Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-03
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,

Owing to the great length OF the doeu
ment we present our readers with sy'
nopsis of the leading POINTS, For the
past year he says we have been blessed
with peace at home and abroad, and
general prosperity. The Boston fire has
been the only calamity to the country,
and the people, BY energy and perseyer-
anee will show the same prosperity as
if no disaster had befallen them. 9th
erwise we have been free from pesti-
lence war, and such calamitles. Since
the adjournment of Congress in June,
the question which had been raised by
Great Britain has been amicably adj
;asted BIZ the Geneva Conference in a
manner satisfactory to this government
and the Emperor of Germany as arbi'
traitor has decided the San Juan ques.
lion. SO that nothing remains TO disturb
tbe peacelul relations Of the two couh-
tries For the first time in the history
nj tbis country as a nation, we are with
nut n question Of disputed boundary
between our territory and Brat
;sb nossessions on this continent.
The appointment OF commission is
recommended to act jointly with one
from Great Britain to determine the line
between our Territory of Alaska and
the co terminus of British possessions.
We are on most peaceful and cordial
terms with France, Germany, Russia
and Great Britain. Commissioners from
this country attended the last lnterna-
tional Political Congress at 81. Peters
burg which has met in different Euro
mean countries ut intervals of three
wears, and the propr;ety OF inviting the
next Congress 10 meet in the United
States is submitted, and the centennial
celebration in 1876 is suggested as Q
proper occasion. IA appropriation is
recommended 10 encourage American
inventors to attend the International
Exposition at Vienna next year. Itis
to be regretted that many lawless acts
continue 10 disturb the quiet of the set
tIements on our Mexican border, and 1t
is hoped that the preseGt ruler OF Mex
leo recently elected will establish order
and put down the lawlessness ife@
which these wrongs to American citizens
nroeeed. A eofanission appointed by
this Government hsz been investl-
eating the extent Of DAMAGE and the
loss of life arising from these depreda-
tons, and an appropriation is recon-
meuded to enable the commission to
continue its work. The continuance OF
disturbance in the island Of CUBS is an
nounced with regret. The discontented
part of the population and the Govern
ment of Spain stasd in tte same rela-
tons to each other that they have Cor q
long period of nearly four years. Tie
abolition Of slavery and the introduction
OF other reforms c0nld not fail to REM
edy the evils which, being at our door,
cannot escape our attention. The law
of emancipation passed two years ego
remains unexeelted. It's believed that
citizens of this coaatry are large slave"
holders in Cuba. Legislation is recon-
mended on the subject An GTs3lstice
has been proposed between Japan ana
the Republics OF the Pacific, and it is
hoped will be followed 10y permanent
peace between the same paFtdhS,f Our
relations Nth the Republics Of Genital
and South AMerica are most friendly,
bat the attention Of Congress is called
TO the fact that the government
of yeuzuela has not p@la the
awards made by the conves-
zion Of 1866 ia favor Of American
citizens who had beea IN prison in that
couatry. Our treaty relations remain
unchanged with Japan. An aPprSBriR-
lion is recommended for the purpose Of
sustaining atieest four American youths
TO serve as part Of the efieial family Of
the Ministers resident 80 China and ia.
pan, 80 taat in securing our shkss.of the
rich commerce OF those countries VI
may net in future hsye 10 depend on
native interpreters. Se4e provision IL
suggested for the relief % distressed
citizens abroad, other than Ssstsnn.
The net reduction Of the national deb
for the fiscal year was $99,96O,253 81
Further reductions Of taxes canuot be
expected at present The present laws
in regard TO national indebtsiaess
should be. tested before trying other ex.
perimeKts, for nexl to the Importance
of preserving our naiionsliiy is the
duty Of providing fixed paaoas'
eusrency Of unchangiug value. Ths
expenditures Of the War Department
for the year ending June 30, 1872, wer'
S3j ,3T2,i5s 20, being reduction sine
the previous year Of over 100000
The affairs of the FFsedmen's Burea
have all been transferred 70 the Wa
Department, and arrangements made 90
the speedy payment Of bounty pay, etc
due colored soldiers About 1910 90
have been colieetsS from southern raj
roads during the year leaving abou
81 900. 600 still due; $S7e,iAl y ha
been disbarsed to loyal citizens 70
euartermasiers stores tAlSa1 during thl
war. The average strength Of ths arm!
was "a, i6I Wbite, and 249i colored, col