The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

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 one of general prospcri-
ty to the nation. 1t has, however, been attend
ed with more than usual Chastisemcnt 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 coun-
try and to develOpe friendship for Us on the
part of foreign nations, which goes far towards
allevatng the distreSses occasioned by the Gle
ments The benevolent who have so generous
| " shared their means with the victims of these
misfortunes will have their reward in the con-
| seriousness of having performed Il noble act,
| and in receiving the grateful thanks Of men,
women and children whose sutlerings they have
| relieved.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONSHIPS TREATY OF
| WASHINGTON.
The relations of the United States with foreign
| powers continue to be friendly. The year has
| been an eventful one in Witnessing two great
nations, speaking one language and having one
lineage, settling By peaceful arbitration disputes
| of long standing, liable at any time to bring
those nations into bloody and hostile conflict.
An example has thus been set, which, if sue
| ceSSlul III its final issue, may be followed hy
other civilized nations and he the means finally
| of returning 70 productive industry millions Of
men now maintained to settle the disputes of
nations by the bayonet and the broad-sword
| | transmit herewith copy of the treaty ahld-
( ed tC, which has been concluded since the adj
| joUrnment of Congress, with Her Britannia
| Majesty and a copy of the protocols of the con
! ferences Of the commissioners by whom it was
negotiated. The Treaty provides methods for
| adjusting the questions pending between the
| two nations. The various questions are to he
adjusted by arbitration. | recommend Con-
gress at an early day to make the Necessary
provisions for the Tribunal At Geneva, and for
| the several commissions the part of the Unit
ed States called for by the Treaty. His Maies-
| ty the King OF Italy. the President of the Swiss
| Confederation, and His Majesty the Emperor of
| Brazil, have consented, on the Joint request of
| the two powers, to name an 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 emiuence
and learning to these important positions. His
| Majesty the Emperor of Germany has been
pleased to comply with the request of the Joint
| commission of the two governments and has
consented to act as the arbitrator of the disput-
ed 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 public law for which they
have contended from the commencement of
their history. They have also agreed to bring
| these principles to the knowledge Of the other
maratme 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 10
be extended to the other powers.
TIE FISHERIES.
r recommend tbe LEGISLATION un.ass.r,, o,, 49,,
mart of the United States to bring into operation
the articles OF the Treaty relating to the Fish
cries, and 70 other matters touching the rela-
tons oil the uhlteu states toward the British
North American POSSESSIONS, 10 become opera
! tive as soon As inc proper leSlsIauo4 should be
had on me part o. NfeaI brllain ami lts posses
sons. IL IS much 10 oe desired th1t THIS egiS-
iatlon may become cooperative before the FISH
| ermen OF the United states begin 10 make their
| arrangements tor the coming season.
THE CANALS AND NORTHERN BoT,ND,RY
| ,.,,,o ,,l,oosod - commandments,
,', tr.nsmittad barnty;ti ', ~, a. VI " mn
~ Nn, ynri1 p,n.Ii,,; t. 'l'I I !'oNsr-
i Nm " Micbison Inns amI WIN 't,,.H, ",O, IN
u,i',' ~ ,trrannnnntg ~ thnso IL IT.
t;,,oiv tha nacassnrv oction ON t,,oi, @
carry into effect the objects Of the article a. thp
! treaty when cohtemplates ne use ot the canals
on either SIDE, connected with the navigation of
the lakes ana rivers forming me boundary, ON
! terms OF equity, by the inhabitants of Both
countries. II Is hoped mat the Importance Of
the object ana the dement's to now thereirom,
| VIII secure inc speedy approval ana legislative
| sanction OF the states concerned. renew the
| recommendation Tor an appropriation for deter
lt.rIt,