Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-18

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 consideration in the Senate.
A new convention has been entered into with
Denmark, charging the time fixed for fusl
ratification of the original treaty. Compre-
hensive national policy would seem to sane
tion the acquisition and incorporation into
one federal union of the several adjacent
continental and insular communities as
speedily as it can be done peacefully, lawful
ly, and without any violation of national JUS
ice, faith and honor. Foreign possession
or control of these communities has hereto
fore hindered the growth and impaired til
influence of the United States. Chronic re-
volution and anarchy, then, would be equal
ly injurious. Each one Of them, when firm
iy established as an independent republic, or
when Incorporated into the United States,
would be new source Of strength and pow
er. Conforming my administration to these
principles, have on no occasion lent sup
port or federation to unlawful expeditions
set on foot upon the plea of republican pro-
pagandism or of national extension or az
grandizement. The necessity, however. of
representing such unlawful movement clear
ly indicates the duty which rests upon US of
adopting our Legislative action to the new
circumstances of decline Of European mon
archial power and influence, and the increase
of American republican ideas, interests, and
sympathy. 1t cannot be long before it will
become necessary for this Government to
lend some effective aid to the solution of the
political and social problems which are con-
tlnually kept before the world by the two
republics of the island of St. Domingo, and
which are now disclosing themselves far
more distinctly than heretofore in the island
of Cuba. The subject is commended to
your consideration with all the more earnest
ness because am satisfied that time has al
rived when even so direct proceeding as a
proposition for an annexation of the repub-
lies Of the island Of St. Domingo would
not only receive the consent of the people
interested, but would also give satisfaction
to all other foreign nations
l am aware that upon the question of fur
Their extending our possessions it is appre-
hended by some that our political system
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 ia
clllties for INSTRUMENTATION between all
portions of the earth the principles of free
government as embraced in our Constitution,
If faithfully maintained and carried out,
would prove of suficientstrength and breadth
to comprehend within their sphere and in
huence 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 the Hawaiian Kingdom en-
tered into last year and already ratified by
that Government. The attitude of the Uni
ted States towards these islands is not very
different from that in which they stand to-
wards the West Indies It is known and
felt by the Hawaiian Government and people
that their Government and institutions are
feeble and precarious. that the United States,
being so near neighbor would be unwilling
to see the islands pass under foreign control
Their prosperity is continually disturbed by
expectations and alarms Of unfriendly polit-
ical proceedings as well from the United
States as from other foreign Powers. A
reciprocity treaty, while it could not mate
rally diminish the revenues of the United
States, would be guaranty the good will
and forbearance Of all nations until the peo-
pie 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 trademarks in the interest of
manufactures and commerce. | have invi-
ted his attention to the Importance of estab-
fishing now, while it seems easy and practi-
cable, a fair and equal regulation 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 consular powers and the
extradition of criminals negotiated and rat
fled here during the last session of Congress
have been accepted and confirmed by the
Italian Government.
A 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 Ba-
varia for the regulation Of the rights of nat
uralized citizens, have been duly ratified and
exchanged, and similar treaties have been
entered into with the kingdoms of Belgium
and Wurtemburg, and with the Grand Ouch
les of Baden and Hesse-D armstadt. | hope
soon to be able to submit equally satisfacto-
ry conventions of the same character, now
in the course Of negotiation, with the respec-
tive Governments Of Spain, Italy, and the
Ottoman Empire Examination of claims
against the United States by the Hudson
Bay Company and the Puget's Sound Agri-
cultural Company, on account Of certain pos
sessory rights in the State of Oregon and
the Territory of Washington, alleged by
these companies, in virtue of provisions Of
the treaty between the United States and
Great Britain Of June Is, 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 Governments of Ju-
ly LIST, 1868, and will, it is expected, be-
concluded at an early day.
No practical regulation concerning colo
NAL trade and the fisheries can be accom-
plished by treaty between the United States
and Great Britain until Congress shall have
expressed their Judgement concerning the
principles involved.
Three other questions, however between
the United States and Great Britain remain
open for adjustment. These are the mutu-
al rights of naturalized citizens; the boun-
dairy question, involving the title to the is
land Of San Juan, On the Pacific coast and
mutual claims arising since the year 1853
of the citizens and subjects of the two coun-
tries for injuries and depredations committed
under the authority of their respective Gov
ernments. Negotiations upon these subjects