Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

ln addressing my tnlTu duuudi uleSSdSe W TIC
law-making branch of the government, 1t IS
gratifying to be able to state that during the
past wear su cess has generally attended the et-
fort to execute all laws found upon the statute
books-the policy has been not to enquire into
the wisdom of the laws already enacted, but to
learn their spirit and intent, and to enforce
them accordingly
The past year has, under wise Providence,
been one of general prosperity to the nation.
Tt has, however, been attended with more than
usual chastisements in the loss of life and pro-
perty by storm and fire These disasters have
served to call forth the best elements OF human
nature in our country, and to develop TREND
ship for us on the part of foreign nations which
goes far towards alleviating the distress occa-
stoned by these calamities The benevolent,
who have so generously shared their means
with the victims of these misfortunes, will reap
their reward in the consciousness of having per-
formed noble act, and In receiving the CRATE
full thanks of men, women and children, whose
sufferings they have relieved.
The relations of the United States with for
eign powers continue to be friendly. The year
has been an eventful one in witnessing two great
nations, speaking one language and having one
lineage, settling by peaceful arbitration disputes
of long standing, and liable at any time to
bring those nations into bloody and costly con-
fict An example has thus been set which, if
successful in its final issue, may be followed by
other civilized nations, and finally be the means
of returning to productive industry, millions of
men now maintained to settle the disputes of
nations by the bayonet and the broadside.
transmit herewith a copy of the treaty allu-
ded to, which has been concluded, since the ad-
iournment of Congress. with her Britannia
Majesty, and copy of the protocols of the
conferences of the commissioners by whom 1t
was negotiated This treaty provides methods
for adjusting the questions pending between the
two nations Various questions are to be ad-
justed by arbitration. L recommend Congress
at an early day to make the necessary provision
for the tribunal at Geneva and for the several
commissions on the part Of the United States
called for by the treaty. His Majesty the King
of Italy. the President of the Swss Confedera-
ton, and his Majesty the Emperor of Brazil
have each consented, on the joint request of
the two powers, to name an arbitrator for the
tribunal at Geneva. | have caused my thanks
to be suitably expressed for the readiness with
which the joint request has been complied WITH
by the appointment OF gentlemen OF emlnence
and learning to these important positions. His
Majesty, the Emperor Of Germany, has been
pleased to comply with the joint request OF the
two governments, and has consented to act as
the arbitrator of the disputed water boundary
between the United States and Great Britain
The contracting parties IN the treaty have un-
dertaken to regard as between themselves GER
tain principles of public law for which the
United States have contended from the COM
mencement Of their history. They have also
agreed to bring these principles tc the knowl-
edge of the other maritime powers, and to in
vite them to accede to them. Negotiations are
going on as to the form Of the note by which
the invitation is to be extended to the other
Powers. | recommend the legislation necessa-
ry on the part of the United States to bring ia
10 operation the articles of the treaty relating
to the fisheries and to other matters touching
the relations of the United States towards the
British North American possessions, to become
operative SO soon as the proper legislation shall
be had on the part of Great Britain and its
possessions. 1t is much to be desired that this
legislation may become operative before the
fishermen Of the United States begin to make
their arrangements for the coming season.
have addressed communication, of which a
COPY is transmitted herewith, to the Governors
OF New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio Indiana,
| Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, urging upon
the governments OF those States, respectively,
| the necessary action on their part to carry into
effect the object of the article of the treaty
which contempates the use of the canals on
either side connected with the navigation of the
/
of equality by the inhabitants of both coun-
| tries. 1t is hoped that the importance of the
object and the benefits to flow therefrom will
secure the speedy approval and legislative sane
ton of the States concerned.
| | renew the recommendation for an appropri-
alton for determining the true position of the
| forty ninth parallel of latitude where it forms
the boundary between the United States and
the British North American possessions be-
tween the lake of the Woods and the summit
of the Rocky Mountains The early action oi
Congress ON this recommendation would put il
in the power of the war department to place
force In the field during the next summer
The resum ption of diplomatic relations between
France and Germany have enabled me to give
directions Tor the withdrawal Of the protection
extended to Germans in France by the diplo
matte and consular representations of the Uni
ted States In that country. 1t is just to ado
that the delicate duty of this projection ha.
been performed by the minister and the con
sul-generai at Paris, and the various consuis ii
France under the supervision OF the latter
with great kindness, as we'll as with prudeuce
and tact Their course has received the com
| mendatlon of the German government, and ha
wounded no susceptibility Of the French. Th,
government OF the Emperor of Germany con
tinues to manifest friendly feeling toward
the United States, and a desire to harmonlz
with the moderate and just policy which thi
government maintains In Its relations witt
Aslatic Powers, as well as with the Soutl
American republics l have given assurance