Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1865-12-21
nLet all the ends be thy Counys thy Gods and Truths
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN: DEC. 2L 1885.

uiS SIto"ltlOii' Oui iNi'e'OiiS "ieN
the Emperor of China, SO recent
in their origin, are most friendly
Our commerce with his dominions
is receiving new developments;
and it is very pleasing to find that
the Government OF that great
Empire manifests satisfaction with
our policy, and reposes just conf
dence in the fairness which marks
our intercourse. The unbroken
harmony between the United
States and the Emperor of Russia
is receiving a new support from an
enterprise designed to carry tele-
graphic lines across the continent
of Asia, through his dolninions,
and to connect us with all Europe
by a new channel of intercourse.
Our commerce with South Ameri-
ca is about to receive encourage
ment by a direct line of mail
steamships to the rising Empire of
Brazil. The distinguished party
of men of science who have re-
Gently left our country to make a
scientific exploration of the natu-
raj history and rivers and noun
tain ranges of that region. have
received from the Emperor that
generous welcome which was to
have been expected from his con-
slant friendship for the United
States, and his well-known zeal in
promoting the advancement Of
knowledge. A hopeis entertained
that our commerce with the rich
and populous countries that bor-
der on the Mediterranean sea may
be largely increased. Nothing
will be wanting, on the part OF this
Government, to extend the protec-
ton Of cur flag over the enterprise
of our feEow-citizens. Wereceive
from the Powers in that region
assurances of good will; and it is
worthy Of note that special envoy
has brought US messages of condo
lence on the death of our late
Chief Magistrate from the Bey of
Tunis, whose rule includes the old
dominion of Carthage, on the
African coast.
Our domestic contest, now hap
PLY ended, has left some traces in
our relations with one at least of
the great maritime Powers. The
formal accordance of belligerent
rights to the insutgent States was
unprecedented, and has not been
justified by tue issue. But in
the systems of neutrality pursued
by the Powers which made that
concession, there was a marked
difference. The materials Of war
for the insnrgent States were
furnished, in a great measure,
from the workshops of Great
Britain; and British ships, manned
by British subjects, and prepared
for receiving British armaments,
sailed from the ports of Great
Britain to make war ON American
commerce, under the shelter of a
commission from the insurgent
States. These ships, having once
escaped from British ports, ever
afterwards entered them in every
part of the world, to refit, and to
renew their depredations. The
consequences of this conduct were
most disastrous tothe States in re-
bellion, increasing their desolation
and misery by the prolongation of
our civil contest. 1t had, more
over, the effect, to great extent,
to drive the American flag from
the sea, and to transfer much of
our shipping and our commerce to
the very Power whose objects had
created tie necessity for such Il
change. These events took place
before | was called to the admin
istration of the Government
The sincere desire for peace by
which | am animated led me to
approve the propostal already
made, to submit the questions
which had thus arisen between the
countries to arbitration. These
questions are of such moment
that they must have commanded
the attention of the great Powers,
and are so interwoven with the
peace, and interests Of every one
OF them rs to have ensured an I'M
partial decision. | regret to in
form you that Great Bfitain de-
olined the arbitrament, but, on
the other hand, invited us to the
formation of a joint commission