Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

ernment, it is gratifying to be able to
state that during the past year sue
cess has generally attended the effort
to execute all laws found upon the
statute book. The policy has been
not tcinquire into the wisdom of laws
already enacted, but to learn their
spirit and interest and to enforce them
accordingly. The past year has, un-
der wise Prudence, been one'of gen.
eral prosperity to the nation. 1t has,
however, been attended with more
than usual chastisements in loss of life
and property by storm and fire
These disasters have served to call
forth the best elements of human ma
ture in our country and develop
friendship for US on the part Of for
eign nations which goes far towards
alleviating the distresses occasioned
by these calamities, and the benevo-
lent who have so generously shared
their means with the victims of these
misfortunes will reap their reward in
consciousness of having performed
noble act, and in receiving the CRATE
ful thanks of men, women and chill
dren whose suffering they have be-
lieved.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an event
ful one, in witnessing two great ma
tions, speaking one language, settling
by peaceful arbitration disputes of
long standing and liable at any time
to bring these nations into bloody
and costly conflict. 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 in
dustry. Millions Of men are now
maintained to settle the disputes of
nations by the bayonet and the broad
side. | transmit herewith a copy of
the treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded since adjournment of con-
gress with her Britannia majesty, and
copy of protocols Of the conference
of the commissioners by whom it was
negotiated. This treaty provides
method for adjusting the questions
pending between the two nations and
various questions arc to be adjusted by
arbitration.
| recommend congress at an early
day 70 make the necessary provision
for the tribunal ut 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 con-
federation and His Majesty the En-
peror of Brazil, have consented on the
joint request of the two powers, to
name on arbitrator for the tribunal at
Geneva. l have caused my thanks
to be suitably expressed for the readi-
ness with which the joint request has
been complied with by the appoint
ment of gentlemen of eminence and
learning to these important positions.
His majesty the emperor of Germany
has been pleased to comply with
joint request Of the two governments
and has consented to act arbitrator of
the disputed water boundary between
the United States and Great Britain.
The contracting parties in the treaty
have undertaken to regard as between
themselves certain principles of pub
lie law for which the United States
have contendod from the commence
ment of their history. They have al
so agreed to bring these principles to
the knowledge of other maritime pow
ers, and to invite them to accede to
them. Negotiations are going on as to
the form and mode by which invita-
tions is TO be extended to other pow
ers.
| recommend that the legislation
necessary on the part Of the United
States to bring into operation articles
of treaty relating to the fisheries and
to other matters touching the relations
of the United States toward British
North American provinces to become
operative so soon as proper legislation
shall be had on the part of great
Britain and its possessions. 1t is
much to be desired that this legisla-
ton may become operative before the
fisherman of the United States begin
to make their arrangements for the
coming season. | have addressed
communication, of which copy is
transmitted herewith, to the governors
of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Wis
consin, urging upon the governors OF
these states respectively the necessary
action on their part to carry into ef-
feet the object of the article of the
treaty which contemplates the use OF
canals on either side connected with
navigation of the lakes and rivers,
forming the boundary on terms of
equality by the inhabitants of both
countries 1t is to be hoped that the
Importance of the object and the bene-
fits to flow therefrom, will secure the
speedy approval and legislative sane
ton of the states concerned. renew
the recommendation for an appropria-
ton 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 provinces between
the Lake of the Woods and the sum-
nit of the Rocky mountains: Ihe
early action of congress ON this re-
commondation would put in the
power of the war department to place
a force in the field during next sum-
mer.
The resumption of diplomatic re-
Iations between France and Germany
has enabled me to give directions tor
the withdrawal of protection extend
ed to Germans in France by the diplo-
matte and consular representatives OF
the United States in that country