The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-12-16
ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF THE
President Of the United States.

To the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives
In addressing my third annual
message to the law-making branch
of the Government, it is gratifying
to be able to state that during the
past year success has generally at
tended the effort to execute all 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 spirit and
intent, and to enforce them accord
ingly. The past year has, under a
wise Providence, been one OF gen
eral prosperity to the nation.
LOSS OF LIFE BY STORM AND FIRE.
1t has, however, been attended
with more than usual chastisements
in the 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 a friendship for us OH
the part of foreign nations, which
goes far towards alleviating the
distresses occasioned by these GALA
mites. The benevolent who have so
generously shared their means with
the victims of these misfortunes, will
reap their reward in the conscious
ness Of having performed a noble
act, and in proving the grateful
thanks of men, women and children,
whose sufferin g they have relieved.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. -st.-.
The year has been an eventful one
in witnessing two great nations
speaking one language, and having
one lineage, settling by peaceful ar
bitration disputes of long standing,
and liable at any time to bring those
nations into bloody and costly
conflict. An example has been set
which, if successful in 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.
TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
I transmit herewith a capy of the
treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded since the adjournment of
Congress, with her Britanic Majesty,
and a copy of the protocols of the
conferences of the commissioners by
whom it was negotiated. This treaty
provides methods for adjusting the
ques ions pending between the two
najions. Various questions are to
be adjusted by arbitration.
I 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 con-
sented, on the joint request of the
two powers, to name an arbitrator
for the tribunal at Geneva. / have
caused my thanks to be suitably ex-
pressed for the readiness with which
the joint request has been complied
with by the appointment of gentle
men of eminence and learning to
these important positions.
His Majesty the Emperor of Ger
many 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 con-
tracing parties in the treaty have
undertaken to regard as between
themselves certain principles of pub.
lie law for which the United States
have contended from the commence
ment of their history. They have
also agreed to bring these principles
to the knowledge Of the old maritime
powers, and to invite them to aeeede
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.
THE FISHERIES.
I recommend the legislation neees-
sary on the part Of the United States
to bring into operation the articles
of the treaty relating to the fish
cries and to the other matters touch
ing the relations of the United States
toward the British North American
possessions to become operative SO
soon as the proper legislation shall
be had on the part of Great Britain
and it's possessions. 1t is much to
be desired that this legislation may
become operative before the fisher
men of the United States begin to
make their arrangements for the
coming season.
| M INLAND NAVIGATION.
7 have addressed a communica-
ton, of which a copy is to be trans
mitted to. the Governors of New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin,
urging upon the governments of
those States respectively the neces.
sary action on their part to carry into
effect the object of the article of the