Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TO the Senate and House of Representa-

to the law-maklng branch ol the govern
ment, it is gratifying TO be able To state
that during the past year success has
generally attended the effort to execute
all laws found upon tho 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
! Que of general prosperity To the nation.
Ii has, however, been attended with
mors than usual chaStiSements in the loss
of lite and property. bat storm and lire,
three disasters. have served tu call forth
the best elements of human nature in
our countrl and to dcvclope friendship
Tor us on the part OF foreign nations
which goes far towards allevialing the
distresscs occaSioned by the elements
The benevolent who have SO generously
shared their means with the victims of
these mislortunes, will have their reward
in the consciousness OF having perform
ed "a noble act and in receiving the CRATE
iul thanks OF men, women and children
whose suterings they have relieved.
FoRgIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue 10 be friendly.
THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The year has been an eventtul one in
witnessing two great nations, speaking
one language and having one lincagc,
,tu mg 10y peaceful arbitration disputes
at ihnE standing. liable Al ahl INN" To
NV tltu-- nations Iuto Divri lnd hn>.
t,,,. ,,HiI.ri. Au cNanp.v "a, ,ha> been
- "a A.vh. 81 successful "a is ndU Issue.
u.,l .r fu,i.Ncd 10y uthcr G. lliHcd na-
.i.G> ,ud ., ,hv means !I.a,n at return
,ue - Pup,iuCu Industry. imii.'"n> ~
u..u nu~ maintained la ,Vtli, thc dIs
r"tr> ui nations by the balOuet aud the
hrua,I, ord transmit here vita u copy
ut the treaty alluded To which has been
concluded since the Adjournment uI
Congress with Her Briltanc Majesty aud
Il copy OF the protocols OF the conferences
of the commissioners 10y whom II was
negotiated.
The treaty provides methods ior ad
iusIing the questions pending between
the two nations, the various questions TO
bc adjusted by arbitration. | recommend
Congress, al an early day. To make the
necessary provision Tor the tribunal ut
Geneva aud for the several commissions
ON the part OF the UGiied States called
Tor bv the treaty. His Majesty. the King
Of Italy, the President oi the Swiss Con.
federation aud His Majesty, the Emperor
OF Brazil have consented. on tho joint re
quest u( the two powers. To name an M.
hitrator for the tribunal ~ Geneva
have caused my thanks to be suitably eN-
pressed tor the readiness with which the
Joint request has been complied with by
the appointment OF gentlemen ot emi.
neuce and learning 10 these important
positions.
His Majesty. the Emperor OF Germany.
has been pleased to comply with the
Joint commission of the two governments,
and has consented to act rs the arblter OF
the disputed water boundary between the
United States and Great Britain. The
contracting parties III The treaty have
undertaken To regard, as between them
selves, certain principles OF public Law
Tor which they have contended from the
commencement OF the history They
have also agreed 10 bring these principles
10 the knowledge OF the other maritime
powers aud To invite them To accede 10
them. Negotiations are going on Is 10
the form ol the note hy which the invi
talion is 10 be extended 10 the other pow
els.
recommend the legislation necessary
on the part ol the United States TO bring
into operation ihc articles of .hc treaty
relating to the fishing. and others mat
ters touching the relations OF the United
States toward the British North American
possessions. to become operative as soon
as the proper legislation should be had
on The part of Great Britain and It's pos
sessions IL is much To be desired that
this Legislation may hccome cooperative
before the fishermen of the L. >. begin
10 make their arrangements iol the COM
ing season. | have addressed q communi-
here with, to the Governors OF New
York. Pennsy lvania. Ohio. Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin urging
upon the governments OF those States
respectively, the necessary action on
their part 10 carry into effect the object
of the article OF the treaty which contem.
plates The use of the Canals in either side
connected with the navigation of the lakes
and rivers forming the boundary, on
terms OF equity by The Inhabitants OF
both countries. 1t is hoped that the I'M
portance of the object and the benefits
TO flow therefrom will secure the speedy
approval and legislative sanction ot the
States concerned.
renew tho recommendation for an
appropriation for determining the true
position of the forty ninth PARALLEL oi
| Latitude where it forms the boundary
between the United States and the British
North American possession between the
| Lake of the Woods and the summit of
the Rocky Mountains. The early action
of Congress on this recommendation
named would put it in the power of the
War Department to place a force in the
field during the next Summer.
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY AND FRANCE.
The resumption Of diplomatic relations
between France and Germany have en-
abled me TO give directions for the with.
drawal Of The protection extended TO
! Germans in France by the diplomatic
and consular representatives oil the Uu-
tied States in that country. II is just to
add that the delicate duty OF this protec-
ton has been performed 10y the minister
and tho consular government at Paris
and the various consuls in France under
the supervision of the latter with great
kindness as we'll as with prudence and
tact. This cause has received the COM
mendation OF the German government
and has wounded no susceptibility OF the
French. The government OF the En-
peror of Germany continues to manifest
"A friendly feeling towards the United
States aud desire TO harmonize with
the moderate and just policy which the
! government maintains in its relations
With Aslatlc powers us well as with the
! Souih American rannbIics | have uiyen