Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-11

PIES and make these communicates distrust II
not decided. government which, at viii, consigns
of our federal union. While ready to resent any
attempts by other nations to extend to this hem
isphere tise monarchial form of government as
sumes to establish over large portion of ite
people g rule more absolute, harsh and tyrannicaI
than any known to civilized powers.
The acquisition of Alaska was made with the
view of extending technical jurisdiction and re-
publican principles in the American hemisphere.
Beiieving that further step could be taken in
the same direction, I last year entered into
treaty with the King Of Denmark for the purchase
OF the islands of St. Thomas and st. John on the
best terms then attainable, and with the express
consent OF the people OF these islands. This treaty
still remains under cons liberation in the Senate
Denmark, enlarging the time fixed for final rsti-
ncauon OF the original treaty. Enterprising ma
tional policy would seem to satisfy the
acquisition and incorporation into our Federal
Union OF the several adjacent contineD al
and insular communities as speedily as it can be
done peacefully, lawfully and without any viola
ton OF national Justice, faith or honor. Foreign
possession or control Of those communities has
hitherto hindered the growth and impaired the
Influence of the United States. Chronic revolu-
ton and anarchy there would be equally injurious
Each one of them, when firmly established as an
independent republic, or when incorporated into
the United States, would be new source of
strength and power.
Conforming my administration to these prn-
ciples have On no occasion lent support or toll
Grafton to unlawful expeditions set on foot upon
the plea OF republican propagandism or of ma
t!onai extension or ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The neces-
slty, however of REFRESHING such unlawful move
ments clearly in lcates the duty which rests upon
Us OF adapting onr legislative action to the new
circumstances OF decline Of European mon
archal power and influence, and the increase of
American republican ideas, interests and sympa-
tAies. II cannot be long before it will become
necessary FOR this government to lend some ef-
tectivo aid 10 the solution of the political
and social problems which are continually
kept before the world by the two re-
pu6ic9 Of the Island OF Saint Domingo,
and which are now disclosing themselves more
distinctly than heretofore in the Island of
Cuba. The subject Is commended to your consid-
Grafton With all the more earnestness, because
am satlshed that the time has arrived when even
30 direct proceeding as PROPOSE iOn for an
nexatoG Of the two republics of the island of St.
Domingo would not only receive the consent of
the people interested but would also give satisfac-
ton to all other foreign nations. l aware that
upon the question of further extending our pos
sessions 1t is apprehended by some that our po-
hticai system cannot successfully be applied to an
area more extended than our continent. But the
convection Is rapidly gaining ground in
the American mind. that with the increased
facilities tor INSTRUMENTATION between all
portions OF the earth the principles of free gov
eminent, as embraced III constitution, if
faithfully maintained and carried out, would
prove Of sufficient strength and breadth TO COM
prehend within their sphere and influence the
civilized nations of the verdi
he attention of the Senate and OF Congress is
again respectfully invited the treaty for the es-
tn Dlshment OF commercial reciprocity with the
HaWlan kingdom, entered into last year, and
already ratified by that government. The
attitude of the United States towards these
Islands ls not very different from that in
which they stand towards the West In
dies. 1t Is known and felt by the Hawian
government and people that their government
and institutions feeble and precarious, and
that the United States being so near q neighbor
would be unwilling to see the islands pass under
foreign control. ia llv
disturbed by expectations aud alarms of unfrend-
~ political proceedings. well from the United
States as frum other foreign powers. A recipro-
clty treaty. while 1t could not materially diminish
the revenues Of the United States would be
guaranty of the good will and forbearance of all
nations until the people of the Islands shall of
themselves at no distant day, voluntarily apply
for admission into the Union.
The Emperor of Russia has acceded to the
treaty negotiated here in January last for the
security OF trade marks in the interest of anu
tacturers and commerce. / have invited his at
tentIOn to the Importance of establishing now
while 1t seems easy and practicable, fair and
equal regulation of the vast fisheries belonging
to the two nations in the waters of the North Pa
cifc ocean.
The two treaties between the United States and
Italy for the regulation Of consular powers and
the eEtradltlOn Of criminals, negotiated and rati-
fed here during the last session of Congress,
have been accepted and confirmed by the Italian
government. liberal consular convention which
has been negotiated with Belgian will be submit
ted to the Senate.
The very important treaties which were ne
gotltted between the United States and North
Germany and Bavaria for the regulation of the
rights or naturalZeG citizens have been duly rati
fed and exchanged. and similar treaties have
been entered into with the kingdoms of Belgium
and Wurtemburg, and with the Grand Duchies of
Baden and Hesse Darmstadt. l hope soon to be
able to submit equally satisfactory conventions of
the same character now in the course of negO
tiatlon with the respective governments of
Spain. Italy and the Ottoman empire.
EXamlD4ilDl
States by the Hudson Bay Co, and the Puget's
Sound Agricultural Co, an account Of certain
Territory of Washington, alleged by those COM
panies i'll virtue of provisions of the treaty be-
tween the United States and Great Britain of
June 18th 1916, has been diligently prosecuted
under the direction of the joint international
commission to which they were submitted for
adjudication by treaty between the two govern
ments Of July lst 1868, and will, its expected, be
concluded at an early day,
No prac ical regulation concerning colonial
trade and the fisheries can be accomplished by
treaty between the United States and Great
Britain uutil Congress shall have expressed their
Judgment concerning the principles involved
Three other questions, however, between the
United States and Great Britain emain open for
adjustment. These are the mutual rights of
naturalized citizens the boundary question in
volvlDg the title to the Island of San JUAN on the
Pacific coast, aud mutual claims arising since the
year 1853 OF the citizens and subjects of the two
countries Tor HI urles and depredatiOnS committed
under authority of their respective governments.
Negotiations upon these subjects pending
and am not without hope of being able to lay
before the Senate for it's consideration during
the present session, protocols calculated to bring
to an end these Justly exciting and long existing
controversies.
We not advised of the action of the Chinese
government upon the liberal and suspicious trea-
ty which was recently celebrated with it's pleni-
pOtentiaries at this capital.
Japan remains a theatre of civil war marked
by religious incidents and political severeties
peculiar to that long isolated empire The
Executive has hitherto maintained strict
neutrality among the belIigerents and
acknowledges with pleasure that it has
been frankly and fully sustained in that cause
by the enlightened concurrence and cooperation
of the other treaty powers, viz: Great Britain,
France, the Netherlands, North Germany and
Italy.
spain having recently undergone a revolution
marked by extraordinary unanimity and preser-
vation of order, the provisional government es-
tablished at Madrid has been recognized, and the
friendly intercourse which has 80 long happily
existed between the two countries remains un-
changed.
l renew the recommendation contained in nv
communication to Congress, dated the 18th July
last, copy of which accompanies this message,
that the Judgment of the people should be taken
on the prOprlety Of SO amending the Federal con-
stitui0D that it shall provide First for an cleo
ton of President and Vice-President by q direct
vote OF the people instead of through the agency
Of eln md tlavo JiriI,i For