Halifax, if, after correspondence will
the British government, on the subjec
of the conformity of the award to tn,
requirements of the treaty and to tn
terms of the question thereby submit
ted to the commission, the Presiden
shall deem it his duty to make the pay
ment, communications upon thes
points were addressed to the British
government through the legation o
the United States AT London. Failin,
TO obtain the concurrence of the Brit
ish government in the views of thi
government respecting this award,
have deemed it my duty to tender tn
sum named, within the year fixed b,
the treaty, accompanied by a notice o
the grounds OF the payment, and a pro
test against any other construction q
the same. The correspondence upol
this subject will he laid before you.
The Spanish government has official
1y announced the termination of til
insurrection in Cuba, and the restOra
ton of peace throughout that island
COnhuelit expectations are expressed q
a revival OF trade and prosperity, whic
it is earnestly hoped may be weiltound
ed. Numerous claims of America
citizens for relief for injuries or restoi
alton of property. have been anon
the incidents of the long continue
hOstilities. Some of these claims ar
in process of adjustment 10y Spain, an
the others are promised early and care
full consideration.
The treaty made with Italy, in re
gard to reciprocal consular privilege:
has been duly ratified and proclaimed
No questions of grave importanc
have arisen with any other of the Et
rOpean powers.
The Japanese government las bee
| desirOus of II revision of such parts {
its treaties with foreign powers as RI
late to commerce, and it is understoo
| has addressed to each of the treat
powers request TO open negotiation
with that view. The United State
government has been inclined to r,
gard the matter favorably. Whateve
restrictions upon trade with Japan al
found injurious to that people cannt
but affect iDjuriously nations holdin