The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-12-17

a liberal consular convention, which
has been negotiated with Belgium, will
be submitted to the Senate.
RIGHTS OF NATURALIzED CITIZENS.
The very important treaties which
were negotiated between the United
States and North Germany and Bava-
ria; for the regulation of the rights of
natuPalized citizens, have been ratified
and exchanged, and similar treaties
have been entered into with the King
dom of Belgium and Wurtemburg,
and with the Grand Duchess of Baden
and Hesse Darmstadt. haJ 81
ISL hope soon to be able to submit
equally " satisfactory conventions of the
same character, now in course of ne
gotiation, with the respective govern
ments of Spain, Italy and the Otto
man Empire.
THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
The examination of claims against
the United States by the Hudson
Bay Company and the Puget's Sound
Agricultural Company, on account of
certain Possessory rights in the State
of Oregon and Territory of Washing
ton, alleged by those companies in
virtue of the provisions of the treaty
between the United States and Great
Britain of June 15, 1916, has been dill
gently prosecuted under the direction
of the joint international commission,
to which they were submitted for ad-
judication. by the treaty between the
two governments, July /, 1863, and
will be concluded at an early day. ~
No practical relation 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. r ...,-,r ~,
Three other questions, however, be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain remain open for adjustment.
These are, the mutual rights of natu-
rallied citizens !; the boundary ques-
ton Gnvolving the title to the Island
of San Juan, on the Pacific coast), and
mutual claims arising since the year
1855, of the citizens and subjects of the
countries, for injuries and depreda-
tions committed under the authority
of their respective governments. Ne
gotiations upon these subjects are
pending, and am not without hope of
being able to lay before the Senate for
its consideration, during the present
session, protocols calculated to bring
to an end these justly-exciting and
long-eXisting controversies.
.-4a THE CHINESE TREATY.
= We are not advised of the action of
the Chinese government upon the
liberal and auspicious treaty which
was recently negotiated with its pleni-
potentiaries at this capital.
OUR RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.
Japan remains theatre of civil war,
marked by religious incidents and po-
itical seventies peculiar to that long
isolated Empire. The Executive has
hitherto maintained strict neutrality
among the belIgerents, and acknowl-
edges with pleasure that he has been
frankly, and fully sustained in that
course by the enlightened concurrence
and cooperation of the treaty powers
namely, Great Britain, France, the
Netherlands, North Germany and
Italy.
THE NEW ORDER OF THINGS IN SPAIN.
Spain having recently undergone a
revolution marked by extraordinary
unanimity and preservation of order,
the provisional government establish
ed at Madrid has been recognized, and
the friendly intercourse which has
long happily existed between the two
countries remain unchanged 1A-
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
I. i renew the recommendations con-
tanned in my communication to Con-
gress, dated the 18th of July. last-a
copy Of which accompanies this mes
sage-that the Judgment of the people
should be taken on the propriety OF
:. SO amending the Federal constitution
that it shall provide
r. l. For an election of President and
Vice President by direct vote of the
people, instead of through the agency
of electors, and making them ineligi-
BILE for reelection to second term.
u 2. For distinct designation of the
person who shall discharge the duties
of President in the event of vacancy
in that Office by the death, resignation
or removal of both the President and
Vice President. f
rl 3. For the election of Senators o.
the United States directly by the peo
pie of the several States, instead o.
by the Legislatures.
4. For the limitation to a period o.
years of terms of Federal judges.
Profoundly impressed with the pro-
priety of making these important
notifications in the constitution, / re
spectfully submit them for the early
and mature consideration of Congress
We should, as far as possible, re
move all pretexts for violations of thu
organic law, by remedying such i'm
!. perfections as time and experience
may develop, ever remembering thai
the constitution, which at any time
exists until changed by an explicit anG
authentic act of the whole people, il
sacredly obligatory on all.
...5 t.,s-fSr..,- CONCLUSION. t,f.
In the performance of a duty i'm
posed upon me by the constitution,
have thus communicated to Congress
information of the state of the Union
and recommended for their considera
ton such measures as have seemed t,
me necessaryta and expedient. If car
tried into effect they will hasten the &C
: complishment of the great and benefi
cent purposes for which the censtitu
ton was ordained, and which it com
tprehensiyely states were to form
= more perfect Union, establish justice
insure domestic tranquility, proVid
for the common defense, promote tn
general welfare and secure the bless
1 ings of liberty to ourselves and ou
posterity. a5Il.fs7 ss4 sl.sis,s g5af
In Congress are vested all legisla
tive powers, and upon them devolve
the responsibility as well for framin
uniyersal and excessive laws, as fo
+ neglecting to devise and adopt meas
. ures absolutely demanded by the want
of the country.
ii Let us earnestly hope that befor
the expiration. of our respective term
of service, now rapidly drawing to
close, on all these Providence will S
guide our counsels as to strenghte
and preserve the Federal Union, in
spire, reverence for the constitution
,.nctora 11rocDapitu and haDniOoss I