Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-12-16
am aware that, upon the question Of


but the conviction is rapidly gaining
ground in the American mind, that, with
the increased faciIi les for intercommuni
cation between all portions of the earth,
principles of free government, as embrac
. cd in our Constitution, if faithful ly main-
tanned and carried out would prove of
I sufficient strength and breadth to compre~
bend within their sphere and influence
! the civilized nations OF the world.
The attention of the Senate and of Con
! gress is again respectfully invited to the
! treaty for the establishment of commercial
reciprocity with she Hawaiian kingdom, en-
tered into last year and already ratified by
that government. The attitude of the Unit
ed States toward these Islands is not very
| different from that in which it stands to-
| ward the West Indies. 1t is known and telt
by the Hawaiian government and people
that their government and institutions are
| feeble and precarious; and that the United
States, being so near neighbOr, would be
| unwilling to see the islands passed under
foreign control. Their prosperity is contfn-
ually disturbed by expectations and alarms OF
unfrendlv political proceedings, as well
from the United States from other foreign
powers. 4 reciprocity treaty, while it could
not materially diminish the revenues of the
United States, would be guarantee of the
good will and forbearance of all nations, un-
til the people of the islands shall, of them
selves 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, and in the interest of
| manufactures and commerce, | have invited
his attention to the Importance of establish
ing now, while it seems easy and practical
BILE, fair and equal regulation of the is
lands belonging TO the two nations in the
waters of the North Pacific Ocean.
The two treaties between the United
States and Italy, for the regulation of con
sular powers and the extradition of GRIMM
ais, negotiated and ratified here during the
las session of Congress, have been accept
ed and confirmed by the Italian government.
4 liberal consular convention, which has
been negotiated with Belgium, will be sub
mitted TO the Senate.
The very important treaties which were
negotiated between the United States and
North Germany and Bavaria, for the regula-
tion of the rights of naturalized citizens
have been duly ratified and exchanged; and
similar treaties have been entered into with
the Kingdoms of Belgium and Wrtemburg,
| and with the grand duches of Baden and
HcsSe Darmstadt; and hope soon to be
able to submit an equally satisfactory con
/ vention of the same character. now in the
course of negotiation with the respective
governments of Spain, Italy and the Otto
man Empire.
The examination of the claims against the
United States by Hudson Bay Company, and
the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company on
account of certain possessory rights in the
| State of Oregon and Territory of Washingto II,
| alleged by those companies in virtue of pro
! visions of the treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, of June 9Th 1916,
! has been diligently prosecuted under the
direction of the joint international commits
sion to which they were submitted for adiu-
dcation by the treaty between the govern
ments of July LIST, 1868, and will, it is ex-
pected he concluded at an early day.
No practical regulation of the controversy
relative to the colonial trade and fisheries
can be accomplished by treaty between the
! United States and Great Britain until Con
| gress shall have expressed their Judgment
concerning the principles involved. Three
other questions, however, between the United
States and Great Britain remain open for
adjustment. These are, the mutual rights
of naturalized citizens; the boundary ques-
tion, involving the title to the island of San
Juan, on the Pacific coast; and mutual
| claims arising since the year 1853, of the
citizens and subjects of the two countries
! for injuries and depredations committed un-
der the authority Of their respective GOV
| ernments. Negotiations upon these sub
jects are pending, and am not without hope
| of being able to lay before the Senate, for
| its consideration, during the present SEES
sion, protocol, calculated to bring to al
end these justly-exciting and long-existing
| controversies.
We are not advised of the action of the
| Chimes government upon the liberal and aus
picious treaty which was recently celebrat-
ed with its plenipotentiaries, at this Capt.
al.
Japan remains theatre of civil war, mar
l-,,I llfrf,,
verities peculiar to that long isolated en-
pire The Executive has hitherto maintain
ed strict neutrality among the belligerents,
and Acknowledges with pleasure that it has
been frankly and fully sustained in that
course by the enlightened concurrence and
corporation of the other treaty powers
namely: Great Britain, the Netherlands
North Germany. and Italy.
Spain, having recently undergone a revo-
luton, marked by extraordinary unanimity
and preservation of order, the provisional
government established ut Madrid has been
recognized. The friendly intercourse whic
has so long happily existed between the two
countries remains unchanged,
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
I renew the recommendation contained in
my communication to Congress dated the
18th Of July last, a copy of which accompa
MES this message, that the Judgment of the
! people eubuiN bt TAKEN on the AFbpFlctE Ol
so amending the Federal Constitution that
il shall provide
l. For an election of President and Vice
President by a direct vote of the people, in
stead % through the agency of electors, anC
making them Ineligible for reelection TO
second term.
,. For distinct designation of the per
son who shall discharge the duties of Presi
dent, in the event of vacancy in that Office
by the death, resignation or removal of boil
the President and Vice President.
3. For, the election of Senators Of the
United States directly by the people of the
several States, instead of by the legisla
lures.
4. For the limitation to a period of year
. of the terms of federal judges.
Profoundly impressed with the prophet,
f of making these important notifications il
: the Constitution, respectfully submit then
| for The early and mature consideration 0
= Congress. We should, as far as possible
remove all pretexts for violations of the or
, Eanic law, by remedying such imperfection
aS time and experience may develop, eve
remembering that tie Constitution, which
at any time exists until changed by ex
plicit and authentic act by the whole PEG
pie, i sacrediy obligatory upon all.
= CONCLUSION.
In the performance of a duty imposed up
r on me by the Constitution, have thus com