Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-12-06


ever dispace the zeal of our people in the de-
Tense of the primary rights Of citizenship.
They understand that the protection of liber-
ty requires the maintenance, in full vigor, of
the manly methods of free speech, free press
and free suffrage, and will sustsin the full
authority of government to enforce the laws
which are framed to preserve these inestima-
BILE rights. The material progress and wei
fare 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 interested in the growth and prosperi-
ty of all its parts
While the country has not yet reached
complete unity of feeling and reciprocal con-
fidence between the communities SO lately
and so seriously estranged, feel an absolute
assurance that the tendencies are in that di-
rection, and with increasing force. The
power of public opinion will override all po-
litical prejudices and all sectional or State
attachments, in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character of cit
izen of the United States shall mean one and
the same thing, and carry with them unchal-
lenged security and respect.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with other countries continue
foreign powers has been maintained and re-
spected. The universal exposition held at
Paris during the past summer has been at
tended by large numbers of our citizens. The
brief period allowed for the preparation and
of the contributions of our citi-
zens to this great exposition was well employ
ed in energetic and judcous efforts to over
come this disadvantage. These efforts, led
and directed by the commissioner general,
were remarkably successful, and the exhibit
ton of the products of American industry
was crediable and gratifying in scope and char
acter. The reports of the United States COM
missioners 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 COM
merce with other nations
In accordance with the provisions of the
act of February 2S, 1878, three commission
ers were appointed to an international confer
ence ON the subject of adopting common
ratio between gold and silver, for the purpose
of establishing, internationally, the use of
bmetallic money, and securing iixity of rela-
tive value between these metals. Invitations
were addressed to the various governments
which had expressed willingness to partici-
pate in its deliberations. The conference
held its meetings in Paris in August last. The
report of the commissioners. herewith sub
mitted, will show its results No common
ratio between gold and silver could be agreed
upon by the conference. The general con-
clusion was reached that it is necessary to
maintain in the world the monetary functions
of silver rs 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.
Congress having appropriated ut its last
session the sum of 81, 800, 600 to pay the
award of the joint commission at Halifax, if.
after correspondence with the British govern
ment, on the subject of the conformity of the
award to the requirements of the treaty, and
to the terms of the question thereby submit
ted TO the commission, the President shall
deem it his duty to make the payment, COM
munlcatlons upon these points were address
ed to the British government through the lc-
CATION of the United States mt London. Fail
ing to obtain the concurrence of the British
government in the views of this Government
respecting the award, l have deemed it my
duty 10 tender the sum named, within the
year fixed by the treaty, accompanied by n
notice of the grounds of the payment, and II
protest against any other construction of the
same. The correspondence upon this subject
will be laid before you.
The Spanish Government has officially M
the termination of the instruction
in Cuba, and the restoration of peace through
out that island. Confident expectations are
expressed of a revival of trade and prosperity
which is earnestly hoped may prove well
founded. Numerous claims of American citi-
zens for relief for injuries or restoration of
have been among the incidents of
the long-continued hostilities. Some of these
claims are i'll process of adjustment by Spain.
and the others are promised early and careful
The treaty made with Italy, in regard to
reciprocal consular privileges has been duly
ratified and proclaimed. No questions of grave
Importance have arisen with any other of the
European powers.
The Japanese Government has been desir-
GUS of n revision of such parts of its treaties
with foreign powers rs relate to commerce,
and, it is understood, has addressed to each
of the treaty powers requst to open nego-
tiations with that view. The United States
Government has been inclined to regard the
matter favorably Whatever restrictions up
on trade with Japan are found injurious
to that people cannot but affect injuriously
nations holding commercial intercourse with
them Japan, after long period of seclu-
iNiii hA' "A'i'iA NV la0t A'N gthih nlult nap
id 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 as
to those which they hold with each
other. treaty looking to this end las been
made, which will he submitted for the consid
Grafton of the Senate.
After an interval of several years. the
Chinese Government has again sent envoysto
the United States. They have been received,
and permanent legation is now established
here by that Government. 1t is not doubted
hat this step will be of advantage to both ma
tons in promoting friendly relations and re-
moving causes of difference. The treaty with
the Samoan Islands, having been duly ratified
and accepted on the part of both Govern
ments, is now in operation, and survey and
of the harbor of Pago-Pago have
been made by naval vessel of the United
States, with view of its occupation as a na-
val station, if found desirable to the service
Since the resumption of diplomatic rela-
lions with Mexico, correspondence has been
opened and still continues between the two
Governments upon the various questions
which at one time seemed to endanger their
relations. While no formal agreement has
been reached as to the troubles on the bor-
der, much has been done to repress and di
ilulSu luell. Inc tHecllNe force oil United
States troops ON the Rio Grande, by a strict
md faithful compliance with instructions, has
lone much to remove the sources of dispute,
md it is now understood that a like force of
Mexican troops on the other side Of the river
S also making an energetic movement against
he marauding Indian tribes. This Govern
nent looks with the greatest satisfaction up
)n every evidence of strength in the national
of Mexico, and upon every effort
put forth to prevent or to punish incursions
lpon our territory. Reluctant to assume any
action or attitude in the control of these in
by military movements across the
border, not imperatively demanded for the
protection of the lives and property of our
,wn citizens, shall take the earliest oppor-
unity consistent with the proper discharge of
his plain duty to recognize the ability of the
Mexican Government TO restrain effectively
rotations of our territory. 1t is proposed to
lold next year an International Exhibition in
Mexico, and it is believed that the display of
he agricultural and manufacturing products
If the two nations will tend to better under