Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-12-14

The obelisk, generously presented b.
The khedive Of Egypt TO the city OF New
York, has safely arrived in this country
ard will soon be erected in that me
trupolis. A commission for the liquida
ton OF the Egyptian debt has lately con
cluded its work, and this government
Mt the earnest solicitation OF the khe
dive. has acceded to the provision:
adopted by it, which will be laid before
Congress for its information. A com
mission for the revision Of the judicial
code of the reform tribunal of Egypt j:
now in session in Cairo Mr.. Farnan,
consul-general, and j. NJ. Bachelor,
Esq, have been appointed As commits
sioners 10 participate in this work. The
organization Of the reform tribunals will
probably DE continued for anotherperi5d
OF five years.
In pursuance OF the act passed at the
last session OF Congress, invitations
have been extended to foreign maritime
States TO join in sanitary conference in
Washington beginning the first OF
January The acceptance of this in
vitation by many prominent powers
gives promise OF success in this import
ant measure designed to establish a
system OF international notification by
which the spread of infectious or epl-
/ demic diseases may be more ehcc4VeIy
! checked or prevented. The attention OF
/ Congress is invited 10 the necessary ap-
preparations for carrying into effect the
provisions OF the act referred TO.
The efforts OF the department OF state
10 enlarge the trede and commerce OF
the United State, through the active
agency OF consular officers and through
the dissemination of information oD-
tanned from them, have been unrelaxed.
| The interest in these efforts, Is developed
| in our commercial communities, and the
| value of the information secured by this
means, to the trade and manufactures OF
| the country, we're recognized oy Con-
gress at its last session, and provision
was made for the more frequent pubiicst-
! ton Of consular and Other reports by tie
! department Of state. The first issue OF
| this publication has now been prepared,
and subsequent issues may regularly De
expected. The importance and interest
attached to the reports OF consular oth :
GERS are witnessed by the general demand
for them by al classes OF merchants and
manufacturers engaged in our foreign
/
such publications is deserving of the
approval OF Congress, and that the neces-
sary appropriations for its continuance
and enlargement will commend itseH 10
your consideration.
The prosperous energies OF our do
mestic industries, and their immense
production of the subjects OF foreign
| commerce, invite, anu even require, an
active development OF the wishes and
interests OF our people in that direction.
Especially important is 1t that our cons
mercial relations with the Atlantic and
PacifiL coasts of South America, with
the West Indies, and the Gulf OF Mex
leo should he direct, and not through
the circuit of European systems, and
! should ne carried on in our own bot
toms. The full appre citation OF the OPP
portunities which our front on the Pa
cifiC ocean gives TO commerce with
japan. China and the East Indies, with
Australia and the Island groups which
| lie along these routes OF nav
igation, should inspire equal ei>
forts to appropriate 10 our own
shipping, and TO administer by our own
capital, due proportion OF this trade.
Whatever notifications OF our regu!a-
tions Of trade and navigation may be
necessary or useful TO meet and direct
these IMPULSES 10 the enlargement OF our
exchanges and of our carrying trade, L
AN sure the wisdom OF Congress Will be
ready to supply. One initial measure.
however, seems TO me so clearly useful
and efficient that | venture TO press 1t
upon your earnest attention. IL seems
10 be very evident that the provision OF
regular steam-postal communication, By
aid ON government, has been the fore
runner of the commercial predominance
of Great Britsin on al. these coasts and
seas, q greater share In whose trade
is now the desire and intent OF our peo-
pie. II Is also manifest that the efforts
of other EurOpean nations con-
tend with Great Britain for share OF
this commerce have been successful IN
proportion with their adoption Of regu-
lar steam-postal communication with
the markets whose trade they sought.
Mexico and the States OF South America
are anxious To receive such postal com
munications with this country, and to
aid in their development. Similar CO.
operation may be looked for, in due
time, from the + lste n nations and from
Australia. 1t is difficult to see how the
lead in this movement can be expected
from private interests. 10 respect oil
foreign commerce, quite as much IS IN
internal trade, postal communication
seems necessarily a matter OF common
and public administration, and thus
pertaining TO government. L respect
fully recommend TO your prompt atten-
ton such Just and efficient measures AS
may conduce to the development of our
foreign commercial exchanges and the
building up OF our carrying trade.
In this connection desire Also TO sug-
gesl the very great service which might
be expected in charging and facilitating
our commerce on the Pacific ucesn,
were a transmarine cable laid from San
Francisco to the Sandwich Islands, and
thence to Japan at the North and Aus
tralia at the South. The great influence
of such means of communication on
these routes of navigation, in develop.
ing and securing the due share OF our
Pacific coast in the commerce OF the
world, needs no illustration or enforce
ment. 1t may he that such On enter
prise, useful and in the end profitable as
il would pr We to private investment,
may need to be accelerated by prudent
legislation by Congress in its aid, aud l
submit the matter TO your careful con-
sideration.
An additional and not unimportant,
although secondary, reason for fostering
and charging the navy may be found in
the unquestionable service to the expan-
sion of our commerce which would be
rendered by the frequent circulation OF
naval ships in the sess and ports OF all
quarters OF the globe. Ships of the
proper construction and equipment, IN
be OF The greatest efficiency in case OF
maritime war, might be made constant
and active agents in time of peace in the
advancement and protection of our for
eign trade, and in the nurture and disci.
pine of young seamen, who would