Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, December 16, 1875, Image 1

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lewis m. &rist, Proprietor, Jnticpcnbent Jfamilg ftetos]|nper: Jfor f|e promotion of tjje political, Social, ^jricnttnral anit Commercial Interests of t|e JSontjj. TERMS?$3.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE. VOL. 21. YOEKYILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1875. ^TO. 5Q. ^elected foctvg. MY ANGEL MOTHER. In the land beyond the river, Under the skies forever fair, Dwells my sainted angel mother Watching for my coming there. One day o'er the silent waters At the setting of the sun Went she with the mystic boatman, And her earthly life was done. Much I miss her at the twilight. When the shadows veil the skies, For she used to sing at evening Many tender melodies. I have stood in old cathedrals Where a hundred singers sung, But their voices never thrilled me Like her voice, when I was young. She would take her time-worn Bible, When the lamps were all alight, And from that God's word she read us Truths to guide our steps aright, And she whispered us of Heaven, Where the many mansions are; And while she was here among us Heaven seemed not so very far. Oh, I know the angels met her, When the boatman rowed her o'er, And they sang a song of welcome When her feet touched Heaven's snore. There she waits the Heavenward coining Of the one she loved on earth, On her face and heart the glory Of her new immortal birth. Sometimes, in the twilight silence, I fancy she is near, ' And I listen for her blessing, Which I feel, but do not hear ; Then I long to hear her calling From that fairer shore than this, For my heart grows weary waiting For my angel mother's ?iss. jpfaifs uf the Ration. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Representatives : In submitting my seventh annual message to Congress in this centennial year of our national existence as a free aud independent people, it affords me great pleasure to recur to the advancement that has been made from the time of the colonies, one hundred years ago. We were then a people numbering only three millions. Now we number more than forty millions. Then industries were confined almost exclusively to the tillage of the soil; now manufactories absorb much of the labor of tbecountry. Our liberties remain unimpaired; the bondsmen have been freed from slavery. We have become possessed of the respect, if not the friendship, of all civilized nations. Our progress has been great in all the arts, in scienoe, agriculture, commerce, navigation, ? 1 i?.? ?a?A ;n UJlUiugj lucuuauito, ia>T, lu^uiv/iuc) cbv/.t uuu m general education the progress is likewise encouraging. Our thirteen States have become thirty-eight, including Colorado, which has taken the initiatory steps to become a State, and eight territories, including the Indian Territory and excluding Colorado; making a territory, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ou the south we have extended to the Gulf of Mexico, and in the west from the Mississippi to the Pacific. One hundred years ago the cotton gin, the steamship, the railroad, the telegraph, the reaping, sewing and modern printing machines, and numerous other inventions of scarcely less value to our business and happiness, were entirely unknown. In 1776 manufactories scarcely existed, even in name, in all this vast territory. In 1870 more than two millions of persons were employed in manufactories, producing more than $2,100,000,000 of products in amount annually; nearly equal to our national debt. From nearly the whole of the population of 1776 being engaged in the one occupation of agriculture, in 1870, so numerous and diversified had become the occupation of our people, that less thau six millions, out of more than forty millions, were so engaged. The extraordinary effect produced in our country by a resort to diversified occupations has built a market for the products of fertile lands distant from the seaboard and the markets of the world. The American system of locating various and extensive manufactories next to the plow and the pasture, and adding connecting railroads and steamboats, has produced in our distant interior country, a result noticeable by the in telligent portions of all commercial nations. The ingeuuity ancl skill of American mechanics have been demonstrated at home and abroad in a manner most flattering to their pride. But for the extraordinary genius and ability of our mechanics, the achievements of our agriculturists, manufacturers and transporters throughout the country would have beeu impossible of attainment. The progress of the miner has also been great. Of coal, our production was small. Now many millions of tons are mined annually. So with iron, which formed scarcely au appreciable part of our products half a century ago, we now produce more than the world corasumed at the beginning of our national existence. Lead, zinc, and copper, from being articles of import, we may expect to be large exporters of in the near future. The development of gold and silver mines in the United States and Territories has not only been remarkable, but has had a large influence upon the business of all commercial natious. Our merchants, in the last hundred years, have had a success, and have established a reputation for enterprise, sagacity, progress and integrity unsurpassed l 1- -c 1? tu:? uy peujJIB Ui uiuci uauuuaiuics. aiiio gvjuu Dame" is not confined to their homes, hut goes out upon every sea and into every port 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 aud study what will be best to preserve and advance our future greatness. From the fall of Adam, for his transgression, to the present day, no nation has ever beeu free from threatened danger to its prosperity and happiness. We should look to the dangers that threaten us and remedy them so far as lies in our power. We-afe a Republic, whereof one man is as good as another before the law. SUFFRAGE AND EDUCATION. Under such a fofm of government it is of the greatest importance that all should be possessed of education and intelligence enough to cast a vote with a right understanding of its meaning. A large association of ignorant men canuot, for any considerable period, oppose a successful resistance to tyranny and oppression from the educated few, but will inevitably sink to acquiescence to the will of intelligence, whether directed hy the demagogue or by priestcraft; hence the education of the masses becomes of the first necessity for the preservation of our institutions. They are worth preserving because they have secured the greatest good to the greatest portion of the noDulation of anv form of government yet devised. All other forms of government approach it just in proportion to the general diffusion of education and independence of thought and action. As the primary step, therefore, to our advancement in all that has marked our progress in the past century, I suggest for your earnest consideration, and most earnestly recommend that a constitutional amendment be submitted to the legislatures ofthe several States for ratification, making it the duty of each of the severaj States to establish and forever maiutain free public schools adequate to the education of all the children, in the rudimentary branches, within their respective limits, irrespective of sex, color, birth-place or religions, forbidding the teaching in said schools of religious, atheistic or pagan tenets, and prohibiting granting of any school funds, or school takes, or any part thereof, either by legislative, municipal or other authority, for the benefit or in aid, d rectly or indirectly, of any religious sect < denomination, or in aid or for the benefit < any other object of any nature or kind wha ever. TAXATION OF CHURCH PROPERTY. The message next urges the taxation < church property, which is now of the value < about $1,000,000,000 and receives the sarr benefits and protection from the governmet as all other classes of property. FOREIGN RELATIONS. Our foreign relations are represented 1 continue on a friendly and satisfactory foo ing. The President devotes considerabl space to a discussion of the Cuban questioi and arrives at the conclusion that a recogn tion by this government of the independent of Cuba is both impracticable and indefens ble; but friendly mediation, with the view t eud hostilities between Spain aud Cuba, is n commended. MEXICO. The free zone, so-called, several years sine established by the Mexican government in ce: tain of the States of that Republic adjacent t our frontier, remains in full operation. It hs always been materially injurious to hone* traffic, for it operates as an incentive to tn ders in Mexico to supply, without custom charges, the wants of inhabitants on this sid of the line and prevents the same wants froi being supplied by merchants of the Unite States; and thereby, to a considerable exten defrauding our revenue and checking hone* I commercial entemrise. DeDredations b armed bands from Mexico, on the people c Texas near the frontier, continue. Thoug the main object of these incursions is robbing they frequently result in the murder of ut armed and peaceably disposed persons, and i some instances even the United States post o: Sees and mail communications have been ai tacked. Renewed remonstrances upon thi subject have been addressed to the Mexicai government, but without much apparent el feet. The military force of this Government disposable for service in that quarter, is quit inadequate to effectually guard the line evei at those points where the incursions are usual ly made. An experiment of an armed vessel on the Rio Grande, for that purpose, is on trial and it is hoped that, if not thwarted by th shallowness of the river and other natural ob stacles, it may materially contribute to th protection of the herdsmen of Texas. Th proceedings of the Joint Commission unde the convention between the United States an< i Mexico, of the 4th July, 1868, on the subjec of claims, will soon be brought to a close. Th result of those proceedings will then be com municated to Congress. I am happy to an nounce that the Government of Venezuela hat upon further consideration, practically aban doned its objection to pay the United State that share of its revenue which some year since it alloted toward the extinguishment o the claims of foreigners generally. Id thu reconsidering its determination, that Govern meut has shown a just sense of self-respec which cannot fail to reflect credit upon it ii the eyes of all disinterested persons elsewhere It is to be regretted, however, that its pay raents on account of claims of citizens of thi United States are still so meagre in amount aud that the stipulations of the treaty in re gard to the sums to be paid and the period when those payments were to take place should have been so sigually disregarded. A LAP A AT A CLAIMS. On the subject of the claims against th< Government, known as the Alabama claims the President makes the following recommen datious: Many of these claims are in behalf of mar iuers, or depend on the evidence of mariner whose absence has delayed the taking or tin return of the necessary evidence. It is rep resented to me that it will be impractical)! | for the Court to finally dispose of all the case | before it within tho present limit of its dura ! tion. Justice to the parties claimant, whi j have been at large expense in preparing thei ! claims aud obtaining the evidence in thei ! support, suggests a short extension, to enabl the Court to dispose of all the claims whicl : have been presented. I recommend the leg I islation which may be deemed proper to ena | ble the Court to complete the work before it I I recommend that some suitable provision b I made by the creation of a special Court, or b; | conferring the necessary jurisdiction upoi j some appropriate tribunal for the considers I tion and determination of the claims of alien ! aeainst the Government of the United States ; which have arisen within some reasonabl I limitation of time, or which may hereafte arise, excluding all claims barred by treat; : provisions or otherwise. It has been fount impossible to give proper consideration t these claims by the Executive Department | of the Government. Such a tribunal wouli | afford an opportunity to aliens, other thai j British subjects, to present their claims on ac count of acts committed against these person or property duriug the rebellion, as also t | those subjects of Great Britain, whose claims ' having arisen subsequent to the 9th day o April, 1865, could not be presented to the lat i commission orgauized pursuant to the provis i ions of the treaty of Washington. TKLEGRAPHIC CABLES. After enumerating the many advantages t the civilized world of ocean telegraphy, am deprecating the extortionate charges of sevei al of the lines in operation, the Presiden makes the following recommendations for th prevention of monopoly or a combination be tween lines: T-*' * XT 1 * 1 IJ 1 II 1 r irsi. i>o uue tmouiu ueanuweu iu muu ui 1 the shores of the United States, under the con cessiou from another power, which does no admit the right of any other line or line formed in the United States to land and free ly conuect with and operate through its lam lines. Second. No line should be allowed to lan< on the shores of the United States which i not, by treaty stipulation with the Governraen from whose shores it proceeds, or by prohibi ! tion in its charter or otherwise to the satisfac tion of this Government prohibited from con solidating or amalgamating with any othe cable telegraph liue, or combiniug therewitl for the purpose of regulating and maiutainiu| the cost of telegraphing. Third. All lines should be bound to giv precedence in the transmission of the ofiicia messages of the governments of the two couu ! tries between which it may be laid, i Fourth. A power should be reserved to th two governments, either conjointly or to each as regards the messages dispatched from it shores, to fix a limit to its charges to be de manded for transmission of messages. I present this subject to the earnest consid eration of Congress. In the meantime, am unless Congress otherwise direct, I shall no oppose the landing of auy telegraphic cabl which complies with and assents to the point : above enumerated; but will feel it my duty t prevent the landing of any which does no conform to the first and second points as stated aud which will not stipulate to concede to thi Government the precedence in the transmit oiin ?-?f 1 to rttti/iiol mooeaoroc orift will not. Pntf into a satisfactory arrangement with regan , to its charges. INTERMARRIAGE WITH FOREIGNERS. J I invite your attention to the necessity t regulating by law the status of American wc men who may marry foreigners, and of de6t ing more fully that of children born in a foi I eign country of American parents, who ma reside abroad ; aud also of some further pr< vision regulating or giving legal effect to ma: ! riages of American citizens contracted in fo i- 1 eign countries. The correspondence submit>r i ted herewith shows a few of the constantly ocof' curring questions on those points presented to t- the consideration of the Government. There! are few subjects to engage the attention of Congress on which more delicate relations or ' 3f! more important interests are dependent. )f CURRENCY. ie The report of the Secretary of the Treasury it shows that the receipts from customs, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, to have been $163,103,833.69, and for the fiscal year n ending June 30, 1875, to have been $157,- j t- 467,722.35 ; a decrease for the last fiscal year le of $5,936,111.34. The receipts from Internal Revenue for the year ending June 30th, 1874, i- were $102,409,784.90, and for the year ending !e June 30th, 1875, $110,007,493.58; increase, j. $7,597,708.68. The report also shows a cotno plete history of the workings of the Depart>. raent for the last year, and contains recommendations for reforms and for legislation, which I concur in, but cannot comment on so !e fully as I should like to do if space would r. permit; but will confine myself to a few sug0 gestions which I look upon as vital to the l8 best iuteresta of the whole people, coming Jt within the purview of the Treasury?I mean specie resumption. Too much stress cannot 13 be laid upon this question, and I hope Cone gress may be induced, at the earliest day pracQ ticable, to iusure the consummation of the act d of the last Congress at its last session to bring t about specie resumption, on and after the 1st day of January, 1879, at furthest. It would y be a great blessing if this could be consuramated even at an earlier day. Nothing seems h to me more certain than that a full, healthy T and permanent reaction cannot take place in \[ favor of the industries and financial welfare n of the country, until we return to a measure of p. values recognized throughout the civilized r world. While we use a currency not equivag lent to this standard?the world's recognized q standard?specie becomes a commodity like the p. products of the soil ; the surplus seeking a . market wherever there is a demand for it. g Under our present system, we should want Q none, nor would we have any, were it not [. that customs dues must be paid in coin, and 1 because of the pledge to pay interest on the | public debt in coin. The yield of precious p.; metals would flow out for the purchase of for ~ j eign productions and leave the United States e | hewers of wood and drawers of water, because e j of wiser legislation on the subject of finance r 1 by nations with whom we have dealings. I j ! am not prepared to say that I can suggest the 1 t i best legislation to secure the end most heartie j ly recommended. It will be a source of great . | gratification to me to be able to approve any measure of Congress looking effectively to- 1 , ward securing resumption. Unlimited inflatiou would probably bring about specie pays ments more speedily than any legislation look- | s j ing to the resumption of the legal tenders in f coin. But it would be at the expense of hong ! or. The legal tenders would have no value r beyond settling present liabilities, or, properly t speaking, repudiating them. They would buy j, nothing after debts were all settled. There are i , a few measures which seem to me important . in this connection, and which I commend to 1 B your earnest consideration. A repeal of so ; much ot the legal tender act as makes these notes receivable for debts contracted after a 8 date to be fixed in the act itself; say not later than the first of January, 1877. We should then have quotations at real values?not ficti~ lloUsTones'r GoId would no longer be at a ~ premium, But currency at a discount. A B healthy reaction would set in at once, and '> with it. ft desire to make the currency eaual to * what it purports to be. The merchants, man; ufacturers and tradesmen of every calling ' I could do business on a fair margin of profit, 9 | the naoney to be received having an unvaryiug , b I value. Laborers and all classes who work for "! stipulated pay or salary would receive more e for their income, because extra profits would 8 no longer be charged by the capitalist to com" pensate for the risks of a downward fluctua3 | tion in the value of the currency. ri Second. That the Secretary of the Treasury r ! be authorized to redeem, say not to exceed e j 82,000.000, monthly, of legal tender notes, by I issuing in their stead a long bond bearing interest at the rate of 3 65 100 per cent, per an' num of denominations ranging from 850 to ' I 81,000 each. This would, in time, reduce the e : legal tender notes to a volume that could be f j kept afloat without demanding redemption in II large sums suddenly. Third. That additional power be given to 3 ; the Secretary of the Treasury to accumulate !> | gold for final redemption, either by increasing 6 ! revenue, curtailing expenses, or both. It is r ; preferable to do both, and I recommend that f | reduction of expenditures be made wherever J i it can be done without impairing the Govern0 ; ment's obligations or crippling the due execu-1 8 : tion thereof. One measure for increasing the ! * revenue, and the only one I think of, is the res3 , toration of the duty on tea and coffee. These !* duties would add probably eighteen million 8 1 dollars to the present amount received from | 0 i imports, and would, in no way, increase the ; '?i prices paid for these articles by the consumer, f j These articles are the products of countries : e | collecing revenue from exports, and as we, the | ; largest consumers, reduce the duties, they pro- j | portionately increase them. With this addiI tion to the revenue, many duties now collected ( 0 ' and which give but an insignificant return for ! 1 the cost of collection, might be remitted and j - j to the direct advantage of consumers at home. : t! I would mention those articles which enter | e i into the manufactures of all sorts. All duty | !- j paid upon such articles go directly to the cost ; of the articles when manufactured here, and < i ; must be paid for by the consumers. These i i- j duties not only come from the consumers at; t; home, but act as a protection to foreign mauu- j s facturers of the same completed articles in ! ! our own and distant markets. I will suggest i 1 or mention another subject bearing upon the j , problem of "how to enable the Secretary of j 1 the Treasury to accumulate balances." It is i s to devise some better method of verifying i t j claimsagainst the Government than at present : j i-1 exists through the Court of Claims, especial- j !-1 Iy those claims growing out of the war. j - Nothing is more certain than that a very large j i r per centage of the amounts passed and paid : h | are either wholly fraudulent or are far in ex- i y cess of the real losses sustained. The large j amount of losses proven, on good testimony, j, e according to existing laws, by affidavits of 6c1 j titious or unscrupulous persons, to have been i- j sustained on small farms and plantations, are j not only far beyond the possible yield of those e places for any one year, but, as every one i, | knows, who has had experience in tilling the i s soil and who has visited the scenes of these spoliations, are, in many instances, more than j I the individual claimants were ever worth, in-1 I- eluding their personal and real estate. The i d report of the Attorney-General, which will be t submitted to Congress at an early day, will j e ; contain a detailed history of awards made and ; s ! of claims pending of the class here referred to. j O | THE WAR DEPARTMENT, it T>u? v \U?_ l UC lepuitui uic tjcticiiu j ui u ai, owlwuj" '?i panyingthis message, gives a detailed account 8 ' of army operations for the year just passed, I expenses for maintenance, etc., with recomT ! mendations for legislation, to which I respect? ! fully invite your attention. To some of these j I invite special attention : First. The necessity of making 8300,000 of | f the appropriation for the Subsistence Depart-1 )- j rnent available before the beginning of the i-1 next fiscal year. Without this provision, [ r- j troops at points distant from supply produc-; y tion, must either go without food or existing | )- laws must be violated. It is not attended r- with cost to the Treasury, r- Second. His recommendation for the en actment of a system of annuities for the families of deceased officers by voluntary deduction from the monthly pay of officers. This again, is not attended with burden upon the Treasury, and would, for the future, relieve much distress which every old array officer has witnessed in the past, of officers dying suddenly, or being killed, leaving families without even the means of reaching their friends, if fortunate enough to have friends to aid them. Third. The repeal of the law abolishing mileage and a return to the old system. Fourth. The trial with torpedoes under the corps of engineers, and appropriation for the same. Should war ever occur between the United States and any maritime power, torpedoes will be among, if not the most effective and cheapest auxiliary for the defense of harbors, and also in any aggressive operation that we can have. Hence, it is advisable to learn, by experiment, their best construction and application, as well as effect. Fifth. A permanent organization for the signal service corps. This service has now become a necessity 01 peace as well as war under the advancement made by the present able management. Sixth. A renewal of the appropriation for compiling the official records of the war, etc. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster General, herewith transmitted, gives a full history of the workings of the department for the year just past. It will be observed that the dehciency to be supplied from the general treasury is increased over the amount required for the preceding year. In a country so vast in area as the United States, large portions must be sparsely settled. It must be expected that this important service will be more or less a burden upon the Treasury for years to come. But there is no branch of the public service which interests the whole people more than that of cheap and rapid transmission of mails to every inhabited part of our territory. Next to the free school, the post office is the great educator of the people, and it may well receive the support of the General Government. The subsidy of 8150,000 per annum, given to vessels of the United States for carrying mails between JNew York and Jttio de Janeiro, having ceased on the 30th day of September last, we are without direct mail facilities with the South American States. This is greatly to be regretted, and I do not hesitate to recommend the authorization of a renewal of that coutract, and also that the service may be increased from monthly to serai-monthly trips. The commercial advantage to begained by a direct line of American steamers to the South American States, will far outweigh the expense of the service. By act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1875, almost all matter, whether properly mail matter or not, may be sent any distance through the mails, in packages not exceeding four pounds. So far as the transmissiofl of real mail matter goes this would seem entirely proper; but I BUggest that the law be so amended as to exclude from the mails merchandize of all descriptions, and limit this transportation to articles enumerated and which may be classed as mail matter proper. THE INDIANS. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills, a part of the Sioux reservation, has had the effect-to induce a large immigration of miners to that point. Thus far, the effort to protect the treaty rights of the Indians to that section, has been successful; but the next year will certainly witness a large increase of such immigration. The negotiations for the relinquishment of the gold fields having failed, it will be necessary for Congress to adopt some measures to relieve the embarrassment growing out of the cause named. The Secretary of the Interior suggests that the supplies now appropriated for the sustenance of that people?being no-longer obliga tory under the treaty or lOho, out simpiy a gratuity?may be issued or withheld at his discretion. The condition of the Indian Territory, to which I have referred in several of my former messages, remains practically unchanged. The Secretary of the Interior has taken measures to obtain a full report of the coudition of that Territory, and will make it the subject of a supplemental report at an early day. It may then be necessary to make Borne further recommendation in regard to legislation for the government of that Territory. The method for the treatment of the Indians, adopted at the beginning of my first term, has been steadily pursued, aud with satisfactory and encouraging results. It has been productive of evident improvement in the coudition of that race, and will be continued with only such modification as further experience may indicate to be necessary. PATENT AND LAND OFFICES. The steady growth and increase of the business of the Patent Office indicates, in some measure, the progress of the industrial activity of the country. The receipts of the office are in excess of its expenditures, and the office is, generally,in a prosperous and satisfactory condition. The report of the general land office shows that there were 2,459,601 acres less disposed of during this than during the last year. More than half of this decrease was in lands disposed of under the homestead and timber culture laws. The cause of this decrease is supposed to be found in the grasshopper scourge and the drouths which prevailed so extensively in some of the frontier States and Territories during that time, as to discourage and deter entries by actual settlers. The cash receipts were less by 8690,322.23 than during the preceding year. The entire surveyed area of the public domain is 680,253,094 acres, of which 26,077,531 acres were surveyed during the past year, leaving 1,154,471,762 acres still unsurveyed. The report of the Commissioner presents many interesting suggestions in regard to the management and disposition of the public domain and the modification of existing laws, the apparent importance of which should insure for them the careful consideration of Congress. PENSIONS. The number of pensions still continue to | decrease, the highest number having been I reached during the year ending June 30th, j 1873. During the last year, 11,557 names j were added to the rolls and 12,977 dropped j therefrom, showing a net decrease of 1,420. j 13ut while the number of pensions has decreased | the annual amount due on the peusion rolls has increased 844,473.13. This is caused by ! the greatly increased average rate of pensions : which, by the liberal legislation of Congress, has increased from 89,026 in 1872, to 810,391 in 1875; to each invalid pensioner an increase in the average rate of 15 per cent, in the three years. During the year ending June 30th, 1875, there was paid on account of pensions, including'the expenses of disbursement, 829,683,116, being 8910,632 less than was paid the preceding year. This reduction in the amount of expenditures was produced by the decrease in the amount of the arrearages due on allowed claims aud on pensions, the rate of which was increased by the legislation of the preceding session of Congress. At the close of the last fiscal year, there were on the pension rolls 234,821 persons, of whom 210,363 were army pensioners; 105,478 being invalids, 104,385 widows and dependent relatives. 3,420 were navy pensioners, of whom 1,636 were invalids, and 1,784 widows aud dependent relatives. 21,038 were pensioners of the war of 1812, 15,875 of whom were survivors, and 5,163 were widows. It is estimated that 829,535,000 I will be required for the payment of pensions for the next fiscal year; 8965,000 less than the estimate for the present year. . THE CENTENNIAL. The board heretofore appointed to take charge of articles and materials pertaining to the War, the Navy, the Treasury, the Interior and the Post Office Departments, and the Department of Agriculture, the Smithsonian Institution, and the com mission of food and fishes to be contributed under the legislation of last session, to the International Exhibition to be held at Philadelphia during thd Centennial year, 1876, has been diligent in the discharge of the duties which have devolved upon it, and the preparations so far made with the means at command, give assurance that the Government contribution will be made one of the marked characteristics of the exhibition. The board has observed commendable economy in the matter of the erection of a building for the Government to exhibit in, the expense of which, it is estimated, will not exceed 880,000. Thisamount has been withdrawn, under the law, from the appropriations of five of the principal departments, which leaves some of these departments without sufficient means to render their respective practicable exhibits complete and satisfactory. The exhibition being an international one, and the Government being a voluntary contributor, it is my opinion that its contributions should be of a character in quality and extent to sustain the dignity and credit of so distinguished a contributor. The advantages to the country nf a creditable disnlav are. in an in ternational point of view, of the first importance; while an indifferent or discreditable participation by the Government would be humiliating to the patriotic feelings of our people themselves. I commend the estimates of the board for the necessary additional appropriations to the favorable consideration of Congress. The powers of Europe, almost without exception, many of the South American States, and even the more distant Eastern powers, have manifested friendly sentiments toward the United States and the interest of the world in our progress by taking steps to join with us in celebrating the Centennial of the nation, and I strongly recommend that a more national importance be given to this exhibition by such legislation, and by such appropriations, as will insure its success. Its value in bringing to our shores innumerable useful works of art and skill, the commingling of the citizens of foreigu countries and our own, and the interchange of ideas and manufactures, will far exceed any outlay we may make. THE MORMONS. In nearly every aunual message that I have had the honor of transmitting to Congress, I have called attention to the anomalous, not to say scandalous, condition of affairs existing in the Territory of Utah, and have asked for definite legislation to correct it. That polygamy should exist in a free, enlightened and Christian country, without the power to punish so flagrant a crime against decency aud mo I ai 1LY , QCCIJJS picpugbciuuo. 1 I UU, 10 uu law to sustain this unnatural vice ; but what is needed is a law to punish it as a crime, and at the same time to fix the status of the innocent children, the offspring of this system, and of the possibly innocent plural wives; but, as an institution, polygamy should be banished from the land. THE CHINESE WOMEN. While this is being done, I invite the attention of Congress to another, though perhaps no less an evil?the importation of Chinese women, but few of whom are brought to our shores to pursue honorable or useful occupations. PUBLIC LANDS. Observations while visiting the Territories of Wyoming, Utah aud Colorado, during the past autumn convinced me that existing laws regulating the disposition of public lands, timber, <fcc., and probably the mining laws themselves, are very defective and should be carefully amended and at an early day. A territority where cultivation of the soil can only be followed by irrigation, and where irrigation is not practicable, the lands can only be used asQ>astu rage, and this only where stock can reach water to quench its thirst, cannot be governed by the same laws as to entries as lands every acre of which is an independent estate by itself. Land roust be held in large numbers and quantities to justify the expense of conducting water upon it to make it fruitful, or to justify utilizing it as pasturage. The timber in most of the territories is principally confined to the mountain regions, which are held for entry in small quantities only as mineral lands. The timber is the property of the United States, for the disposal of which there is now no adequatelaw. The settler must become a consumer of this timber, whether he lives upon the plain or engages in working mines ; hence every man becomes either a trespasser himself or knowingly a patron of trespassers. My opportunities for observation were not sufficient to justify me in recorameuding specific legislation on these subjects, but I do recommend that a joint committee of the two houses of Congress, sufficiently large to be divided into sub committees, be organized to visit all the mining States and Territories during the coming summer, and that the committee shall report to Congress at the next session, such laws or amendments to laws, as it may deem necessary to secure the best interests of the Government and the people of these Territories, who are doing so much for their development. I am sure the citizens occupying the Territories described, do not wish to be trespassers, nor will they be, if legal ways are provided for them to become owners of these actual necessities of their position. RECAPITULATION. As this will be the last annual message which I shall have the honor of transmitting to Congress before ray successor is chosen, I will repeat or recapitulate the questions which I deem of vital importance, which may be legislated upon and settled at this session: First, That the States shall be required to afford the opportunity of a good common school education for every child within their limits. Second, No sectarian tenets shall ever be taught in auy school supported in whole or in part by the State or National Government, or by the proceeds of any tax levied upon any community. Make education compulsory as far as to deprive all persons who cannot read and write from becoming voters after the year 1890. Disfranchising none, however, on the grounds of illiteracy, who may be voters at the time this amendment takes effect. Third, Declare Church and State forever separate and distinct; but each free, within their proper spheres, and that all church property shall bear its own proportion of taxation. Fourth, Drive out licensed immorality, such as polygamy and the importation of wo men for illegitimate purposes. To recur again to the Centennial year, it would seem as though now, as we are about to begin the second century of our national existence, would be a most fitting time for these reforms. Fifth, Enact such laws as will insure a speedy return to a sound currency, such as will command the respect of the world. Believing that these views will commend themselves to the great majority of the right thinking and patriotic citizens of the United States, I submit the rest to Congress. U. S. GRANT. Executive Mansion, December 7th, 1875. pst0jg of jr. Carolina. Written for the Yorkville Enquirer. HISTOEICAL SKETCHES OF THE Early Settlement of South Carolina. ZY BY EEV. ROBERT LATHAN. (CONTINUED FROM LA8T WEEK.) Man is a social being. No individual, of all the numerous posterity of Adam, lives independent. He is linked to the whole by countless ties. Invisible, it may be, but still strong and indissoluble. Thecountless hordes of human beings that swarm upon the face of the habitable earth are made up of nations; these nations are made up of families; and these families are composed of single individuals. Often it is that the history of a single person contains all that is important in the history of a nation during the period of his earthly^existence. More frequently it is the case that a single act of one individual gives direction to the acts of succeeding generations. A single stone completes the arch. This stone, however small or insignificant of itself, adds beauty and strength to the whole fabric. So it is with human acts. One single deed has often saved a nation, whilst a slight neglect has changed the course of events and caused victory to perch upon the standard of the discomfited. James Oglethorpe saved South Carolina, if not from extermination, at least from invasion and temporary destruction. He did this, not directly, but indirectly. He saved Georgia, and by saving Georgia, saved South Carolina. After this unsuccessful invasion of St. Augustine, Oglethorpe returned to Frederica, near the mouth of the Altamaha. He was grieved and distressed. The Carolinians abused and villified him. They had lost all ' confidence in him as a military chief, and were not backward to express their opinion concerning him. This wounded his generous heart; but the havoc which the Spaniards had made upon the brave Highlanders, under Colonel Palmer, grieved his noble spirit. Exhausted by toil and broken down by incessant watching, he returned to Frederica. Not to rest, however. This the Spaniards would not permit. An expedition was planned in Cuba. A large naval and land force was raised, part in Cuba and part in Florida. The iutention was first to subjugate Georgia and then South Carolina. From Havana, two thousand soldiers, under the command of Don Antonio de Rodondo, embarked, and arrived in May at St. Augustine. Here farther preparations were made for the expedition. The movements of the Spaniards were discovered by Oglethorpe whilst they were still at St. Augustine. The fact was communicated to the Governor of South Carolina. Oglethorpe could not be mistaken with respect to either the intended invasion or its main object. Tho fipflniqk haQn OQan flflplnin Haynaor, rrhilot oruioing botwoon Florida and Havana. The information sent to the Governor of South Carolina was true, beyond a doubt. The Carolina authorities treated the intelligence with indifference, and positively refused to send Oerlethome anv assistance. The object of contention equally concerned Carolina and Georgia. It was avowedly a struggle for the extension of boundaries, but in reality, a struggle for empire. The territory claimed by Spain extended farther north than the English were willing to admit. On the contrary, the English claimed farther south than the Spanish would allow. Each was iu fact attempting to root the other out of the country. The destruction of Georgia would have been followed by the extermination of Carolina. Hence the saving of Georgia was the saving of Carolina. Notwithstanding the many adverse circumstances by which Oglethorpe was surrounded, he determined to defend the country, even if it cost him his life. The Highlanders, whose countrymen had been cut to pieces at fort Moosa, heartily encouraged his resolution. They were burning for revenge. Forts were built at different places on the banks of the Altamaha, on the islands contiguous to its mouth, and Frederica was put in readiness for an attack. On the 16th of July, a fleet of thirty-six vessels and carrying more than three thousand men, entered the harbor of St. Simon, about eight miles below Frederica. The troops landed on the west side of the island of St. Simon,only a short distance from the town which bore the same name. Here they commenced to erect fortifications. A battery of twenty guns was soon in working order. Oglethorpe, who was at this time on St. Simon's island, commenced firing upon the invaders as they entered the harbor, but the enemy having learned that the water was of sufficient depth, rushed passed him until they got out of reach of his guns. Amongst the land forces of the Spaniards, was a regiment of negroes, elegantly uniformed and commanded by officers of their own race. This regiment was equipped and brought along more for the purpose of producing discontentment amongst the Carolina slaves and thus instigating insurrection, than for the purpose of fighting. General Oglethorpe had only eight hundred men on St. Simon's Island. He was anxiously expecting reinforcements from South Car- , olina. The Carolinians had determined that , since they had no confidence in Oglethorpe, they would put Charles Town in a state of , defense, and let Oglethorpe make the best he , could in repelling the Spaniards from Georgia. Finding that it would be impossible to ac- i complish anything by remaining on St. Simon's Island, Oglethorpe spiked his guns, destroyed i his military and other stores, and went to his j headquarters at Frederics. On the 18th of j July, the town was attacked by the advance 1; party of the enemy, but failed to accomplish anything ; besides, many of these were killed, i The commander of the Spanish forces sent three hundred men to support his advance . guard, but these were entrapped and abont two hundred of them taken prisoners. This encouraged both Oglethorpe and his men. I The old Eoman generals were accustomed to say that the results of the first skirmish indicated the final results of a campaign. Oglethorpe perceived that his safety de- , ponded upon constant watching. The Indian allies, who had been sent for as soon as intimations of the invasion had been received, responded promptly. These Indians were sent out in scouting parties for the purpose of retarding the progress of the Spaniards as much as possible. For such a work, no class of men were better adapted than the aborigi nee of America. Accustomed, from youth, to scour the woods in search of game, they were, by their mode of life, trained to watch an invading foe. In this work of scouting, they were assisted by the Highland regiment. These Highlanders were no less brave than the Indians, and but little less savage; and, besides, their hatred for the Spanish was unconquerable. RanAAtad attemnts were made bv the inva dera to reach Frederica. Every effort was in vain. The fierce savages and the Highlanders, thirsting for revenge, lay concealed in the thickets and in the swamps, and from these dark hiding places, poured destruction and death into the advancing columns of the invading foe. So great was the hindrance produced by these scouts, that the Spanish soldiers said "the devil himself could not reach Frederica, so long as the Highlanders and Indians lay concealed in th6 surrounding thickets." Don Manuel de Monteano, the commander in chief of the invaders, after having lost a number of his officers, besides several hundred men killed and more taken prisoners, determined to change his mode of attack. During the flowing of the tide some vessels were sent up the river, whilst the main body of his army was kept under cover of his cannon. However Oglethorpe conducted himself during the expedition against St. Augustine, he now showed himself an able general. Necessity may have stimulated his brain and selfpreservation prompted to vigorous action. Be that as it may, he showed himself equal to ? ?? ? * C?iin!nk AAmmfln^Aii Jrl lue euiergeuuy. iue upuion uuiuiuouu^i u>u not entrap him. A body of Indians were sent secretly up the river to watch the vessels and prevent the men from landing. It was not their object to land. It was simply a ruse de guerre?a trick of war. Oglethorpe now determined to attack the Spanish camp during the night. A prisoner, whom the Spaniards had captured, managed to effect his escape and make good his return to Frederica. From this individual it was ascertained that there was a serious difficulty existing between the Spanish troops. On account of this difficulty, those troops from Havana camped in one place and those from Florida in another place. This fact suggested to Oglethorpe the propriety of a night attack upon one of the camps. For the execution of this plan, three hundred men were chosen, together with the Highland regiment. With a perfect knowledge of the country, the party succeeded, without being discovered, in arriving within two miles of the enemies' camp. "J Here they halted, and Oglethorpe and a few , men went forward to reconnoiter. In this party of men was a Frenchman whose treacherous soul led him to fire off his gun and dash, with all possible speed, to the Spanish camp. This frustrated the present plan, but it did not frustrate General Oglethorpe. He saw at once that it would, since the Frenchman had gone to the Spanish camp, be extremely hazardous to proceed farther with his night at tack. He immediately set out for his camp at Frederica, and set to work to counteract any and everything .the deserting Frenchman might do or say. He wrote a letter to the Frenchman, in which he addressed him as if he were a spy, whom he had sent into his enemy's camp, for the purpose of learning their movements, and secretly directing their actions. Among other instructions given this k/i too a nK a f a npf Ut^Cri/CI | 111 tliO ICbtCl | UO TV do g v?v? w |/v* suade the Spaniards to make an immediate attack upon Frederica. He was instructed to tell them that it was in a defenceless condition, and the garrison was weak, and that success would be sure in the event it was at once assailed. In the event he should fail in this, he was to make a strenuous effort to detain the Spanish forces for at least three days at Fort Simon ; for within that time he, (Oglethorpe) would be reinforced by a land force of two thousand men and a fleet of six British ships. The deserter was further charged to keep it a profound secret that General Vernon was soon to make an attack upon St. Augustine. A Spanish prisoner was hired, by Oglethorpe, to take this letter, and give it to the deserter. The work was readily undertaken, since the prisoner gained his freedom by it Instead, however, of giving the letter to the ? ? 3 iL . 1 J e French deserter, it was piacea in toe nanus ui Monteano, the commander-in-chief of the Spanish army. This was just what Oglethorpe specially desired. The Frenchman, who had deserted from Oglethorpe, was put in irons on the spot. A consultation was held over the mysterious letter. Some thought it was a letter written by Oglethorpe to a genuine spy, and its meaning was what its words literally imparted. Others thought it was a Sham, intended simply to deceive the Spanish commander. What the final conclusion would have been it is hard to say, but whilst the consultation was going on, three small ships, which the Governor of South Carrlina had Bent out, appeared in sight. This settled the question. The three ships were taken for a part of the six British ships, mentioned in the letter, and the whole Spanish camp was soon in a panic. Their fort was set on fire, and in the greatest confusion all embarked?leaving their cannon, ammunition and supplies all behind. The wind was unfavorable for the three South Carolina ships, and the Spanish array sped past them and hastened to St. Augustine. Finding that they had been outwitted and gained no advantage whatever, the Spanish threatened another invasion ; but the threat was never put into execution. Oglethorpe showed himself in every respect more than a match for the Spanish. Taught by their failure in this expedition a lesson which they never forgot, the Spanish in Florida, and the English in South Carolina, lived without any further hostilities. In 1763 Spain ceded Florida to England, and then the bone of contention was removed. Truth requires us to say, that in this matter, South Carolina acted badly. Nothing was done, although Oglethorpe was importunate until, in the language of the statute itself, "a considerable body of Spanish troops had actually landed in the colony of Georgia." This statute is dated July the 10th, 1742. No doubt our fathers were ashamed of. their conduct, and made honorable amends for the indifference with which they had treated their youDger sister when in distress. At least, from that day to this, Georgia and South Carolina have lived side by side in harmony ; rejoicing with Jtiflfc other in their prosperity and sympathiiifo^witfi each other when in trouble. [to be continued next week.]