Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 25, Number 16, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 December 1875 — Page 9

AFFAIRS OF STATE.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

THE SEVENTH FROM GRANT.

An Elaborate Beriew of the Career

of the Great Republic for . the Last Century.

THE DOCUMENT

ADVOCATES THB TAXATION OF CHURCH PROPMSrT. THB MAINTENANCE OF FREE

KHOOLS. THB PRESERVATION OF THl

haci roucr toward other ratioss

AND DI8C0ÜBA8E8 TUB RECOGNITION of

THB BEIXIQBBSNT BIGHT OF CUBA, ETC t

To theSenal ncl House of Representatives:

In eubmltting my seventh annual message to ooncnn. in this the Centennial year of OUT

I Jority of la-a powsrs of ths world, rendering

practicable me peace! a l eolation or qeeetiona which from time la Um art, leaving a few

which demand extended or partlenlar notice. Tue oorres pondence of the department of state with omr diplomatic representative abroad la transmitted herewith. I am happy to announce the passage ef an act by the general

eorte of Portugal. proclaimed since the adjourn

ment or coagresa, lor we abolition or servitude In the Portuguese colonies. It la to fee hoped tbat such leglslatlen may be another step toward the great eomsummation to be reached when no

man enau be permitted, directly or Indirectly, ander any guise, excuse or form of law, to hold a Is fellow man In bandage. I aaa of the opinion, also, that It 1 the duty Of

the United States, ax eontiieail mg toward that end aad required by the spirit of the a?e la which we live, to provide by suitable leg

islation that no citizen of the United Btatea

shall hold slave as property la any other ceuntry or be interested therein. Chill has made reparation In the case of the whaleshlp "Uood Return," selaed without sufficient cause apward of u years ago. though she bad hitherto denied her accountability. The denial was never acquiesced In by this government and the Justice of the claim has been so earnestly contended for that It has been gratifying that she should have at laut acknowledged it. The arbitration in the case of fine United täte steamer MonlMJo, for the seizure and detention of which the government of the United H La tea of Colombia wan held accountable, has d elded la favor of the claim. IThla decision teas settled a qoelion Which has been pending for year and which, while It continued open, might more or

less disturb the good understanding which It Is desirable should be maintained between the republics. A reciprocity treaty with the king of the Hawaiian lsiands was concluded the same menth. As H contains a stipulation that ltsaail have no effect until eenarre shall

national existence as free and independent pee-

pie. it afford, me great pleasure to recur to tb. SZuJJSS!

advancessentthat has been made from the time I in order that. If BUeh should b the Pleasure Of

We

Of the colonies, one hundred years ago,

w. thn a nftonla numbering only three mi?

lion. Now we number more than forty million.

Then oar industries were eoonned almost exclu alvelv fnthn til I see of the soil. Now manufac-

turies absorb much of the labor of the country. Our liberties remain unimpaired, the bondjrken have been freed from slavery, - we have become Dossessed of the respect. If not

ta frlanrfiihln. of all civilized nations. Our

progress has been great In ail the arts, lC

science, commerce, navigation, mining, me

chanics, law, medicine, etc., and In general

education the progrtss la liaewiae en cou racing our thirteen states have become thirty-

eight, including Coloiado, which has

taken the steps to become a state.

and eta hi territories, lncluuiog the in

dlan Territory and Alaska, and exeludltg Oolorado, making a territory extending frrm the Atlantic to the Paclno. on the eeuth me

have extended to the gulf of Mexico, and In the

west from the Mississippi to;ae racinc. one a und red years ago the cotton gin, the steamship, the railroad, the telegraph, the reaping, sewing and modern printing machines, and numerous Other Indentions of acacely let value to oar

business and happiness, were entirely on known. In 177 our manufacturers scarc! v ex.

is ted even In name. On all this vast territory In 1370 more than two mlstlons or persons were employed In manutictures, producing more

than S2.lu0.uju,0uu of produce In amount annu

ally, nearly equal to our national debt, trom nearly the whole of the population of 1776 being engaged In one occupation, ef agriculture, in

iV7u so numerous and diversified had become the occupations of our people that less

loan six millions out or more tnsn forry millions were so engages!. The extraordinary effect produced in oar country by a resort to

sucn occupations nas Duut a market for the producta of fertile lands distant from the sea

board and the markets of the world. The A men

can system of working various and extensive manufactories, next to the plow and the pas

ture, and adding connecting railroads and steamboats, haa produced In our distant country a result not equalled by the intelligent parts

OI other nations. The ingenuity and skin of

American mechanics has been demonstrated at

home and abroad in a manner the most flatter

lng to their pride. But for the extraordinary genius and ability ef our mechanics the achievements of our agriculturalists, manufacturers and transporters throughout the country would

nave been impossiDie oi attainment. The PROGRESS OF THB UTNEB '

haa alao been great. Of coal, our production was small. Now many millions of tons are mined annually. So with Iron, which formed scarcely an appreciable part of our producta

half a century ago. We now produce more than

the world consumed at the beginning of cur na-

uenai existence, voaa, xinc ana copper, from being articles of imports, we may expect to be

ira exporters ot in me near mi are. The de

velopment oi tne goia ana silver mines through

out the states and territories haa not been remarkable, but has had a large Influence

upon ujb Business or an commercial nations.

Our mercnants in tne last hundred years have had a lueses and have established a reputa

tion ror enterprise, sagacity, progress and Integrity unsurpassed by the people of older nationalities. This good name Is not co mined to their homes, but goea out on every sea and Into every part where commerce enters. With equal pride we can point to our progress in all the learned professions. As we are now about to enter upon our second centennial, commencing our manhood as a nation, it is well to look: back, upon the past and study what it will be best to preserve and advance in our future greatness. From the fall of Adam, for his transgression, to the present day, no nation has Ter bZl free from threatened dangers to its prosperity and happiness. We lllODld loos: u the dangers thai threaten na and remedy them so far as it is In out

power. we re a repuono whereof

one man Is

Under such a tor

congress, the necessary legislation upon the subject may be adopted, in March last an arrangement was made through Sir. Cusbing.our

asinister in Madrid, with the epamsa govern-

raset for the payment by the latter

to the United fttatea ef the sum of

(30,000 In cela, for the purpose of the

relief of families or persans or the ship's com

pany and certain passengers of the Virginias This sum was to have been paid in three Installment. of two months each. It is due to the

Hpaalsh government that I should state tbat the payments were fully and speedily anticipated by that government and that the whole

amount was paid within but a few days of more than two mouths from the date of agreement, a

copy or which is herewith transmitted, in pursuance of the terms of the adjustment. I Lave directed the distribution of the amount among the parties entitled thereto, including the ship's company and auch ut the passengers

as were Americans 1 tee payments are made aeeerdlngly, en the application of the parties entitled thereto. The paper has furnished no avidenesof an apt rose hing end to the ruinous

conflict which has been latlmr for seven mn

In -

TUB NBIQHBOBINw ISLAND OF CUBA. The same disregard of the laws of civlllavd war

fare and of the just demands of humanity which have heretofore called forth expressions of condemnation from the nations of Chlstendom

have continued to blacken the sad scene of desolation, ruin and pillage pervading the rich fields of one of ths most fertile and pre

dictive rcgionsof the earth, and the Incendiary

wren, nrmg plantations ana valuable factories and buildings, is the agent marking tne alternate advance or retreat ef the contending par

ties. The protracted continuance of the strife

seriously affects the interests of all commercial

nations, nut these or the United taten mere than others by reason oi close proximity, its larger trade and intercourse with Cuba, and the frequent and Intimate personal and soaisl mix

tions Which have grown up between Its eltlsens and those of the Island. Moreover, the property

of our citizens in Cuba is large, and la

rendered Insecure and depreciated in aloe and In capacity of prod action by the

continuation of the strife and the annatural

mode of Its conduct. The same is true, differ

ing only in degree, with respect to the Interests

ana people oi other nations, ana the absence of

any reasonable assurance of a near termination

of the conflict must of nesesslry soon compel

tne states mus u oaring to consider what the Interests of this people and their duty toward themselves may demand. 1 have hoped that

fpatn wonld De enabled to establish peace in her colony, to afford security to the property and the interests of our citizens aad allow legitimate scone to trade and nnmnnrM

and the national productions of the island. Because of this hope and from an extreme reluctance to Interfere in the most remote manner In the affairs of another and friendly nation, especially of one whose sympathy and friendship in the struggling Infancy of our own iltn

must ever be remembered with gratitude, I have patiently and anxiously waited the progress of

events. Our own civil conflict is too recent for

not to consider the difficultly hth

surround a government distracted by a dynastic rebellion at noma at

the game time that it haa to none

with a separate Insurrection In a distant Miin

But whatever causes may have prod used the situation which so grievously affects our interests, it excites us with all lis attendant evils onerating directly upon this country and Its reebie.

Thus far all the resorts of BDaln have r raved

nltlon.butaa la its paat history, the United States should carefully avoid the falsa rights which might lead It Into the mases of doubtful law and of questionable propriety, end should adnata rlvldlT and sternly to the rule

whieh haa been its glide, and da

only that which Is right, and honest ana

Of good report. The question of according or

withdrawing meng bis oi otiugercacy must we

Judged in every caa in view of the particular

attending racta. unices jusunea oy necessity.

it Is always and lusuy regarded as an unfriendly

act and a gra tuition demonstration of moral support to the rebellion. - It la necessary and it is required - when the Interests and r fthta of another government or of its people are so far affected v - a pending . civil conflict.

aa to require a definition of

11 relations to the parties thereto. But this conflict must be one which will be recognised in the science of inter nallc aal law as belligerence. It too is a fact that the mere existence of eon-

tending armed bodies and their occasional conflicts do not constitute war In the sense referred to. Applying c the existing .condition of affairs In Cuba, the testa recognized by the Publicists and written in international law, and

which have been observed by nations of dignity, honesty and power, when free from sensitive, selvltth or unworthy motives, I fall to find la the insurrection. The existence of such a substantial

! political organisation, real oalpebleand manifest to the world, having the forma sad. capable of

the ordinary functions or government toward. Its own people and to other nates, with the

courts for he administration of Justice, with a local habitation, psss easing anea an organ I cation of force, such material, such occupation of

territory as to take the contest out of the category of 1UM Kt BCtXJOUS ISSUM KCTIOJT, or occasional akinntshe, and place it on the

tolerable footing of war, to which a recognition or beligereney won d aim to elevate it. The Contest, moreover la solely on land. The insurrection hat not possessed Itself of a single aesport whence it may send forth its nag nor has it any mesne of coinmunlcatian wlthiorelgn powers, except through the military lines of its a Iversarles. No apprehension of any of those sudden and dt (Ileal complications which a war upon the ocean IS apt U precipitate upon the veNel,both commercial and national, and upon the consular ofnoers of other power, and call for the definition of their relations to the parties to the eontent. Considered as a question of expediency, 1 regard the acoordanoe of belligerent rights still to be as unwise and premature aa ever. I regard It t be at present indefensible as a

measure oi ngbt. nacn a recognition entails upon the country acoordinz It the right which flow from it, difficult nd complicated duties, and reqn'rea the action Iron the contending parties of the strict observance of their rights and obligation. It con

fers the right of searuh upon the high aeaa by veaielaef both parties, it would subiect the carrying of arms and ammunition or war. Which now may be transported freely and without Interruption in the vanees ot the Unl ed States, to detention and te possible aelsure. it would give rise to counties vexations, questions which would release the parent government from responsibility for acta done by the Insurgents and would iBvest Spain with the right to exercise the supervision recognized by our treaty of 17H6 over our commerce on the high seas, a very large part of which , in its traffic between the Atlantic and gull states and all of It between the eastern states and the states upon the Pacific- passea through the waters which wash the shores of Cuba. The ezerclbe of this supposition could scarce fall to lead, if not to abuses, certainty to collisions perilous to the peaoeful relations of the two states. There can be little donbt to wbat result such a super

vision would before long draw this nation. It would be unworthy of the United (States to Inaugurate the possibilities of such a result by measures of questlontbls right or expediency. Apart from any question of theoretical right. I am satisfied that while the aeoordaaee of heiligerf nt rights to the insurgents in Cuba anight give them a hope and an inducement to potract the struggle, It would be bat A DELUSIVE HOFB, and would not remove the evils which this government and its people are experiencing, but would draw the United Btatea Into com

plications which it has waited long and already suffered much to avoid. The recognition of Independence or of belligerency being thus In my Judgment equally inadmissible, it remains to consider what course shall be adopted, should the conflict not soon be brought to an end by the acts of the parties themselves, and should the evils which result therefrom sfflctlngall nations, and particularly the United Htates, continue, in such an event I am of the opinion that other nations will be compel led to assume the i es pönal bill ty which . devolves upon them and to seriously consider the only remaining measures possible mediation and Intervention. Uwinr. i,rh.n.'

to the large expanse of water which separates the island from the peninsular, the want of harmony and of personal sympathy between the Inhabitants Ot the coiony a ttoae sent thltker to rule them, and the want of the adaption of the ancient colonial system of fcnrope to the present times and to the Ideas which the events of the past een tory have developed, the contending. psxUes

appear to nave witnin inemseives no depoel

has always been materially lrjoriona to honest trafSo,forlt operates as an incentive to traders In Mexico to aupply. without customs charges, the wants of the Inhabitants on this side the line and prevents tbe same wants from being supplied by merchants of the United Btates, thereby u- - considerable extent defrauding our revenue and checking honest commercial enterprise. Depredations by armed bands from Mexico on the people cr Texas near the frontier continue. Though tne main object of the incursions 1 robbery , they frequently result In the murder of unarmed and peaceably disposed persons, and In Rote Instance even the United States potofnc and mall communications have been attacked. Renewed remonstrances upon this subject have been addressed to the Mexican government, but without much apparent effect. The military force of this government disposable for service In that quarter la quite inadequate to . effectually guard the line even at those points wh?e the neural na are usually aaade. An expert mntef an armed vessel on the Klo tiiande for that purpose is on trial, and It is hoped that, if not thwarted hy the Shallowness of the river and other natural obstacles, it may materially contrlonU to the protection of toe herdsmen of Texas. The

proceedings or the Joint commission under the ccovention between the Unltce state and Mexico of the 4th of Jnly, 1HW, cm the subject of claims, will coon be brought to a close. The result of those proceedings will then be communicated to congress. 1 am happy to announce that the government

of Venezaila haa. upon further ounii Jar itlen.

which aad been demanded, the opposition to the

suvLuig - oi - tne eaoic was : with arawn

w . v, mumwa mil civuwi wuw; Suva, was lauded In the month of July, 18rü,aud has

.wu ma uoirai ana valuable agent of commanlcatlon between this country and other ooo ta

ten ta. l? soon passed- under the control of

those who had tbe management of the cable

connection oi oreat Britain with this eoati

nent, and thus whatever benent to the public

mignt nave aceiuea irom a : com petition

between toe two lines was lost. It had grtaWr facilities, on additional lines and additional security in case of accident to them, but these lu

cre a en iaciuues and this additional Ucllny, to

gether with the combined control of the two

companies gave, also, greater power to prevent the fu'.ure construction ot other lines

and to limit the control of telegraphic oommuulcatiou betweeen the two

oonunents to those possessing the lines already laid . W ltbln a few months a oempany known

as THB NXW TOBE DISBCT CABLB

oompauy. connecting New York directly with Great Britain, la'd a line. As soon as this cable

was reported to be in working order, the rates of

the exl ting consolidated ocmpaaiea were greatly

reduced. boon, nowevsr. a break wa

announced in this new cable and immediately

me rates oi tne other line, which had been ie-

Qucea. were again raised. This cable being now repaired, tbe rates apaear not to ts rednrnd hv

cither line irom those formerly charged by the

oiner company, mere is reason lo believe tha

f?il5,'?b?.n,.:1Jd lu iJotlon to Pv the I large amoanisof eajlttl, boh at home and United elates hat share of tbe revenue whteh I abroad, ware ready toseen nrafltahU la vm.1 raont some years since it slotted toward the extin- m tu. -a'muSZfuYZJZlVtSo Jil

gulshment of the claims of foreigners generally. In thus reeont-tdertng its determination, that government bui shown a Just aense Of rM-lf-respect whlcn can no nail to i reflect credit upon It in the eyes of all disinterested pertona elsewhere. It Is to

JLiTSTtVtSr.it,n"'t xtM. PyTOn on account of tbe Claims of citizens of lbs United Stairs are still so meager In amount, and tbat the stipulations of the treaty in retrard to tha sums ta be raid

and the persona to whom the payments were to be made should have been so signally disregarded. Kinee ray last annual message the exchange haa been made

ln raiineation of a treaty of commerce and nsvlgntion with Belgium, and of contentions With the Mexican republic for the farther extension of the Joint commission respecting claims; with the Hawaiian Inlands for commercial reciprocity, and with the Ottoman Kmtkre for extradition. al af which have been dulv nro-

claimed. Tha court of commissioners ot THB ALABAMA CLAIM has prosecuted its important duties very assiduously and very satlsfac:orlly. It convened and

was organised en' the 22d day or Jaly, 1871, and by he terms of the act under whlcn it was created was to expire one year from that day. Tb act provided, however, that should it be found Impracticable to complete the work of the court before the expiration or the Ter, the president might by proclamation extend the time af its duration to a period not more than six months beyond thce&tentloii of one year. Having received satisfactory evidence that It would be impracticable 1 3 complete the work within the tine originally fied, I issued a proclamation, atopy of which la presented herewith, extending the duration of time of the court for a period of six months from from and an er the 2d of July. The last report made through the clerk or the court, com man lea ted bereirlth, shows the condition of the calendar oi the first

of ; November Lst and the large amount of work which has been accomplished. Thirteen hundred and eightytwo claims have been presented, of which a had been disposed of at the date or the report. I am inferraed that 170 cases were decided during

V . "eii.u.i . .irgumenis are oting mada and decisions given lu the remaining cases with all the dispatch consistent with the proper eotslderation of the question s submitted. Many of these claims are la behalf of mariners Oi depend on the evidence of mariners whose absence has delayed the taking until their return of the necessary evidence. It is represented to me tbat it will be Impracticable for the court to finally dispose of all the cases before it within the present limits of its duration with Justice to the parties claimant, who have been at a laige expense in preparing their claims and obtaining the evidence in their support. I suggest a short extension to enable the court to dispose of all the claims which have been presented. I recommend the legislation which may be deemed E roper to enable the court to complete the work fore lt. I recommend that some suitable provision be made by the creation or a special court or bv cenferrimr th

uecvssary jurisdiction

civilizing aueaus oi intercourse and oorrespon

dence. They await, however, the assurance of

ta meana and conditions, en Which they may safely be msde tributary to the general good. As these cable telegraph

une connect separate states, mere are qu s

tions as to their organization and control,

wU.cu proomoiy can oe oest, II not soiely, settled by conventions between the respective stages.

m tue aDStnce, oowever, oi international

convent oca en the schjee , a municipal leglsia

iure may secure miDT points which appear to me Important, If net lndlspenalble, for the protection of the public against tbe extortions

which may result from a monopoly of the light

oi operating came t.iegramsor farm a combine-

uuu ociwt-en - several lines: 1. No line

Bseoid be allowed tolaad on the shore of tbe

United mates under the coneAsslon from an

other power which doea not admit the right of

auy oilier line or lines jormea in tbe United btates to land and freely connect with and operate through lis ln as lines; 2. io line jaouid be a. lowed to land on the shores of the

iuiku oimus wnicn is not oy treaty stipulation with the government from whoe shores it proceeds or by a prohibition in its charier or otherwise, to the satisfaction ef this government prohibited from consolidating or amalgamating with any ether cable telegraph line, or comblntat therewith lor the purpose of regulating aod maintaining the coll of telegraphic eommnnleaUea ; a All lines should be bound te give precedence In

tne transmission of the omclal neesagesof the govern men ts of the two countries bet wt en which it may be laid; 4. A power Should be reserved to tne two governments, either conjointly or te each as regard the meiae dlipstched from lu shores, to Hx a limit to the charges te fee maintained for the tranaml elon of messages. I present this subject to tbe consideration of congress. In the meantime and unless congress otherwise directs, i shall not oppose the landing of any telegraphic cable which compiles wlih and assent to the points above enumerated, but will feel it my duty to prevent the landing of any when does

ugicomoriHiotMiint ana second points, as stated, and which will not stipulate to concede

to mis governmeai tne orecedeDce in the traas-

miMion or its omciai message and will not en

ter into a satisfactory ar ran cement as recarda

Its charges. Among the pressing and Important

suDjecis to wnicn, in my opinion, tne alien i ton of congress should be directed are these relating

be aoaomplsbcd and a change of eltlseashlp be established. I also Invite yoer atteatlon to the . necessity ef regulating by law the status of American women who may marry foreign rs.and of denning more folly that of children bom in a foreign country. Of Am ei lean parents, who may reside abroad, and als of some further provisions rrguiatlng r giving legal effect to the mairttgea of American elliaens contracted in foreign countries. Tbe correspondence submitted herewith shows a few of the . . OOHSTANTXT. OCCURRING QCK3TI0XS on these points presented to the oomldetatloa of the government. There are few subject to engage the attention of congress on which more delicate relations are depentf lng. The mon th of July last the building erected for the department of stats was taken possession of and occupied by that department- I am happy tour What the archive and valuable papers et the government in the custody of that department are now safely deposited and properly cared for. The report of i he secretary of the treasury snows the receipts from customs fer the fiscal year ending June 80, 1874, to have been llf.loi.g& es, andforthe fiscal year nding Juno 8U, l&7&.to have been Si57.ifl7.Ti3 a decrease for the last (local yearof S5M.lil U. . The receipt t ona th internal avenue for the year ending Jane SO. 1X74. wereSi03.4i.S.7!M S and for the year ending aVa&Ää'T',M IH0.0U7.4W bS, an increase or -us . The report a mo shows a romnleu htstoyof tie working of the department for i he last year and contains recommendations fvr refcrmi and for legislation which 1 concur Id, P ' ,"?,t comment on so fully a I should like to do if space would peim.t. but will eooflne myself to a few suggestions which I look upon as vital to the bet-t interests oi tbe whole people eomlng within the sorvicw of the treesnry. 1 m..n .i.

w ujuvi. wvB', u u not oe isla

in is

rRAUULKT NATURALIZATION AND EXPA

TRIATION.

ine united states with great liberality offers Its citizenship to all who in good faith comply with the requirements of law. These require

ment are as simple and upon as favorable

terms to the emigrant aa the high privilege to

wnicn he is admitted can or hould permit, l

do not propose any additional requirements to

tuoee wnicn the law now demaads.

out tue very simplicity ana wanioi necessary formality in our law have made fraudulent nat

uralisation not lafrequent, to the discredit and

injury oi an nonest citizens,

aboTuve rid to C'h.' S , prTK1 tory or common eonfldence to suggest wlsdcm. othsPsiHAnowoPcnnv nrlv tha . . rr, - I ?d f'lm Parteof peace sa arker. In thla

good were

vijivi .--.r..rr.v vv.MB n-ienaililD for telh mtu. hut

wantonjy sajriiiceu hi mo uiueuuiaucs I'Jlui,

Rnooomvo.r ok ocbi BisocsanD. In contest of this nature, where a consider.

good as another before the law. !

iinanYh i of people who have attempted to free and intelligence to ct a vote wim a razht i. 1 themeelve ef the control of the super gov-

demanding of 1U meaning. A large aSSOClatlOn j ernment have reached auch a point la the oocn?,n"1 ?1 i2T. considerable I pation of territory, In power and In general or

V yvi7?. --!2rt"."7"?"'3' " tyranny . KanlzsUen as to constitute In fxt . WXh- oiti.

having a government In substance as wen as

or Opposition from the educated few, but will in

evitably sink and acquiesce to . the

will of intelligence, whether directed

oy tne emagegue or oy priestcraft. Hence the education of the massea becomes of the

first necessity lor tne preservation of oar insti

tutiona. They are worth preserving, because

uisy nave scureu me greatest good to the

greatest proportion ot population or any form

of government yet ueviseo. au oiner forms of

government approach it Jost In proportion to

tne general dinusion or education and lnde-

peuueuee oi tuvugut ana action. As the

primary atep, tnereiure, to our advancement in

all that ha marked our progress in the past

j, ir your earnest con sideration ana most earnestly recommend

It that a constitutional amendment be t ubmltted to the leglslatutes of the several

atateaior rauncauon, making it the duty cf each

i we states w esiaoii&n ana ipre ver

r&BB PUBLIC SCHOOLS

adequate to the education of all the chlldreB 1b

the rudimentary branches within their respect

ive limits, irrespective or sex, color, birthplace

or religion, forbidding the teaching in the said

school of religion. Atheistic or Pagan tenet;

prohibiting tne granting oi any school funds, or school taxes, or any part thereof.

ciiuci uj niusuic, iuuuKinu or oiner governments, for tne benefit of any other object, of any

nature or ainu. in cuuuccuou witn mis im po riant question, 1 would also call your atten

tion to tne importance or correcting an evil that, if permitted to continue, will lead to great

irouDie in our iaiiu uciuib ma ciose oi tne nineteenth century, it la the accumulation ef a vast

amount or untaxed cnurcn property. In 1850 I believe, the church property of the United

Btates, wnicn paia no tax, municipal or state.

amounted to aoout miww. in low, the amount had doubled. In 1875, it Is about SI 00S -euu,0UU. By 19uo,wlthqnt check. It is safe to say that this prr-perty will reach a sum exceeding

3,uuu,uuu. so Ynia auui rwiiuji au ue protecUon and benefits of the government without bearing its proportion of the burdens and expenses Of the same will not be looked on acquiescently ay those who have paid the taxes. In a growing country where real estate enhance so rapidly with time aa In the United Utates, there la scarcely a limit t the wealth that may be acquired! by corporations, religious or otherwise, It allowed to retain real estate without taxation. To the contemplation of so vast a property as la hU alluded lO Without taxation may lead to aeeneatratlon without cenStltOllonil iutbOTltT, and through blood. I would suggest the taxation Of all property equally , whetaer church or corporation, exempting only the last resting place of the dead and possibly, with proper restrictions, chursh edifices. Our relations with most of THI FOBEI03 rOWKBS continue oa a satisfactory and friendly footing. lasreased Intercourse, the extension r commerce and the cultivation of national interests kava Improved our relation with a large aaa-

-oi " "r"ir v.i. -' Biuuuu i view, in tne eany days of the contest the as In the past, with the difference from Um tn I Af rh. tTniii at. . . t.

a'nTr" tendered 1, good faith, without any selfish burl

floMsartrt more vsmablmrw.rtv Zw.JiLl.--ZZ I Interest cf humanity and In sinners

irienasnip for beth parties, but were at tbe

ilulcUCvllJim uj pjam wuu tne declaration nevertheless that at a future tlfflS Ü167 WOOld be ludlspenslble. No Intimation baa been r. oelved that In the opinion of Baaia thai time has been reached, and yet the strife continues with its dread horrors and all Its Injuries to the United Btatea and of other nattoas. b-h mm.

seems quite capable of working great lnlury End Carnage te the other as wen as to ail th relations and Interest! dependent on tne exist enceof peace in the Island. Bat thev asem In.

capable of reaching any adjustment and both have thus far failed of achieving any success whereby one party shall possess and control the

laiana to the exclusion of the other. Under these clreumstaneMa t v. .

Of others, either by mediation r by Intervention, seems to be the only alternative which must sooner or later be invoked for the Termination of the strife. At the same time While Impressed, I do not recommend the adoption of any meaiure of Intervention. I shall be ready at all time and aa the equal friend of both parties to respond to a suggestion that the

vlmlhar II.

nuvuan InrtBHUI ah vtvM . j . I - " - - . v

tVi hnnsi V iTti:' .1 ppropriaie naturalized. Cases of this character arc eon tin JJlfJ1 for tne consideration and derermina- oaily being brought to the nctlee of the rover..

ment oy cur representatives abroad and also by

persons resident in other countries. Most fre

quently tne cases are those of persons wh

have remained In this coumtry long enoagh to entitle them to become naturalized, and nave generally not much overpassed tbat period aad ave returned to the country of their erhtfn, where they reside, avoiding ail duties to the

united states by their absence, and claiming

te oe exempt from all duties

to tne country oi ineir nationality and of their residence by reason ef their alleged naturalisation. It is due to this government itself and to

tne great mass oi naturalised eltlrens who, both

is name ana in ract, become eltisena of the

united mates, that the high privilege ef eltl

senshlp ef the United states should not be held by fraud or in derogation of the lawa

and of the good name of every hon

est citizen. On many occasien it has been ; brought to the knowledge

or tne government mat cemnoates or naturali

sation are held and the protection or lnterfer-

In name, possessed of the element of stability and equipped with machinery for the administration of internal polley. and the execution ef Its laws, and prepared and able to administer

justice at uouie, as wen as m ita aeaungs with other powers, U H within the province of those other powers t recognise its existence BS B Bew and independent naUon. In auch eases other nations simply deal with an actually existing condition of things and recognize as one of the powers of earth that body politic whieh, bossesslag the necessary element, haa. In fact, become a new power. In a word, tbe creation of a new state is a fact. To stabilen the condition of things essential to the recognition of this fact there most be a people occupying a known territory, united under some known and defined form of government, acknowledged by those subject thereto, the funotiena of which governmentale administered bv . V 1 . 1 . . - . .

lUQusuuiuciuuu. wupvieui ko mete out justice to citizens and atraagers, to afford remedies for public and for private wrongs and able to assume the relative International obligations and capable of performing the corresponding international dutlec resulting from ltsaoquisitlon of the rights of sovereignty and power. It

600D OFFICES Or THB UiUTKD STATS will be acceptable aa an aid In bringing about a peace honorable to both. It la due to Spain, so far as this government la concerned, that the agency of a third power, which I have adverted upon, shall be adopted only as the last expedient. Had It been the desire of tbe United btatea to Interfere la the affairs of Cuba. repeated opportunities

for so doing have been presented, within the

last lew jmmn, out we nave

tion of

THB CLAIMS OF ALIENS against the government of the United Btatea which have arisen within some reasonable time and which may hereafter arise, including all claims barred by treaty, provisions or otherwiseIt has been found impossible to" give a proper censlderation to those claims by the executive department of the government. Such a tribunal wonld afford an oDnortnsliv tn

aliens, other than British subjects, to present claims on account of act committed against their persons or property during the rebellion, as also to these subject ef Ureat Britain whose claims have arisen aabsequentto theOthof April, 188. and Whieh could not fee presented to the late cemmlasion

organized pursuant to the previsions of the treaty of Washington. The electric telegraph has become an essential and .lndlspenalble agent in tha transmission of business and social messages. Its operation on land and witnin particular states is necessarily under the control of the Jurisdiction within which it eperates. Tha lines on the hiKh aeaa. however, are not subject to the particular eon? trolorany one government. In im a concession was granted by the French government te -eomrsny which proposed to lay a cable from tne ""Ores of France to the Unit ad Btates. At that time there was a . telegraph ie connection between the United 8tates and the continent of Kurope, through the no, sessions of Ureat Britain, at either end of the Hie, The control of an association which, at a large outlay of capital and at gatrl8k, demonsuated the possibility of maintaining anch a means of oommnnlcailea, placed tha price of correspondence by this ageney at a high figure, but pos&lbly net

too large at the time for a proper remuneration for tbe costly enterprise. It was, however, a heavy charge upon the means of communication, which progress in tbe social and commercial intercourse of the world found to be a necessity and the obtaining of THIS FBE2VCH CONCESSION '

ence claimed by parties who admit that not only they were not within the United Htates at the time of tne pretended naturalisation, but that i i i j . j .v. f r. I .J utmt.m

if r-wrl? uarri countries eoUectla. rerenoe ftnäjora.ioä the Court Show on their face I " tfae largest eons am era, reduce the do-

that the persons claiming, to be naturalized bad

al raft

question and I hope congress

mar be Induced at tha .iiui

Practicable to insure the consummati,

iaa act or tne Isat congrem at Its last session to bring about specie resumption on and after the first of January. ISCQ. at tha rmthoct f

r!.1? Kr' blewlng if this could be consummated, even at an earlier dav. Noihin.

seems to me more certain than that a lull, healthy and permanent reaction can not take place In favor of the Industries and financial welfare of the eooniry until we return to the measure of standard recognized throughout

the civilized world. While we use a currency not equivalent to thia standard, the world recognlr.ed standard, specie, beoom. T JiAZ

modly 1 ke the prod uctlons of the soil, the surplus seeking a market wherever there is a demand for it. Under

?.n2nld. wan;jMne' nor woald we t. any, were it not that tbe customs dues mnt h mm

coin, and because of tbe pledge to Lay the interest of the public debt in coin. The yle d of the precious metals would flow out for the purchase of foreign productions and leave the people ol the United tila'e hewers ot wood and drawers or water because of tke wis legislation on

THB BTJBJKCT OF FTMA9CB

by the nations with whom we have deallyga.

am not prepare! to say that I

can sgggest the best legislation to

aecure this end. Most heartily will I commend and it will be a source of great gratlflcation to me to be able to approve any meanrea of congress looking efleetuiliy towai'd Maria! resumption. Unlimited li nation would probably bring about specie payments more sp.-tdllr

tnan any legislation ooking toward the r demption pi the legal tenders In coin. But it would be at the exnense of hm,

The legal tenders would have no val ue beyond settling present liabilities, or, properly speaking, repudiating them. They would buy noting alter the debts were all settled. There are a few measures which seem i0, Jfi.,lmportnt la tM" connection, and which 1 commend to your eonslderauoa! By a repeal o' so much of the legal tender act aa makea these notea receivable for debta contracted after a date to be fixed in the act itself not later than tbe 1st of January, ign wa Should then have quotations at the real value and not fictitious ones. Gold would so longer

currency at a d soount.

wouia set in at once, make the enmnev

equal to what it pur poses to be; the merchant. mann'bntii Mr. mr l.n ...

... -.i-uciucu vi every calling eould do businesson a fair margin of rollt the money to be received having an unvarying value. Laborers, or all classes who work for stipulated pay or salary, wonld receive more income, because to txlra profit would no longer be mwm1

the capitalists to compensate for the risk of a downward fluctuation In the value of the currency; second. That the secretary ofthe treasury be authorised to redeem, as nt

te exceed two million dollars monthly of legaltender notes, by using In their stead

LONQ BON De BBARINQ IKTBBKST

at the rate of &25 per annum, of denominations varying from $500 te 11,000 each. -Thla would In time reduce tbe legal-

tender notes te a volume that eoaid be kept afloat without demanding redemption la large snms suddenly; third, that additional power be given to the secretary ef tbe treasury to accummnlate geld for the final idmittAn

of the currency. Increasing the revenue, curtal lng expenses or both, it 1 preferable to da

both, and i recommend that a reduction of w.

pendiiure be made whenever It can be One without Injuring the government obligation or crinnlln tha imnmi dn

One measure for increasing the raveane and the only one, I think. Is the restoration of the duty

ob tea and coffee. Tbeae duties would add

probably lls.UOu.0UU to the present amount r.

oelved lor Import, and would. In no way. Inre sm the prices paid for these articles bv tha Consumer. These article are tbe producta of

be ata premium, bat

A healthy reaction

with the desire to

remained naulva

and have performed onr whole dntv and aii ih.

ahouid exist complete in lt organization, ready international obligations te 8paln with frlendt take and able to maintain its place among I ahio falrnaa and fldslttr end with a tha nations of tha earth. Whlla mnin. k7 I ana naeiliy Bha Wim B

spirit oi patience and for-

the nations of tbe earth. While conscious that the insurrection in Cuba has shown a strength

and endurance which make it at least doubtful

whether it be In the power of tfpaln to subdue It.

it seems unquestionable that no such

civil organization exists which may

bo recognized as an lndenendant

government, capable of performing it obliga

tion and entitled to be treated as one of the cowers ofthe earth. A recognition under such

circumstance would be inconsistent with the fact and would compel the power that gave It

soon to supportt by force the government to which It had really given It the only real claim

of existence. In my Judgment the United Btates should adhere to the polier and

the principle which have heretofore

been its sure and safe guides in like contest be

tween revolted colonies and their mother coontry and. acting only upon tbe clearest evidence.

should avoid any popular suspicion or Imputation. A recognition of the independence ef

Cuba being, In my opinion, Impracticable and Indefensible, the question which next presents

itseins mat or tne -

RECOGNITION OF BELLIGEBXNT RIGHTS

In the parties to the contest. Ina former mes. age to congress, I had occasion t consider this question and reached th boneluslon that the m a a a a

flictincuba, dread im ana devastating as

were It evidences, did not rise to the fearful

dignity of a war. Regarding it now after' this elapse of time, I am unable to see that aay notable success, or any marked or real advance

on the part of the insurgent haa essentially

Changed tne character or to contest.

It has aequirea greater age, out not

greater in aaorc formidable PrODOrtlon. It Is

possible that the act of foreign powers, and even tha acts of rJnsin herself ef this very nature

might be pointed to in defense Of such B reeCV

Dearanee wnicn negative every possible suggestien Of desire to interfere or to add to the dlnioultie with which she has been surrounded. Th government of Bpeln haa recentlysubmltted teear minister at Madrid certain proposals which It la thought may be found to be the basis. If not the actual au omission of terms, to meek the requirement cf the particular griefs or which this ge ernment has felt itself entitled to complain. These proposal have not yet reached me la their full text. On their arrival they will be taken In careful examination and may, I hope, lead to a satisfactory adjustment o the questions to which they refer and

remove the possibility of future occurrences.

au-h aa have given rise to our Just complaint. It Is understood also that renewed effort are being made to introduce reforms In the Internal administration of the island. Persuaded that a proper regard for the interests of th United Btates and of it clUzena entitle her to relief from the strain to which she has been subjected by tha difficulties of the question and the wrongs and leases which arise from the contest in Cuba and that the inunu

of humanity it elf dem and the cessation of the strife before the whole Island shall be laid waste and larger sacrifice of life be made, . I shall feel It my duty, i hould my hope of a satisfactory adjustment and of th early restoration of peace and the re mo val of the future cause or com

plaint he nnhappily disappointed, tö make a further communication to congress at some period not far distant and during

tne present session recommenaing wnat may then seem to me to be necessary. The free sonc.so called, several years since, established by : Tatl HZXICAN OOVKtNMJINT la certain Of the state of that republic, adjacent to Cot frontier! rasaatoj 1b fan operation, u

showed that other capital than that already invested wa ready to enter into competition with an assurance of adequate return for the outlay. Impressed with the eonlotion that the interests, not only of the people of the United fetate bat the world at large demanded or would demand tbe Implication of such means of communication between the separate countries. I was desirous that the proposed connection should be made, but certain provisions of this eonoeaalon were deemed by me to be objectionable, particularly one which gave for a long term of years the exclusive right of telegraphic communication bv a

srbmarine cab. between the shores of France and tbe United States.., I could not concede that any power should

claim tae right to land a cable on the shore of tbe United Htales and at the same time deny to the United Btates or te Its citizens the right of granting an equal right to land a eab'e on its chore. The right to contract the eennectiona for the laying of a cable within the Jurisdictional waters of the United Btato. to connect our shares with those of any foreign state, pertains exclusively to the government of tbe United ' Btatea, under such limitations and conditions as congress may Impose, and in the absence ef legislation by congress I was unwilling, on the on hand, to yield to a forelgu a täte the right to ssy that its grantees might land on our own shore, while it denied a similar right to eur people to land on their shore, aad, ob the other band. I was reloetant to deny to the great Interest of th world and of civilisation the facilities Oi 8Uh communication as were proposed. I therefore withheld my resistance to the landing of any eable on the condition that . .

MON0P0LT

THE OFFENSIV E

FKATTJRB

of the concession should be abandoned, and

that the right of any eable which may be established by the authority of this government to land ob Freneh territory and to connect with French land lines and enjoy the neceasary facilities or privileges incident to the nae thereof upon as favorable terms aa' any other company be conceded. As the result thereof the company in question renounced the

exclusive privileges, and the representative of

Fraace was mrormed mat, understanding this relinquishment to be construed as granting et tar reDireclty and equal facilities to those

not resided the proper length of time in the

united states, in others, it is admitted noon

examination tnat toe requirements ef the law

fiavo nut vcuu vumpuea witn. in some

even such oaanricATa havb Bans rrjaoKAxi.

These are not isolated cams arising at rare inter

vals, but ol common occurrence, which are re

portea from ail quarter of th glob. Sneh

occurrences can not and do not fail to reflect

span the government and Inj ore all honest clti

aena. Mach a fraud being discovered, however. Shere is no practicable meana within th mn.

trol of the government by which the record of

naturalization can be vacated if the eertlfl-

f1 . .b .taken np. As it is usually

oy aipiomatio ana consular representatives

oi tue government, to wnom it may have been

presented, there is nothing to prevent ta per

son claiming to neve neen naiurauzea rrem obtaining a new certificate from the court. 1

tne piaoe oi tnat which has been taken from him. The evil has become so great.

ana oi snen rreanent occurrence, that

I cannot toostronarlv rttonmmend f h.t ui. Af

fective measures be adopied to provide a proper

romtuj iwi tne vacating oi any reeoias rrau

aienuy procured, ana oiproseeuting illegality parties te the transaction. In this connection I

wui rwer aiso 10 tne question or expatriation and the election to the nationality, lb united

Htatea haa been leremost la holding

to tne nam or expatriation ana was principally lnstrumeatal In overlhrowlsg the doctrine of perpetual allegiance. Congress has declared the right of expatriation te fee a natural. Inherent

right of all people, but while many other na

tions nave laws providing what formalities shall be necessary to work a change of allegiance,' the United Htatea has not enacted tne provision , of a law and baa in no reptct marked how and when REPATRIATION ' may be accomplished by the clMiens. Instances are brought to the attention of the government Where eltizena of the Unit d States, either naturalised or native born, have formally become citizens or subject of for.lga powers, cut who nevertheless, in the absence or any prevlrns legislation on these questions, when involved in difficulties as when it seems te be in their interest, claim to fee ettleen of th United states and demand the intervention of a government which they have long since abandoned, and to which for years they have rendered no service nor had themselves in any way amenable. In other eases naturalized citizens immediately after naturalization retnrn to their native country and have become engaged in business or have accepted office, aa if content with American elllzeniblp, aad evinced no intent to return to the United Btates nntil called QDOn tO discharge some duty to the oo ntry where they are residing. When at once thsy assert their cluxensbip and eall upon the representative a of the government to ail them In their unjust pretention. It is but Justice to bona fide cltl-

acna tnat no couDt Should exist on auch qu

lions, aad that congreai should determine b

tn enactment ox a law now expatriation

ties they proportionately Increase them, with this addition to the revenue. many

duties now collected and which gave but an insignificant return ihrth(r

collection might be remitted, and u ih. i.

advantages of the consumer alone. 1 wooia mention those artiiies which enter into manufacture of all sarta. All rfntv taA n max na

article goes directly to the otTr .TJ

when imported here and must be naid for h.

the consumers. The d utlea not only come from the consumers alone, but acts as a protection to foreign znanufaoxurera of tha asms n...i.ii

article in our own aad distant market. T will suggest or mention another subject bearing upon the problem of how te enable the secretary of the treasury to accumulate. h.l.iMa I, - ...

devise some bet er method of verifying claim against the government than at present exist through the Court of Claims. eeDeclaiiv thoaa

claims growing out of th I at. war

Nothing is more certain than that a u.

centage of the amount passed and paid arc partly or wholly fraudulent, or are far In mami

of th real losses sustained . Tbe large amount of losses proven on good testimony. avrw..rt.,-

to the existing laws, by the affidavit of ficti

cious or unscrupulous persons to have been sustained on small farms and Dlantatlons arc not

""'J oeyona tne possible .yield Of those plaees for any ona -mmr

but a every one knows who ha exnerianaain

tilling the soil and who has visited the scene of the apoiiatlona. are In msnv Ifiilannaa mnn

than the individual claimants wt re ever wortb. Including their persoual and real estate. The reDort oi the attorney eearral. which 111 ha

submitted to congress at any early day, will contain a detalieu history ol tbe awards made and of the claims pending of the class heretofore

relet red to. The

REPORT OP THB SECRETARY OP WAR.

accompanying this message, gives a detailed

account of army operations for the year Just passed, expenses for maintenance, ct with recommendations for legislation to which I respectfully invite your attention. To some of these I Invite it specially: First, th necessity of

uwauiK ji-,wni ui appropnillOa FOr tOS Sub-

sistence aepariment available before the

beginning of tue aext Ifiscal year

wunout tnia provisions the troop at

Hl tuw U1.WU I irvui IU IDPDIT mUSt MLhatr i

witnout looa or ine existing laws must be vio

lated, it la not attended witn cost to the treas

ury, second, his recommendation Is for an aa.

aoimeD.ax a system oi annuities for th families of deceased officers by voluntary reductions

rrom ma mommy pay oi omcers. inis. again

la not attended with a burden upon the trees

ury ana would. for ih fntnr.

relieve muen autre-, which every old army

omeer has wished. In the past officers dying suddenly or being killed leu their families

without even tbe means of reaching their

iimuua,,, lurinuiw enooen in n... trUiuf, i

Blauem; , me repeal oi tne law abolishing

mileage and a return 10 the Old System; I, Ihl

engineers and an appropriation for

tae same. (should war ever occur

between tne United Btatea and anv maritima

power, torpedoes will fee among the moat affect

ive ana cneapest auxiliary for the deren of

a arson ana xor afjressiv eperatioaa that we