Year: 1878

of the Attorney General that the expenses of
these proceedings will largely exceed the
amount which was thus provided, and rely
confidently upon Congress to make adequate
appropriations to enable the executive de-
partment to enforce the laws. respectfully
urge your attention that congressional cleo
tions in every district, in very important
sense, are justly matter of political interest
and concern throughout the whole country.
Each State and every political party is enti-
tied to the share of power which is conferred
by legal and constitutional suffrage and it is
the right of every citizen possessing the
qualifications prescribed by law to cast one
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 wen as formally, submission to the
results of the suffrage will be accorded 10y
ally and cheerfuliy, and all the departments
of the government will feel the true vigor of
the popular will thus expressed. No tempo
rary or administrative interests of the gov
ernment, however urgent or weighty, will
ever display the zeal of our people in the
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 the government 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 with
out such protection, no prosperity without
peace, and the whole country is deeply inter-
ested in the growth and prosperity of all its
parts. While the country has not yet reached
complete unity of feeling and reciprocal con-
fdence between the communities so lately
and SC seriously estranged, I feel an absolute
assurance that the tendencies are in that
direction, and with increasing force the pow
er of public opinion will override all politi-
cal prejudice and all sectional or State at
tachments in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character of a
citizen of the United States shall mean one
and the same thing, and carry with them dn-
challenged security and respect.


Our relations with other countries continue
peaceful. Our neutrality in contests between
foreign powers has been maintained and re-
spected.


THE PARIS EXPOSITION.


The universal exposition held at Paris dur
ing the past summer has been attended by
large numbers of our citizens. The brief
period allowed for the preparation and ar
of the contributions of our citi-
zens to this great exposition was well en-
ployed in energetic and judicious efforts to
overcome this disadvantage. These efforts,
led and directed by the commissioners gen.
eral, were remarkably successful, and the
exhibition of products of American industry
was creditable and gratifying IN scope and
character. The reports of the q. S. conf
giving its results in detail, will
be duly laid before you. Our participation
in this international competition for the fa-
vor and the trade of the world may be ex-
pected to produce useful and important re-
suits in promoting intercourse, friendship
and commerce with other nations.


THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.


In accordance with the provisions of the
act of Febrnaay 2S. 1878, three commission
ers were appointed to the International con-
ference on the subject of the adoption of a
ratio between gold and silver. for
the purpose of establishing internationally
the use Of bi-metallic money, and securing a
fxity of the relative value between those
metals. Invitations were addressed to the
various governments which had expressed
willingness to participate in its deliberations.
The conference held it's meeting in Paris in
August last. The report of the commission
ers herewith submitted will show its results.
No common ratio between gold and silver
could be agreed upon by the conference. A
general conclusion was reached that it is
to maintain in the world the mon
etary functions of silver as well 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.


THE HALIFAX AWARD.


Congress appropriated at its last session the
sum of $5, 500, 900 TO pay the award of the
joint commission at Halifax, if after cores
pondence with the British government on
the subject of conformity of the award to the
requirements of the treaty and to the terms
of the question thereby submitted to the
the President shall ,leem it his
duty to make payment. Communications
upon these points were addressed to the Brit
ish government through the legation of the
United States at London. Failing to OBJ
tain the concurrence of the British govern
ment in the views of the government respect
ing this award, l have deemed it 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 sgainsi
any other construction of the same. Cores
pondence upon this subject will be laid be-
fore you.


CUBA AND THE WAR CLAIMS OF AMERICANS.


The Spanish government has officially an.
nounced the termination of the insurrection
in Cuba and the restoration of peace through.
out that island. Confident expectations are
expressed of the revival of trade and pros.
perity, which it Is earnestly hoped may
prove well founded. Numerous claims Of
American citizens for relief for injuries Oh
restoration OF property have been among the
incidents of the long continued hostilities
Some of these claims are in process of ad
iustment " Spain and the others are prom
ised an fairly consideration.


THE TREATY WITH ITALY.


Th treaty made with Italy in regard tc
reciprocal treaty consular privileges has
been duly ratified and proclaimed. No ques-
tions of grave importance have arisen with
any of the other European powers.


RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.


The Japanese government has been de
sirous of the revision of such parts OF it
treaties with foreign powers as relate tc
commerce, and it is understood, has address
ed to each of the treaty powers request te
open negotiations with that view. The Uni
ted States government has been inclined te
regard the matter fayorably. Whatever re
strictions upon trade with Japan, ale foune
injurious to that people cannot but affect IN
j,iriously nations holding commercial inter
course with them. Japan, after q Ions
period Of seclusion, has within the past few
years made rapid strides in the path OF en-
hghtment and progress, and is not unreason
ably looking forward to the time when hel
relations with the nations of Europe ano
America shall be assimilated to those which
they hold with each other. A treaty looking
to this end has been made which will b.
submitted for the consideration of the Sen
ate.