The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-12-12

EB-lt is no~ generally conceded that
the resemblance between the trst VASE
INGToN and the second WASHINGTON is
not so great but that their mothers could !
know them apart
! PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. |
To the Senate aud House Of Representatives:
RETROSPECT.
In my writing my third anuua! ness
age to the law, making branch of the
Government, it is gratifying to be able
TO state that during the past year suc-
cess has generally sttended the effort to
execute sill laws found upon the statute
books. The policy has been not to it
quire into the wisdom Of the laws al
ready enacted, but TO learn their spirit
and intent and to enforce them accor-
dinghy. The past year has, under wise
Providence, been one of general pros
perity to the nation. II has, however,
been attended with more than usual
chastisements in the ioss Of lie and
property by storm aud fire.. These dis
astels have served to call forth the best
clements Of human nature in our coun-
try, and TO develop friendship for us
on the part of foreign nations, which
goes far towards Sllevistins the disss-
ters occssioned by the cs|amities. The
benevolent who have SO generously
showered their means on the victims Of
these misfortunes, will reap thsir re-
ward in the consciousness Of having
performed q noble act, aud in receiving
the grateful thanks of men. women aud
children whose suferings they hsve re-
liesed.,
4 TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
! 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 nations,
speaking one language and having one
lineage, settling by peaceful arbitration
/ disputes of long standing, and liable at
any time to bring those nations into
bloody and hostile conflict. An exam.
pie has thus been set, which, Is success.
full in its final issue, NAV tbe followed by
other civilized nations aud he the fnsl
means OF returning to productive in
: dnstry millions OF men now maintained
to settle the disputes of nations by bay.
onets and broads~ords.
| transmit herewith q copy Of the
treaty alluded to, which has been con-
cluded since the Adjournment of Con-
e gress, with her Britanic Majesty, and q
copy OF the protocols of the confer.
ences o. the Commissioners by whom
these negotiations were concluded. This
5 treaty provides methods for adjusting
: the questions pending between tine tive
nstions. The various questions are to
be adjusted by arbitration. l recon-
mend Congress 1t an early day to make
: the necessary provisions for the tribu.
nal'a. Geneva, and for the several com
: missions on the part of the United
a States called for by the treaty. HI;
Majesty the King Of Italy, the Presi
dent Of the Swiss Confederation, ant
z His Majesty the Emperor OF Brazil, havs
D each consented 10 the joint request o
the two powers to name an arbitrator
I for the tribunals at Geneva.
n / have caused my thanks to be suit
r ably expressed for the readiness with
which the joint request has been com
piled With by the appointment Of gen
tlemen Of eminence and learning TO thes,
important positions
P His Majesty the Emperor Of Germany
i. has beer pleased to comply with ths
y joint request of the two governments
and hSs consented to act as the arbitrs
tor of the disputed western houndar,
!, between the United States and Grea
n Britain.
It The contracting parties to the treaty
have undertaken TO regard as between
> themselves certain principles of public
: law for which the United States hav,
r contendeG from the commencement o
L their history. They have also sgreeG
: to bring these principles to the knowl
edge oi the other maritime powers, ant
to invite them to accede to them. Ne
{ goliations are going on as to the form
of the note by which the invitation il
to be extended to the powers.
It l recommended the legislation neees
sary on the part Of the United States t,
bring into operation Tue articles Of th
{ treaty in relation to the fisheries and tc
y the other matters touching the relations
: of the United States towards the British
s North American possessions, to become
operative as soon as the proper legi.ls
ton shall be had on the part Of Gres
; Britain and its possessions. 1t is mucl
i TO be desired that this legislation ma,
become cooperative before The fisher
4 mea Of the Uritcd States begin to max
their arrangements for the coming sea
son.
, I have addressed q communication, o
q which copy is transmitted herewith
to tie Governors Of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana. Michigan, Hi
nois and Wisconsin, urging upon tin
J. governments Of those States, respect
lively, the necessary sction on their par
g to carry into effect the object OF the ar
J. ticles Of the treaty, which contemplate
n the use Of the canals on either side con
D. nected with the navigation Of the lake
r. and rivers forming the boundary, OF
terms OF equity by the inhabitants o
both countries. 1t is hoped that th
Importance Of The Object and the bene
f. fits to flow therefrom will secure th
At speedy approval and legislation Of th
ii States concerned.
| renew the recommendation for al
i. appropriation for determining the tru
position of the forty ninth parallel o
: latitude, where it forms the boundar,
81 between the United States and the Brit
ish North American POSSESSIONS between
b the Lake OF the Woods snd the SUNNI
e of the Rocky Mountains The earl,
action of Congress in this recommen
e dation would put it in the power of tn
. Wsr Department to place force in tn
+ field during the next summer.
FRANCE AND GERMANY.