Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

aud which are now dIScio1lng themselves
more distinctly than heretofore in the Island
Cuba The subject Is commended TO your
consideration with all the more earneStness
because am satisfied that the time has ar
rived when even 30 direct prOce edlng 4
II position for annexation of the two repub
lies of the Island of St. Domingo woul not
only receive the consent of the people IN
terested, but would also give sati faction to
all other foreign ma ions. / am awne 'hit /
upon the question of further extending our
possessions II Is apprehended by some mat
our political system cannot sIcc -ssiuliy oe
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 inter commu !
nIcatiCn between all portions of the earth, |
the principles ofiree governmentas embodied |
In our constitutions, il faithfully maintained
and carried out, would prove of sufficient
strength and breadth to comprehend within
its sphere and influence the civilized nal ions
of the world
The attention of the Senate, and Con-
gress, Is again resi- ectfully invited to the
treaty for rhe establishment of commercial
reciprocity with the Hawaiian Kingdom, ,er-
tered into last year, and already ratified by
that Government. The attitude of the III
ted States toward these islands is not very
different from that in which they stand to-
WdFu TIE w est IL Is Known ana Ielt
by the Hawaiian Government and people
that their government and Institutions are
feeble and precarious, that the United States
being so near an nelghbor. would be unwil-
ling to see the Islands pass under foreign
control Their property Is ntinuIly dis
turbed by expectations and alarms OF un.
friendly political proceeding, as well from
the United States from foreig gn power.
A reciprocity treaty, while it could not ma
ta-ra ll.r INr.rt tt..a,-
ted States, would be guarantee 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 al
mission into the Union. The Emperor of
Russia has acce led to the treaty negeiia
ted here in January last for the security of
trade marks In the interest of manufacture
and commerce. have invited his attention
to the Importance of establishing now viii e
it seems easy and practicable, fair AMI
equal regulation of the vast fisheries belong
ing 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 exiradition of Crimi-
nals negotiated and satifed here during
the last session of the thirty ninth Congress
has been acespted and confirmed by the
Italian Government.
liberal Consular Convention which has been
negotiated with Belgium will be suI mitred to the
. Senate, The very important treaties which were
negotiated between the United States and North
Germany and Bavaria for the regulation IF the
rights of naturaiZed citizens have been duiy rtt-
ifed and exchanged, and similar treaties have
been entered into with the Kingdom of Belgium
and Wurtemburg. and with the Grand Ouch Ies of
Baden and Hesse Darmsttdt L hope soon TO be
able to submit equally satisfactory conventions a
the same character now in the course of negoria
tion With tae respective governments of Spain
Italy and the ottaman Empire.
ty.,. us. IL
. by the Hudson Bay Company. and the Puy.t's
Sound Agricultural Company on account of Ger
tain possessory rights in the State of Oregon aud
Territory of WashI ngtnn. alleged by those com
panies in various provisions of treaty be weeu
the United States and Great Britain of June 10Th
1876, has been diligently prosecuted under the
direction of the Joint International Commission
to which they were submitted for adjudication py
the treaty between the two Governments of july
lst 1868, aud, it is expected will be concluded at
an early day. No practical relation concerning
colonial trade and the fisheries be accomplish
ed by treaty between the United States and
Great Britain. until Congress sha have express
ed their Jud snent concerning the principIes in
yolved Three other instances, however between
the United States and Great Brit ain remain omen
for adjustment. These are the mutual rights of
naturalized citizens the boundary question in
volving 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
twocountries for injuries and depredations com
mitted under the authority of their respective
GoverAments Negotiations upon these subjects
are pending. gnd ain not without hone of bainp
able to lay before the Senate for its consideration
during the present se sion, protocols calculated
10 bring to an end these justly exciting and long
existing controversies We are not advised of the
action of the Chinese Government upon tie iIhe
al and suspicious treaty which recently ceje-
brsted with its pleni pOtentiaries this capital
Japan remains theatre OF civil war. marke
bg religious incidents and political seventies pc
eulisT 70 that long isolated empire The ex.ru
tive has hitherto maintained strict neutrality a.
moLg the belligeTenis, and acknowledges with
pleasure mat II has eeeu frankly and fully
tanned IN that course by the enlightened concur
renee and cooperation of the other treaty pow
namely: Great Britain, France The Neib.r
lands. North Germany and IaIy
Spain having recently underg n revolpt;op
marked by extraordinary unanmi ' and preser
vatisn of order. the Provisional Government as
tabished at Madrid has been recog nzei and the
friendly dlyintercourse which has So lon, happityex.
listed between the two co sntries remains uucban-
ged | renew the recomm alton contained in
my communication to Congress dated the sth Of
July last. a copy OF which accompanies this mes.
sage that the Judgment of the deople should he
taken the propriety of amending the Fed
eral Constitution that IL sh all provide
First, For an election of President and
Vice President by direct vote of the peo-
pie, instead of through the agency of elec
tors and making them Ineligible tor re elec-
ton 10 second term.
Second, For distinct designation of the
person who shall discharge the duties of
President in the event et a vacancy in that
Office by the death, resignation or removal
OF Uolu tuc L tc>iuSut Ice tfG> luent.
Third. For the election of Senators of the
United States directly by the people OF the
several States instead of by the LegIsla ure>.
Fourth. For the limitation To a period If
years of the terms of Federal Judges. Pr
foundly impressed with the propriety of una
king these important notifications in The,
Constitution, respectfully submit them for
the early and mature consideration OF Con
gress. We should, as far as possible. re
move all pretext for violations of the organ
ic law, by remedying such imperfecson> as
time and experience may develope, ever re-
memhering that the Consttution shich at
any time exists, until changed by an explicit
and authentic act Of the whole people. i,
seyerally binding upon ALL
In the performance cf duty imp ,sed
upon me by the Constitution, have thus
communicated to Congress information os
the state OF the Union, and recommended
for its consideration such measures a, have
seemed to me necessary and expedient I, |
carried into effect they will hasten the ,al
complishment of the great and beDetcan,
purposes for which the constitution was or,