The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-12-12

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To the Sspate and House of Represen ntatives:
In tranemitting to you my fourth annual
message ii IL with thankfUineSs TO the Giyer
Of ali good that as a nation we have been bless
ed for the last year with peace al home aud
rosd,yzaHd a general prosperity vouchsafed
10 bEt few people With the exception of the
recent devastating FIRE which swept from earth
with a breath, as IL were, millions of eecnmn-
lated wealth Ia the city Of Boaieu,e there hare
been no oogesshadowiIgS eaiamiIies within the
year to record. It i gra:ifying to note how
ike their follow citizens OF The city of Chiea-
90 nfsder similar circumstances, yesr earlier,
the citizens of Boston are rallying under tlcir
iInisfoFtunes, ard the prospect - iistihsilE en-
ergy and perseverance, viii overcome all OBJ
ssac,es, and show The same pros sperity soon
that they wouid have had, had no disaster be-
faiIen sthem. q Otherwise we haye been free
fronrpestiieucs, war and calam.tiess which Of
ten orertaks. nations, and, sas fqr as human
seems TO exist to thresien eur present pcscc.
f,, rHE GEsEvA AHBITEArIoN.
When Congress adjourned in June last, .
question: bad been raised shy Grrat Britain, and
was then pending, which for 6 time seriously
imperiled the settlement by friendly arbitra-
tion of the differences existisg between this
Governmeut and that of Her Britannia Aajcs-
ty, and by the Treaty. of Washington had been
.refsrred TO the Tribunal OF Arbitration, which
had met at Geneva, in Switzerland The ar-
which had 5jeopardized the whole of the treaty, !,
and threatened TO involve the two Ilations IN
the most unhappy relations toWa.ds each 9TH
er, in manner entirely satisfactory TO this
government, and in accordance With the views
and tile policy which it had maintained The
tribunal which had convened in g -neya in
Deeember concluded its ,laborions session on
the 14th day OF September last, on which, day,
having availed itself of the discretionary pow
ler given TO il by the treaty TO award a sum in
gross, 1t made its decision, whereby il award
ed the eum of SI5 SOC, 900 i'm gold as the in
demnity TO be paid by Great Britain to the
United States, for the satisfaction OF all the
claims referred to its consideration This de-
.cision happily disposes OF long standing diff
ference between the two governments, aud in
connection with another award made by the
German Emperor under reference 10 him by
the same treaty, leaves these two governments
without shadow upon the ffiendly relations
which it is my sincere hope may forever re-
main equally unclouGed.. The report of the
agcnt OF the United States, appoiuted to at
tend the Geneva Tribunal, accom- panied by the
protocols of the proceedings of the Arbitra-
tors The arguments of the counsel OF both
governments, the award of the Tribunal, and
the opinions given by the several Arbitrators
Is transmitted herewith. have Caused TO be
communicated to the heads ofthe three friend
ly,powers who complied with the Joint re-
quest made to them under the treaty., the
thanks, of this government for the appoint
rnent Of Arbitrators made by them respective
ly, AM d also my thanks to the eminent person
ages named by them, and my appreciation of
the dignity, patience,i iinparlality and great
ability with which they discharged their ardu
0us- and dhishfupctions.z Hsr Majesty's gov
ernment- has communicated to me-, its anpre-
ciafIon by Her Majesty of1he ability and in
defatigable industry displayed by Mr. Adams,
the arbitrator named on the part of this Gov
ernment, during the protracted inquiries and
discussions of the Tribunal. 1 cordially unite
with Her Majesty in this appreciation. 1t is
due to the agent of the United States before
the Tribunal to record my high appreciation
of the marked ability, unwearied patience and
the prudence and discretion with which he has
conducted the very responsible and delicate
duties committed to him, as il is also due TO
the learned and eminent counsel who attend
ed the Tribunal on the part of this Govern
ment, to express my sense of the talent and
wisdom which they brought to bear in the ar
gument of the result so happily reached. 1t
will be the province of Congress to provide
for the distribution among those who may be
entitled TO it, of their respective shares of.ihe
mopeY to be paid. ~ 4
Although the sum awarded is not payable
until year from the date of the award, it is
deemed advisable that no time be lost in MAX
ing proper examination of the several cases
in which decentralization may be due. I con-
seqnentiy recommend the creation of board
CfcommissiOners for the DllrDose .gts,.--sa