The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-12-23
k [rrom the statosman.l sa
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The message of the President is too
lengthy document for US to publish.
and We shall give plain summary of
the various statements made in it.
After reference to the national pros
perity of our country, he gives part;c
ulars Of the protection afforded by the
Minister of the United States to for
eigners in France, and explains the
attitude of this country towards the
French nation; also of the proposal
to mediate, jointly with European ma
tions for the purpose of securing
peace. After alluding to the late
massacre of French aud Prussians in
China, the ratification OF treaty with
Great Britain of minor importance,
and the proper location of our north
ern boundary ho comes to the consid-
Grafton of the ST sal
ALABAMA CLAIMS. at s3
After stating that no conclusion has
been arrived at for the sc Element OF
this vexed question, and the difference
of opinion that prevails between the
two nations, the President says
The Cabinet of London, SO far as its
views have been expressed, does not
appear to be willing to concede that
Her Majesty's Government was guilty
of negligence, or did, or permitted
any act during the war by which the
United States has just cause of COM
plant. Our firm and unaltered con-
victions are directly the reverse.
therefore recommend to Congress to
authorize the appointment of Commits
sioners ts take proof OF the amounts
and ownership Of vessels, and their
claims, aud that authority be given
for the settlement of these claims by
the United States, so the Government
shall iave the ownership of the pri-
vate claims as we'll as the responsible
control Of all demands against Great
Britain. Whenever Her Majesty =
lGovernment shall entertain desire
for a full and friendly adjustment OF
these claims. the United States will
enter upon their consideration with an
earnest desire for o conclusion con.
sistent with the honor and dignity o!
both nations
The next important matter OF the
message refers to the
PROPOSED ACQUISITION CT SAN poMtyoo.
The President repeats his convic-
ton that the best interests of the coun-
TRY require the ratification of the
Treaty for tho purchase Of that
Island. He intinates tina. there il
danger that European nations will Sc.
cure the Bay of Sarnana as u free por:
if we do not speedily complete that
purchase. He adds: l.s.=f
The people of San Domingo are no,
capable of maintaining themselves III
their present position, and must lool
for outside. support. They yearn 70,
the protection OF our free institutions
and laws, our progress and civilira.
ton. Shall we refuse them? The nc.
QUESTION of San Domingo is desirable
because of its geographical position; -
lit commands the entrance to the Car
lribean Sea, and the Isthmus transit o.
commerce. It possesses the riche.i
soil, the best and most capacious har
bors, most salubrious climate, and ths
most valuable products of the forests
mines, and soil OF any OF the West In
dia islands. It's possession by tn,
United States will, in a few years
build q coastwise commerce Of im
mense magnitude, which will go fa
toward restoring to the United States
our lost merchant marine. 1t vii
give to US those articles which we con
sumo greatly, and do not produce
thus equalizing our exports and i'm
ports. l.. case II foreign war, j
will give us command OF oil the island
referred to, and thus prevents any enc
! my from again possessing himself OF
; rendezvous upon our coast. ..
); There follows a glowing pictnr
r descriptive of the advantages expect
3 ed from the acquisition of that islam,
and an appeal to Congress to take i'm
mediate steps to negotiate its pur
chase.
4. CURRENCY AND BANKS.
After repeating recommended on
previously made for establishing fo
the redemption of National Bank is
sues, the President says: ~
Coupled with this recommendation
take this occasion to say that tn
banking system of the country appear
to be well managed, and to answe
reasonably the purpose for which j
was established. It is no doubt tru
that the Treasury notes, in represent
ling an equal amount of the publ
debt without interest, are the mos
. economical circulation for the Go,
ernment; but it should be consider
ed that the banking institutions of th
country are the agencies by whic
business is established and fostereG
The whole system of banking shoul
be extended only for the purpose I
meeting the demands of business, b,
I. when the demands are urgent, q col
cession should be made, upon tt
ground that prosperity of business
> more important than the mere savin
; of interest arising from the circulatio
of the Treasury notes. sr4at ~
u We give below his words entire VI
on the a gIaa5 es8y.gsJ ...-6
"a REVIVAL OF AMERICAN COMMERCE.
Our depressed commerce is a sui
Iiect to which ] called your special a
Itention at the last session, and SUI
gested that it would, in the futur
have to look more to the countri'
south of us and to China and Japal
d for It's markets. 3l teoq - 2 n
Our representatives to all these Go
lernments have gexerted their infuen,
!, to encourage trade between the Stat
:. and the countries to which they O.