Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-12-10


Cuba. "a
The subject Is commended to your con-
sioeratlon, with all the more earnestness
because am satisfied that the time has ar
rived wnen even SO direct proceeding as
proposition for annexation of the two
of the Island of st. Domingo
would not only receive the consent of The
people interested, but would also give sat-
isfaction to all other foreign nations.
l am aware that upon the question of
further extending our possessions it is ap-
pretended by some that our political sys-
tenn cannot successfully be applied to an
area more extended than our continent,
but the conviction is rapidly gaining
ground in the American mind that with
the increased facilities for iDter-communi-
cation between all portions of the
earth, the principles of free Government,
as embraced in our Constitution, if faith.
iully maintained and carried out, woul1
prove OF sufficient strength and breadth to
comprehend within their sphere and in
nuence the civilized nations of the world.
Ihe attention OF the Senate and of Ccn-
gress is again respectfully invited to the
treaty for the establishment of commercial
reciprocity with the Hawaiian kingdom,
entered into last year, and already ratified
by that Government. The attitude of the
United States towards these islands is not
very different from that in which they
stand towards the West Indies. 1t is known
and felt by the Hawaiian Government and
people that their Government and ihstitu-
tions are feeble and precarious; that the
United States being so near a neighbor
would be unwilling TO see the islands pass
under foreign control Their prosperity
is continually disturbed by expectations
and alarms of unfrendly political proceed
ings, as well from the United States as
from foreign powers. A 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 until the people of the is
lands shall of themselves, at no distant
day. voluntarily apply for admission into
the Union. . sf Ilaii-esii - ~, ,s-.,sf5s T-f
The Emperor of Russia has acceded to
the treaty negotiated here in January last
! for the security. of trade marks in the in
terest of manufacture and commerce.
have invited his attention to the impor-
ance OF establishing now, while it seems
easy and practicable, a fair and equal reg
ulation OF the vast fisheries 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-
! suiar powers and the extradition of crimf-
mails, negotiated and ratified here during
the last session of Congress, have been ac-
cepted and confirmed by the Italian Gov
| ernment. ---sf-ets -. -r,,r1
A liberal consular convention, which
has been negotiated with Belgium, viii be
submitted to the Senate. 5.si1
The very important treaties which were
| negotiated between the United States ana
North Germany and Blvaria, for the regu-
lation OF the rights of naturalized citizens,
have been duly ratified and exchanged,
and similar treaties have been entered into
with the Kingdom of Belgium and Wus.
| temburg, and with the Grand Duchies of
Baden and Hess e-darmstadt. I hope sc on
4 to be able to submit. equally satisfactory
4 conventions of the same character, now in
the course of negotiation, with the respec-
tive Governments of Spain, Italy and the
Ottoman Empire (T(A Etlg'TJEf
the United States by the Hudson's, Bay
Company anddhe PHge:'s Sound Agrieui-
| tural Company. on account of certain pos
sessary rights in the State of Oregon and
Territory of Washing ton, alleged by these
companies In virtue of the provisions of
the treaty between 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 adjudica-
| ton by the treaty between the two govern
ments of July lst, 1868, and it is expected
to be concluded at an early day. No prae-
'tical relation concerning colonial trade and
| the fisheries ccan be accomplished by
treaty between the United States and Great
Britain until Congress shall have express
ed their Judgment concerning the prinei-
| Piles inVolved.i3 - 81 H,=Ea ~
o Three other questions, however, between
the United States and Great Britain, re-
main open for adjustment. These are the
mutual rights of naturalized citizens, the
boundary question, involving the title to
the island of San Juan, on the Pacific
| coast, and the mutual claims arising since
| the year 1858. OF the citizens and subjects
of the two countries, for injuries and dep
relations committed under the authority
of their respective Governments. eNegotia-
| tions upon these subjects are pending, and
am-not without hope of being able to lay
before the Senate, for its consideration DUR
ing the present session, protocols calcu-
late d TO bring to an end these justly excit-
ing and long existing controversies.
| We are not advised of the action OF the
Chinese Government upon the liberal and
suspicious treaty which was recently cele-
brated with its Plenipotentiaries at this
| Capital. a. LtC<5Itj}
| Japan remains q theater of civil war,
marked by religious incidents and political
seventies peculiar to that long isolated em-
pire- The Executive has hitherto MAIN
tanned astrict neutrality among the beiiig-
erents, and acknowledges with pleasure that
it has been frankly and fully sustained in
that course by the enlightened concurrence
and cooperation OF the other treaty pow
4 ers, viz: Great Britain, France, the Neither
lands, North Germany and Italy.
| Spain having recently undergone a rev.
olutiOn, mai ked by extraordinary unanim-
ity and preservation of order, the Provi-
siOnal Government established at Madrid
has been recognized and the friendly in
tercourse which has SO long happily exist
ed between the two countries remains un-
changed.
| L renew the Recommendation contained
in ,aaf 1,ta
the 18th of July last, q copy of which ac-
companies this message, that the judgment
of the people should be taken on the pro-
priety of SO amending the Federal Consti-
tntion1 that it shall provide, first, for an
election of President and Vice President
by a direct vote of the people, instead of
through the agency of electors, and max
ing them ineligible for reelection to q
second term; second, for a distinct desig-,
nation of .he person who shall discharge
the duties of President in the, event of o
vacancy in that Office, by the death, resig-'
nation or removal of both the President
and Vice President; third, for the election
OF Senators of-the United States directly
the people of the several States, instead of
by the Legislatures; and fourth, for the
limitation to a period of years OF the terms
of Federal Judges. % ~''- 50
Profoundly impressed with the proprie-
ty of making these important modifc .
tions in the Constitution respectfully
submit them for the early and mature CON-
sideration of Congress. We should, as far
as possible, remove all pretext for viola
tions of the organic law, by remedying
such imperfections as time and experience
may develop, ever remembering that the
Constitution, which at any time exists,
until changed by an explicit and authentic
act of the whole peonle, is sacredly obliga-
tory upon all. l.ts ~ s---a..@---
Inothe performance of duty imposed
upon me by the Constitution, have thus
communicated to Congress information OF
the state of the Union, and recommended
for their consideration such measures as