The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
THE PAST YEAR.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1871.

THE PASI 1EAhs
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1871.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.:
In addressing my third annual message
to the law making branch OF the Govern
ment, it is gratifying to be able 30 state
that during the past year success mas gen
erallv attended the efforts to execute all
the laws found upon the statute books
The policy has been not to inquire into
the wisdom of the laws already enacted,
but to learn their special intent, and to
enforce them. Accordingly, the past
wear has under wise Providence, been
one of general prosperity to the nation.
It has, however, been attended with
more than the usual chastisements in loss
of life and property by storm and fire.
These disasters have served to call forth
the best elements of human nature in our
country, and to develop friendship for
us on the part of foreign nations, which
goes far toward alternating the distress
occasioned by the calamities. The be-
nevolent who have so generously shared
their means with the victims of these mis-
fortunes, will reap their reward in the
CONSCIOUSNESS of having performed a
noble act, and in receiving the grateful
thanks of the men, women and children
whose sufferings they have relieved.
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The relations of the states with foreign
powers continue to be friendly. The
wear has been an eventful one in witness.
ing two great nations speaking one Ian
guage and having one lineage settling,
by peaceful arbitration, disputes of long
standing and liable at any time to bring
these nations into bloody and hostile
conflict. An example has thus been set,
which, if successful in its final issue, may
bea followed by other civilized nations
and be the final means of returning to
productive industry millions of men
maintained to settle disputes of nations
bv bavonet and broad sword. | transmit
herewith a copy of the treaty alluded to,
which has been concluded since the ad-
iournment Of Congress with her Britain
mic Majesty, and copy Of the protocols
of the conference of the Commissioners
by whom it was negotiated. This treaty
provides methods for adjusting the ques-
lions pending between the two nations.
Various questions are to be adjusted by
arbitration. recommend to Congress at
an early date to make the necessary provis
ion for the tribunal at Geneva and for the
several commissioners on the part of the
United States, called for by the treaty.
His Majesty the King Of Italy, the Presi
dent of the Swiss Confederation, and his
Majesty the Emperor OF Brazil, have
consented on Joint request of the two
Powers to name an arbitrator for the tri
bunal at Geneva. I have caused my
thanks to be suitably expressed for the
readiness with which the joint request
has been complied with by the appoint.
ment of gentlemen ofe emlnence and
learning to those 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 IN
dertaken to regard, as between them
selves, certain principles of public law
for which the United States have con
tended from the commencement of their
history. They have also agreed to bring
these principles to the knowledge Of
other maritime powers, and to invite
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 powers. recommend the legis.
lation necessary on the part of the Uni
ted States to bring into operation the ar
ticies of the treaty relating to the fish
cries, and to the other matters touching
the relations of the United States toward
the British North American Possessions
to become operative as 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 cooperative before the fisher
men of the United States begin to make
arrangements for the coming season.
/ have addressed a communication, of
which copy is transmitted herewith, to
the Governors of New York, Pennsylva.
MIA, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and
Wisconsin, urging upon the governments
of those States respectively the necessity
of acting on their part to carry into effect
the object of the article of the treaty
which contemplates the use of the canals
on either side connected with the nayioa.
ton of the lakes and rivers forming the
boundary, in terms of equity, by the
inhabitants of both countries, and it is
hoped that the Importance OF the object,
and the benefits to flow therefrom, will
secure the speedy approval and legis-
lative sanction of the states concerned.
I repaw the recommendation for an