Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-01-01
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
DECEMBER S, 1921.
Fellow Citizens of the Senate,
and fthc House Of Repre-

and ofthe House Of Representatives,
The progress of our affairs since the
last session has been such as may Justly
be claimed and expected, under govern
ment deriving all its powers from an EN-
lighened people, and under laws formed
by their representatives., on great con.
sideration, for the sole purpose ofpromo-
ting the welfare and happiness of their
Constituents. In the execution of those
laws, and OF the powers vested by the
constitution in the Executive, unremi,ted
attention has been paid to the great OBJ
iects to which they extend. In the con-
Germs which are exclusively internal,
there is good cause to be satisfied with
the result. The laws have had their due
operation and affect. In those relating
to foreign powers, am happy to state
that peace and amity are preserved with
all by strict observance, on both sides,
of the rights of each. In matters touch
ing our commercial intercourse, where a
difference OF opinion has existed, in any
case, as to the conditions on which it
should be placed, each party has pursued
its own polocy, without giving Just cause
OF offence to the other. In this annual
communication, especially when it is adj
dressed to a new Congress, the whole
scope of our political concerns naturally
comes into view that errors, if such
have been committed, may be corrected ;
that defects, which have become mani
fest, may be rcmedied; and on the other
hand that measures which were adopted
on due deliberation, and which expe-
,ience has shown are just in themselves,
and essential to the public welfare, should
be persevered in and supported. Inper-
forming this necessary and very lmpor-
tant duty, shall endeavor to place be-
fore you, on its merits, every subject that
is thought to be entitled to your particu.
lar attention, in as distinct and clear a
light as may be able.
By an act ofthe Sd of March, 1915, so
much ofthe several acts as imposed high
er duties on the tonnage OF foreign YES
sells, and on the manufactures and pro-
duc,ions of foreign nations, when import
ed into the United States in foreign YES
sells, than when imported in vessels OF
the United States, were repealed, SO
far as respected the manufactures and
productions Of the nation to which such
vessels belonged, on the condition, that
the repeal should take effect only in favor
of any foreign nation, when the Executive
should be satisfied that such discrimina-
ting duties, to the disadvantage of the
United States, had likewise been repealed
by such nation. By this act propo-
sition was made to all nations to place
our commerce with each on basis,
which, it was presumed, would be &C
ceptable to all. Every nation was allow
ed to bring its manufactures and pro-
auctions into our ports, and to take the
manufactures and productions Of the
United States back to their ports, in theil
own vessels, ON the same conditions thai
they might be transported in vessels Of
the United States and, in return, it wa.
required that like accommodation
should be granted to the vessels Of the
United States in the ports of other pow
ers. The articles to be admitted, or pro
hibited, on either side, formed no part o
the proposed arrangement. Each party
would retain the right to admit or pro
hibit such articles from the other, as i
thought proper, and on its own condi
, lions.
When the nature Of the commerce be.
tween the United States and every othel
country was taken into view, it wa.
thought that this propc, ..o., would b,
considered fair, and even liberal, by every
power. The exports of the United
States. consist generally of articles OF the
first necessity, and Of rude materials ir
demand for foreign manufactures, o.
great bulk, requiring for their ,ransporta.
ton many vessels, the return for which
in the manufactures and productions Of
any foreign country, even when disposed
of there to advantage, may be brongh, in
! single vessel. This observation is
more especially applicable to those coun-
tries from VIII h manufactures alone are
imported, but / applies, in a great cx-
tent, TO the European dominions Of every