Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-12

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the requisite two :hirds vote of the Sen
ate. and was rejected; but whether this
action Of that body was based on the
merits of that treaty. or might have been
influenced somewhat by such unfounded
allegations, could not be known by the
people, because the debates held in secret
session are not published. Under these
circumstances deemed it due TO the of
flee when | hold, and due to the charac-
ter of the agents who had been charged
with the investigation, that such proceed
ings should be had as would enable the
people to know the truth. a comnis-
sion was therefore constituted under the
authority of Congress, consisting of gen
tlemen selected in special reference TO
their high character and capacity for the
laborious work entrusted to them, who
were instructed to visit the spot and re-
port upon the facts. Other eminent cili-
gems were requested to accompany the
commission, in order that the people
might have the benefit of their visws.-
Students of science and correspondents
of the press, without regard to political
opinions, were invited to join the expe
dition, and their numbers were only linn
tied by the capacity of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of
treaty negotiated by the President only
indicates difference of opinion with the
government; not controversy affecting
character or wounding private feelings.
But when such rejection occurs simultan-
eously with charges openly made of cor
ruptiou on the part of the President, or
those employed by him. the case is differ
ent. Indeed, in such case the honor
of the nation demands an investigation.
This has been accomplished by tue report
of the commissioners herewith submitted,
which fully vindicates the purity of the
motives aud intentions of those who rep
resented the United States in the negotia-
ton; and now my task is finished, and
with it ends all personal solicitude upon
the subject. My duty being done. yours
begins; and | gladly hand over the whole
matter to the judgment of the American
people and their representatives in Con-
gress assembled. TIE facts will now be
spread before the country, and decision
rendered by that tribunal whose convic-
tons so seldom err, and against whose
will have no policy TO enforce. My
opinion is unchanged; indeed, it is con-
firmed by the report that the interests of
our country and San Domingo alike To-
vite the annexation of that republic. In
view of tho difference of opinion upon
this subj oct. | suggest that no action be
taken the spresent session beyond the
printing and general dissemination of the
report. Before the next session of Con
grcss the people will have considered the
subject and formed an intelligent opinion
concerning it, to which opinion, deliber-
ately made up, it viii be the duty of
every department Of the government to
give heed, and no one will more cheer
fully conform to it than myself 1t is
not only the theory of our constitution
that the will of the people, constitution
ally expressed. is the Supreme law; but
| have ever believed that all men are
wiser than any one man; and if the PEG
pie, upon full representation of the
facts, shall decide that annexation is not
desirable, every department of the gov.
eminent ought to acquiesce in that de-
cision.
In again submitting TO Congress
subject upon which public sentiment is
divided, and which has been made the
OCCASION of acrimonious debates in Con-
gress, as well as unjust expressions else
where, l may, trust, be INDUCED in
single remark. No man can hope to
perform duties so delicate and responsible
as those which pertain to the Presidential
office without sometimes iucHring the
hostility of those who deem their opin-
ions and wishes treated with insufficient
consideration; and he who undertakes
to conduct the affairs of great govern.
ment, as faithful public servant, if sus
tanned by the approval of bis own con
science, may rely with condolences upon
the candor and intelligence of free PEG
pie, whose best interests he has striven to
subserve, and can bear with patience tho
censure of disappointed men.
u. >. GRAN L.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 5, 1871.
Beecher's Idea sf God and Man.
Now, there is nothing for God TO find
out about us. He knows all about you.
When He took you, He took you know
ing the uttermost. Aud you never will
disappoint Him by being worse than He
thought you would be. You never will
sin where He did not expect you to sin.
Your guilt never will be greater than He
made up his mind to bear with and par
don when He took you. He took you
as mother takes her child. She thanks
God for it, though she knows it will be
vain, and proud, and selfish, and that it
will have all the evils Of temper that be
long TO the race from which it comes
1t is hers, and in spite of its faults she
loves it with unspeakable love. And
God clasps every soul that be once takes,
and takes it for good or for bad. The
wedding between the soul and God is |
one that knows no divorce, either here or
hereafter. !
A young man, whose moustache is
visible by the aid of microscope, was
the victim of misplaced confidence short
time ago. He had been particularly