Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FeIlow Citizens Of. The Senate
and House Of RepresentdLives:

best evAApces OF their capacity 10 realize tie
hopes & be founders Of political system, at
once clAfex and symmetrical. While the
differed branches of the Government are, to
certaina>xte independent of each other, the
duties OVAL, alike have direct reference to the
source JEpower. Fortunately, under this sys-
TEN, no man is so high, and none so humble, IN
the scale of public station, as to escape from
the scrutiny, or to be exempt from the RESPONSE
bii,y, which all Official functions imply
Upon The Justice and intelligence OF the mass
es, in government thus organized, ~ the so'e
reliance If the confederacy, and the only secu
ritz for honest and earnest devotion to l's inter
esls against the usurpatlohs and eHcroachments
of power on the one hand, and the assaults OF
personal ambition on the other.
The interest of which have spoken, is Ia
separabe from an iuquring, set-governl.g com
munity, but stimulated, doubtless, at the present
time, BY the unsettled condition OF our relations
with several foreign powers; by the new oo.'ga-
lions resulting from sudden extension OF the
field Of enterprises; by the spirit with which tha'
field has been entered, and the amazing energy
with which its resources for meeting the de-
monds of humanity have been developed.
Although disease, assuming at one time me
characteristics OF widespread and devastating
pestiIence has Fl its sad traces upon some por-
tions Of our country, we have sun the mos,
abundant, cause for reyerent hankfulness to God
for an accumulation OF signal mercies showefed
upon us as a nation. 1t is well that conscious
ness of rapid advancement and increasing
strength be habitualy associated with an add
ing sense Of dependence upon Him who holds
| in his hands The destiny OF men and OF natlons
Recognlzing the wisdom OF the broad pr'nci
pIe of sbsoIute religious liberation proclaimed
| 10 our fundamental law, md rejoicing III the
Benign influence which II has exerted upon our
social and political coalition, | should shrink
from clear duty, did fail to express my deep
est conviction, that we can place no secure reli'
ance upon any apparent progress, II It De no'
sustained By national integrity, resting upon the
great ruh rs affirmed and illustrated by divine
revelation. In the midst OF our sorrow tor the
afflicted and suffering, it has been consollng t.
see how promptly disaster made true nelghoors
Of districts aud cities separated widely iron
each other, and cheering to watch the strength
Of that common bond of brotherhood, which
untes all hearts, in all parts Of The Union, VIII
danger threatens from abroad, or calamity lin
ponds ovet rs at home.
Oar diplomatic relations with foreign powers
have undergone no essential change since the
adj,u nncnl of the last Congress. With some
of them, questions OF slurbiDg haracter arc
still pending, but there are good reasons TO be
cve that these may all be am'cably adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain has so con
slred he first urtlcle of the convention OF The
20th OF Apr, 1918, in regard to the fisheries OF
the northeastern coast, as to exclude our citizens
from some of the fishing grounds, to which they
freely resorted FIR nearly quarter OF century
subsequent 10 he date OF that treaty. The United
States hive never acqnlesced III TINS cons'rnc
ton, but have always claimed for their fishermen
all the rights which they had so long en]oye'
without mple!tatlun. With view to remove al
difficulties on the subject, to extend the rights
our fishermen beyond tho limits fixed by thu
convention u! 1913, and to regulate trade be
tween the United States and the British NOrll
American Provinces, negotiation has oeeI
opened, wiha fair prospect OF IA favorable re
suit. To project our fishermen IN the enjoymcn
OF their rights and prevent collision between
them am, Brush tishcinen, deem it expedl
en to station naval force IN lha, quarter duriD!
the fishing season,
Enb rrasslng questions have also arisen be
tween The two govern nrnts III regard TO Contra
America. Great Britain has proposed 10 set;l
them by an amlcnb1e arran cement, and our min
lister al London IS instructed to en;er into nego
tIatlons 90 that subject.
A commission Tor adjusting the claims OF on
citizens aga,lst .tsreat Bita'n, and those of Brit
ISL subjects asafyAI' the Unned SAaie-, org mz-
under The convention of the Sch OF February last
is nov ,iliin! II l.rn1on for the transaction {
business
Il Is in many respects d. stahie that the bound
ary line D. tween The limited States aud lie Bul
ish ptoviucrs IN The nntavat, as des,ghtted i
the convention of the l5,h OF Jnne, 1916, an
especially that part which separates the FerrllO
nv of Washington from the Brush Possession
on The north, should b. Traced and marked.
therefore present the subject TO your notice.
With France our rea i,ns continue IN tn
most friendly to,lng. The extensive co.mnere
between the United States aud that countr
might, it ls conceped, be released from som
unnecs:s iry rc~llct,nus 10 'he mutual advinta e
of both plr,ips With view to this object
some progr, IS has been made N negotiating
treaty Of commerce and Navigation.
Independently Of our valuable trade wit
Spain, we have important political relations viii
her, growing out Of our ncighhnrhJod 10 IN
island Of Cnba and Porto RICO. am happy I
announce. that since The last Congress no al
tennis O have been made, by Unauthorized ex
petitions within the United States against ehe
of those colonies. Should any movement
manifested within our limits, all the means a
nv command will be vigorously exerled to re
press it,. Several Annoying occurrences hav
taken place at Havana, or III the vicinity OF III
island OF Cuba betweeu our citizens and tn
Spanish authorities. Considering the proxin
OF that island to our shres-IyIng as it does i
the track of irnde between some OF our principa
cities-.and the suspicious vigilance with whic
foreign tecoutse. particularly that with lh
United States is there guarded, Tepelii N c
such occurrences may well be apprehended. A
no diplomatic intercourse Is allowed between 0u
consul at Havana and the Caplain-General q
Cuba ready explanations cannot be made, G
prompt redress afforded, where injury has resu
ted. A III complaint on the part OF our citizens
under the present arrangement, must be, in III
first place, presented TO this government, an
then referred to Spain. Spain again refers it I
her local authorities IN Cuba for investigation
and sip0nes an answer till she has heard frol
those authorizes. To avoid these irritating an
vexaious dsssys,a proposition has been made t
provide for direct appeal Tor redress to tn
Captain-G General, by our c0nsul, in behalf of gu
injured fellow citizens. Hitherto, the govern
meut of Spain has declined to enter into an
such arrangement. This course on her part
deeply regretted ;Ior, without some arrangement
of thus kind, the good understanding betwee
the two countries may be exposed to Occasional
interruption. Our minister at Madrid is nstruC
ted to renew the proposition, AID press it agal
upon the consideration Of her Catholic Majesty
government.
For several years Span has been calling thu
attention of this government 10 claim for loss
es, by some OF her subjects. 10 the case of th
little schooner 'Alnislad.' This clcim is believe
to rest on the obligations imposed by oar exstin
treaty with that country. Its justice was ad
mtled, in our diplomatic correspondence wit
the Spanish Government, as early as Marcel
1916 and one Of my predecessors in his sonua