The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-12-15
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT

TO Tie Senate and House of Representa-
tires:
In addressing my third annual mes
sage to the law-making branch of the
Government it is gratifying to be able
to state that dnring the past year sue
cess has generally attended the effort to
execute all laws found upon the statute
books.
The policy has been not to inquire
into the wisdom of laws already enact
ed. but to learn their spirit and intent,
| and to enforce them accordingly.
The past year has, under n wise Prov
| idence, been one of general prosperity
to tho nation. 1t has, however, been
attended with more than usual chasti5e-
mcnts in the loss of life and properly
by steam and fire. These disasters have
served to call forth the best elements Uf
human nature in our country and to
develop a friendship for us on the part
of foreign nations which goes far to-
wards alleviating the distresses uCcn-
stoned by these calanities,
The benevolent who have so gener-
| Ously shared their means with the vic
| Tins of these misfOrtunes will reap their
| reward in the consciousness of having
performed a noble act, and in receiving
| the grateful thanks of men, women,
and children whose sutlering5 they
| have relieved.
| The relations of the United States
with foreign Powers continue to be
| friendly. The year has been an event.
| full 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 conflict. An exam
pie has thus been set which, If success.
ful in its final issue, may be followed
by other civilized nations, and finally
be the means of returning to produc-
tive industry millions Of men now
maintained to settle the disputes of ma
tions by the bayOnet and the broadside.
/ transmit herewith Il copy of the
treaty alluded to, which has been con-
cludtd since the adjournment Cf Con
gress with her Blitanic MI tjesty, and a
copy of the protocols Of the conference
of the Commissioners by whom il was
negotiated. This treaty provides meth
ods for djustiDg the questions pending
between The two nations.
Various questions are to be adjusted
by arbitration. | 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 Swiss Confederation,
and his Majesty the Emperor of Brazil,
have each consented, on tie Joint re-
quest of the two Powers, to name an
al 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 eminence and learning to these inn
portant positions.
3 His Majesty the Emperor Of Ger
, many has been pleased TO comply witt
: the Joint request of the two Govern
| ments, and has consented TO act rs the
/ arbitrator of the disputed water boun
> Diary between the United States GnC
|. Great Britain.
g The contracting parties in the treaty
have undertaken TO regard, as between
themselves certain principles of public
. law, for which the United States have
: contended from the commencement o
: their history. They have also agreed
! to bring those principles to the knowl
edge of the other maritime Powers, ant
to invite them to accede to them. Ne
gotiatiOns are going on rs TO the form
OF the note by Whlch the Invitation IL
to be extended to the other Powers.
| | recommend the legislation neccS
sary on the part of the United States t.
/ bring into operation the articles of tn
n Treaty relating to the fisheries, and t
the other matters touching the relation
Of the United States towards the Brit
ish North American Posse sions, to be
come operative as soon as the propc
legislation shall be had on the part G
y Great Britain and its possessions.
!, 1t is much to he desired that this leg
,; islati0n may become operative befor
g the fishermen of the United States be
It gin to make their arrangements for tn
coming season.
| have addros sCd n communication, G
which copy is Transmitted herewith
to the Governors of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, III
nois, and Wisconsin, urging upon tn
governments of those States respective
ly, the necessary action on their part {
carry into effect the object Of the articl
of the treaty which contelnplates IN
use o! the canals on either side, connec
ed with the navigation of tho lakes an
rivers forming the boundary, on term