Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-12-14

WASHINGTON, D. c., December 4, 1871.
To the Senate and House If Representa-
tatiUeS.
In addressing my third annual mes
sage to the aw-making branch of the
Government. it is gratifying to be able
to state thst during the past year success
has generally attended the effort to exc
cute all laws found upon the statute
books. The policy has been not to in
quire int the wisdom of the laws al
ready enacted, but to learn their spir it
and intent, and TO enforce them accor-
DINGHY,
THE PAST YEAR.
The past year has, under wise Prov
dence been one Of general prosperity to
The Nation. 1t has, however. been at
tended with more than usual chastisement
in the loss of life and property by storm
and fire. These disasters have served to
cali forth the best elements of human
nature in our country, and 10 develope e
friendship for US on the part o. foreign
nations which goes far towards allevia-
ting the distresses caused by these calam-
tiles. The benevolent who have so gen.
erously shared their means with the VIC
tins OF these misfortunes will reap their
reward in the consciousness of having
performed noble act, aud, in receiving
the grateful thanks of men, women and
children, whose suffering they have re-
lieved.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
The relations of the United States with
foreign powers continue to be friendly.
The year has been an evenifu. one, in
witnessing two great nations, speaking
one language and having one lineage,
settling, by peaceful arL itratlon, disputes
of long standing and liable at any time
to bring those 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 re-
turning to productive industry millions
of men now maintained to settle the dis
putes of nations b. the bayonets and the
broadside.
THE 49th PARALLEL.
renew the recommendation for an ap-
preparation for determ ming the true posi-
ton of the 49th parallel of latitude. the
United States and British North Amer
lean where it FERNS the boundary between
possessions, between the Lake of the
Woods snd the summit Of the Rocky
Mouu.ainG The early action of Con-
gress 10 this Recommendation would put
L in the power of the War Department to
place force in the field during the next
summer.
UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.
The Forty-frs Congress, at its third
session, made an appropriation for the
organ ization ola mixed Commission for
adjudicating upon the claims Of citizens
of the United States against Spain, grow
ing out of the instruction in Cuba: That
Commission has since been organized. l
transmit herewith the correspondence re-
lating to its formation and its jurisdiction.
1t is to be hoped that tlls commission
will afford to claimants complete remedy
for their injuries. 1t has been made the
agreeable duty of the United States to
preside over a conference at Washington
between the Plenipotentiaries of Spain
and the allied South American Republics.
| which has resulted in an rmistic, with
the reasonable assurance ola permanent
peace.
FRIENDSHIP WITH RUSSIA.
The freddy relations which have SO
long existed between the United States
and Russia continue und isturbed. The
visit of the third son of the Emperor Is a
proof that there is no desire on the part
of his Government to diminish the cor
diality of those relations. The hospitable
reception which has been given to the
Grand Duke is proof that Oh our side
hive share the wishes OF that Governments.