Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Tothe Senate and House of Representative

tSSsoS'S'~'SSN NAS''SNo '~0N,-
In addressing my third annual message to
the law-making branch Of the government,
it is gratifying to be able to state that dur
ing the past year success has generally at
tended the effort to execute all laws found
upon the 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 Provl-
dence. been one of general prosperity to the
nation. 1t has, however, been attended
with more than usual Establishments 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 develop friendship for US on
the part Of foreign nations, which goes far
towards alternating the distress occasioned
by these calamities. The benevolent who
have so generously shared their means with
the victims of these misfortunes will reap
their reward in the consciousness of having
performed noble act and in receiving the
gateful thanks of men, women and children
whose suferipgs they have relieved.
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, and
liable at any time to bring those nations in-
to bloody and costly conflict, An example
has thus been set, which if successful in It's
final issue, may be followed by other cilTi-
lized nations, and finally be the means Of re-
turning to productive industry millions Of
men now maintained to settle the dipus OF
nations by the bayonet and the broad s;de.
I transmit herewith copy Of the treaty al
luded to, which has been concluded since the
adjournment of Congress, with Der Britain
mic majesty, and copy of the protocols of
the conference after the conferences Of tho
commissioners by whom it was negotiated.
This treaty provides methods for adjusting
the questions pending between the two ua-
tons. Various questions are to be adju t.
ed by arbitration. recommend Congress
at an early day to make the necessary pro-
visions for the tribunal at 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 Presi-
dent of the Swiss Confederation, and his Ma
iesty, the Emperor of Brazil have each con-
sented, on the joint request of the two pow
ers. 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
eminence and bearing to these important
positions. His majesty, the Emperor of Ger
many. has been pleased to comply with the
Joint request of the two Governments, and
has consented to act as the arbitrator Of the
disputed water boundary between the United
States and Great Britain. The contracting
parties in the treaty have undertaken to re-
gard as between themselves, certain princi-
pies of public law, for which the United
States have contended from the commeuce-
ment Of their history. They have also
agreed to bring these principles to the kno vi
edge of the other maritime powers, and to
invite them to accede to them. Negotiations
are going Ga as to the form Of the note by
which the invitation is TO be extended to
the other powers. ] recommend the iegis-
lation necessary on the part Of the United
States to bring into operation the articles OF
the treaty relating to the fisheries and to
the other matters touching the relations OF
the United States towards the British North
American possessions to become operative
SO soon as the proper legislation shall be
had on the part of Great Britain and its pos
sessions. It is much to be desired that this
legislation may become operative before the
fishermen of the United States begin to make
their arrangements for the coming season
[ have addressed a communication OF
which a copy is transmitted herewith, 10
the Governors Of New York. Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan. Illinois and Wis
cousin. urging upon the governments of
those States. respectively, the necessary ac-
ton on their part to carry into the effect
the object of the article of the treaty which
contempiates the use Of the canals on either
side connected with the navigation Of the
lakes and rivers forming the boundary on
terms of equality by the inhabitants of both
countries 1t is hoped that the objects and
the benefits to flow tberefrom will secure
the speedy approval and legislative eanation
OF the StdGeS concerned.
renew the'recommendation for an appro-
priation 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 pos
sessions, between the Lake Of the Woods
and the summit of the Rocky Mountains
The early action of Congress on this recon-
mendatiop would put it in the power Of the
War Department to place force in the
field during the next Summer.
The resumption of diplomatic relations be-
tween Franch and Germany have enabled
me to give directions for the withdrawal Of
the protection extended to Germans by repre-
sentatives of the United States in that coun-
try. It is just to add that the delicate duty
of this protection has been performed by the
Minister and Consul General at Paris and
the various consuls in France under the su
pervision Of the latter, with great kiodpess
| as we'll as with prudence and tact. Their
course has received the commentator Of
the German Government and has wounded
no susceptibility Of the French. The Gov
eminent Of the Emperor of Germany CON-
tinues to manifest friendly feeling towards
the United States and desire to harmonize
with the moderate and just policy which this
Government maintains ia its relations With
Asiatic powers as well as with the South
American Republics. I have given aseu-
| RANGES that the friendly feelings Of that
Government are fully shared by the United
| States. The ratification of the consular and
naturalization conventions with the Austro-
Hungarian Empire have been exchanged. I
have been officially informed of the annexa-
ton Of the States of the Church to the King