Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and
House Of Representatives.:

In addressing my third annual mes
sage to the lawlnaking branch of the
government, it is gratifying to be able
to state that, during the past year,
success has generally attended the
effort to execute all the laws found
nl"n the statute books. The policy
has bccn not to inquire into the wisdom
# laws already enacted, but to learn
their special interest, and to enforce
them accordingly.
The past year has, under a wise
Providence. been one of general pros
perity to the nation. 1t has, however.
been attended with more than usual
cnastise,nents in loss of life and pro =
pcrty 10y storm and fire. These dis
asters have served to call forth the
best elements Of human nature in our
country. aud to develop a friendship
for Us, ON the part of reign nations,
which goes fax toward allcviating the
distress occa,ioncd hv the calami,ies.
The benevolent, who have so yener-
ollslv shared their means with the
victims of these n,istortuncs, will reap
their reward in the consciousness of
having performed IA noble act, and in
receiving the grateful thanks of men,
women and children whose sutfcrings
they have relieved.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue to be
friendly. The year has been an
eventtul one, in witnessing two great
nations, speaking one language and
having one lineage, settling, bv peace
tul arbitration, disputes of long stand
ing, aud liable at any time to bring
these nations into hostile conflict. An
example has thus been set which, il
successful in its final issue, may be
followed by other civilized nations,
and be the final means of rcturningto
productive industry millions of men
maintained to settle the disputes of
nations by the bayonct and broad
sword. | transmit herewith copy of
the treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded, since the adjournment of
Congress, with Her Britannia Majesty,
and copy of the protocols of the
conferences of the Commissioners by
whom it was negotiated. This treaty
provides methods for adjusting the
questions pending between the two
nations. The various questions are
to be adjusted by arbitration. l
recommend Congress, at an early
day, to make the necessary pro-
visions for the Tribunal of Geneva
and for the several Commissioners on
the part of the United States called
tor ny the treaty. His Majesty the
King OF Italy, the President Of the
Swiss Confederation, and his Majesty
the Emperor Of Brazil, have each
consented, on the joint request of the
two Powers, to name an arbitrator
for the Tribunal at Geneva. | have
caused my thanks to pc suitably ex-
pressed for the readiness with which
the joint request has been complied
with, by the appointment of gentle
men of eminence and learning to the
nigh positions.
His Majesty, the Emperor of Ger
many, has been pleased to comply
with the joint wish of the two Gov
ernments, 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 regard. as between themselves.
certain principles of public law, for
which the United States have CON
tended from tho commencement of