The Donaldsonville chief., 1872-12-28
Synopsis of the Presidents
MESSAGE.

In transmitting this to you, my
fourth annual message, it is Will
thankfulness to the Giver Of all GOOD
that, as a nation, we have been blesl
for the past year with peace at home
peace abroad, and a general prosper.
! ity vouchsafed to but few people
With the exception of the recent de-
vastating fire which swept from the
earth with breath, as it were, mil
lions of accumulated wealth in the
city of Boston, there has been nc
overshadowing calamity within the
year to record. It is gratifying to
note how, like their fellow citizens OF
Chicago under similar circumstances
a year earlier, the citizens of Boston
are rallying under their misfortunes,
and the prospect is that their energy
and perseverance will overcome all
obstacles and show the same prosper
ity soon they would show had the
disaster not befallen them. Otherwise
we have been free from pestilence,
war and the calamities which often
overtake nations, and as far as human
judgment can penetrate the future,
no cause seems to exist to threaten
cur future prosperity.
| THE ALABAMA CLAIMS AND SAN JUAN
QUESTION.
When Congress adjourned in June
last question had been raised by
Great Britain, and was then pending,
which for a time imperilled settle
ment by friendly arbitration, Of great
differences between this government
and Great Britain. The Geneva Con-
ference, however, disposed of the sub
ject in manner entirely satisfactory
to this government, and according to
views it had maintained. The Gen
eva Conference award, in connection
with the award Of the German En-
peror on the San Juan question, will
leave the two governments without
shadow upon the friendly relations
which it is my sincere hope may ever
remain equally unclouded.
The Emperor of Germany has de-
cided the question referred to him of
the San Juan boundary Interpretation
Of the treaty of 1916, and has the ear
nest thanks of our government and
people. Mr.. Bancroft is highly COM
plimented for his management..of this
case. This leaves us for the first
time in our history without q question
Of disputed boundary between our
possessions aud those of Great Bri-
tain. Great Britain has promptly
complied with the award, and ordered
the removal Of. her troops and cessa-
ton Of all Jurisdiction. The joint oc-
Icnpati0n Of San Juan has already
ceased. Allusion is made to the es-
tablisllment by natural objects and
other monuments, Of an actual line
between our territory and that ac-
Quired from Russia and the British
possessions.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
With France, our earliest ally, Rus
sia, our constant and steady friend,
Germany, with whose government
and people We have SO many common
sympathies, and other powers of Eu-
rope, our relations are maintained on
the most friendly terms. The Inter-
national Statistical Congress which
met this gear at St. Petersburgh,
meets every three years. l submit
that it he invited to its next meeting
in the United States. The Centennial
celebration of 1876 would afford ap-
propriate occasion for such meeting.
The Vienna exposition is warmly
referred to, and an appropriation
asked for to enable Americans to ex-
hibit there. The death of President
Juarez is spoken of. Nothing should
be left nndOne to maintain our friend
ly relations with Mexico. |
The President regrets the continued
condition of Cuba. No ad-
vance toward pacifcation has been
made, while the insurrection has made
no progress. Parties stand apparent
ly in the same relation as for a long |
period past. can not doubt that the |
Of slavery in Cuba is the |
strongest inducement to the contin-
uance Of this strife. A terrible wrong
is the natural cause of terrible evil,
and it is greatly to be hoped that the
liberal government Of Spain will adopt |
this view.
DISTRESSED CITIZENS ABROAD. |
Attention is called to the want of |
provision for the relief of distressed |
citizens abroad other than seamen. It |
is customary for other governments !
to authorize their consuls to extend |
such relief, and an appropriation is |
recommended to carry out this sug-
gestion. There are citizens who by
accident or otherwise become penni- |
less abroad and have no friends. |
Should appropriation be granted, care
will be taken that it is worthily dis
tributed. The message then proceeds
to give summary Of the fiscal condi- |
ton Of the government, showing a net |
reduction Of the debt for the fiscal
year of $99, 800, ,253 54.
OUR COMMERCE. |
The message earnestly recommends
nHs.v.< ~.