New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-03
and their participation in the elections not per-
mitted to be either general or free.
A SUBJECT FOR INVESTIGATION.

lt Will be for the Congress for which these cleo
| tons were held to make such examinations into
their conduct as may be appropriate to determine
the validity of the claims of members to their seats
In the meanwhile it becomes the duty of the Execu-
| tive and Judicial Departments of the Government,
each in its province to inquire into and punish vio-
ations of the laws of the United States which have
occurred. can but repeat what said in this con-
nection in my last message, that whatever author
ty rests with to this end shall not hesitate to
! put forth, and am unwilling to forego renewed
| appeal to the Legislatures the courts the execu-
tive authorities and the people of the States where
these wrongs have been perpetrated, TO give their
assistance toward bringing TO justice tie offenders
and preventing a repetition of the crimes. No
| means within my power will be spared to obtain
full and fair investigation of the alleged crimes, and
to secure the convection aud just punishment OF the
guilty.
1t is to be observed that the principal appro.
priation 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 February
twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and seventy -one,
entitled An act to amend an act approved May
thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy. entitled
An act to enforce the rights of citizens Of the United
States to vote in the several States Of the Unon and
for other purposes or any acts amendatory thereof
or supplementary thereto"
1t is the opinion Of the Acknowledgement that tho
expenses Of these proceedings will largely exceed
the amount which was thus provided, and l rely
confidently upon Congress to make adequate appro-
priations to enable the Executive Department to
enforce the laws.
respectfully urge upon your attention that the
Congressional elections in every district. III very
important sense, ere justly matter of political
interest and concern throughout the whole cOun-
try 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 pre-
scribed by law, to cast one unintinidated ballot,
and to have his ballot honestly counted. SO long
as the Of this power and the enjoyment OK
tins right are common and equal, practically rs
well formally, submission to the results OF the
suffrage will be accorded Loyalty and cheeTtuy and
all the departments of Government will feel the
true YIgor of the popular will thus expressed. No
temporary administrative interests of Govern
ment however urgent or weighty, Will ever dis
place the zeal of our people in defence of the pr-
mary rights of citizenship. They understand that
the protection of liberty requires the maintenance,
in full vigor, Of the manly methods OF free speech,
free press and free suffrage, and w sustain the
full ukhority of Government to enforce the laws
which are framed to preserve these inestlnable
rights. The material progress and welfare of the
States depend the protection afforded TO their
citizens. There can be no peace without such pro-
lection, 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 es-
tranged feel absolute assurance that the ten
denotes are in that direction, and with increas-
| ing force The power of public opinion viii over
ride all political prejudices. and all sectional or
State attachments, in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character OF citizens
of the United States shall mean one and the same
| thing, and carry with them unchalenged security
and respect.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with other countries continue peace
full. 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 citizens, The brief period allowed for the
preparation and arrangement of the contributions
of our citizens to this great Exposition well
employed in energetic and iudicious efforts to
come this disadvantage. These efforts, led and de
rected by the Commissioner-General, were remark
ably successful, and the exhibition of the products
of American industry creditable and gratifying
in scope and character The reports of the United
States Commissioners, giving its results III 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 use
full and important results in promoting intercourse,
friendship and commerce with other nations.
In accordance with the provisions of the act Of
February %, 1878, three commissioners were APP
pointed to an International conference on the sub,
iect of adopting a common ratio between gold and
silver for the purpose of establishing nternaton-
ally, the use of bimetac money, and securing
fxity of relative value between those metals.
limitations were addressed TO the various Govern
ments which had expressed willingness to parici-
pate in its deliberations. The conference held its
meetings in Paris, in August last The report of
the commissioners, herewith submitted. VIII show
its results. No common ratio between gold and sll-
yer could be agreed upon by the conference. Inc,
a1ttoinn
sary to maintain IN the world the monetary func-
tions of silver well as of gold leaving the selec-
ton of the use of one or the other OF these two
metals, or of both, TO be made by each State.
THE HALIFAX AWARD.
Congress having appropriated at its last session
the sum of $5,500,000 to pay the award of the
Joint Commission at Halifax, it, after correspond
ence with the British Government, on the subject
of the conformity 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, COM
municatons 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 q
notice of the grounds of the payment, and pro-
test against any other construction of the same.
Tho correspondence upon this subject will be laid
before you.
The Spanish Government has officially announced
tbe 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 we'll founded. Numerous claims of
American citizens for relief for Injuries or restora
ton of property have been among the incidents OF
the long-continued hostiIities: Some of these
claims are in process of adjustment by Spain, and