The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-09
PRESIDENT ARTHUR.
His First Annual Message to
Congress.
A Tribute to the Memory OF the
Lamented Garfield.
The Financial and Other Public 0ues-
tiOns OF Interest Discussed.
WASHINGTON. ID. O. Dec q

United states;
An appalling calamity has befallen the
American people since their chosen repre-
sentatives last met in the halls where you
are now assembled. We might else recall with
unalloyed content the prosperity with which,
throughout the year, the nation has
been blessed. Its harvests have been
plenteous, its varied industries have thrven.
the health of its people has been preserved. 1t
has maintained with foreign governments the
undisturbed relations Of amity and peace. For
these manifestations Of His favor, we owe to
HIM who holds our destiny in His hands the
tribute of our grateful devotions. TO that mys-
terious exerciseaof will which has taken from
us the loved and lllustrious citizen who
was but lately the head Of the nation,
we bow in sorrow and submission.
The memory of his exalted character, of his
noble achievements and Of his patriotic life,
will be treasured forever as a sacred posses
sion OF the whole people. The announcement
Of his death drew from foreign governments
and peoples tributes of sympathy and sorrow,
which history will record as signal tokens Of
the kinship OF nations and the federation Of
mankind.
GREAT BRITAIN.
The feeling OF good will between our own
Government and that of Great Britain was
never more marked than at present. In
recognition of this pleasing fact, L directed
on the occasion of the late centennial cele-
bration at Yorktown that salute be given
to the British flag. Early in the year
the Fortune bay claims were satisfactorily
settled by the British Government paying in
full the sum of $4,000, most Of which has
already been distributed. AS the terms of the
settlement included compensation for injuries
suffered by our fishermen at Aspee bay, there
has been retained from the gross award a sum
which is deemed adequate for these claims.
THE AUSTRALIAN EXPOSITION.
The participation of Americans In the eX-
Qf nd will no
approvingly mentioned in the reports OF the
two exhibitions, soon TO be presented 10 Con-
gress. They will disclose the readiness of our
countrymen TO make successful competition IN
distant fields of enterprise.
THE IsTHMUs CANAL.
In relation to the proposed canal across the
Isthmus of Panama, little has occurred worthy
OF mention in the diplomatic relations
OF the country.
Negotiations for an international copyright
convention are in hopeful progress.
SITTING BULI.
The surrender Of Sitting Bull and his forces.
upon the Canadian frontier, has alayed all ap-
prehension. although bodies Of British Indians
still cross the border in quest of sustenance.
Upon this subject correspondence has been
opened which promises adequate under
standing. Our troops have orders to avoid,
meanwhile, all collisions with alien Indians.
THE FRENCH GUESTS
The presence at the Yorktown celebration OF
the representatives Of the descendants OF La
fayette and of his gallant compatriots. who
were our allies in the Revolution, has served to
strengthen the spirit of goodwill which has al
ways existed between the two nations.
BTMETALIIC CONFERENCE.
You viii be furnished with the proceedings
OF the Blmetalllc Conference, held during the
summer at the city of Paris. No accord was
reached bur a valuable Interchange of views
was had, and the conference will next year be
renewed.
ELECTRICAL EXPOSITION.
AT the Electrical Exhibition and Congress.
also held at Paris, this country was creditably
represented by eminaent specialists who. in
the absence Of an appropriation, generously
lent their efficient aid at the instance of the
State Department. While our exhibitions in
this amost-distinctively American field of
achievement have won several awards Irecom-
mend that Congress provide for the repayment
OF the personal expenses incurred in the public
interest by the honorary commissioners and
delegates.
No new question respecting the status OF
OUR NATURALIzED CITIZENS IN GERMANY
have arisen during the year, and causes of
complaint, especially in Alsace and Lorraine.
have practically ceased through the lib
eral action OF the Imperial Government in
accepting our often expressed views on
the subject The application of the
treaty Of 1863 to the lately acquired
Rhenish provinces has received very
earnest attention. definite and lasting
agreement on this point is confidently expected.
The participation of the descendants of Baron
Won Steuben in the Yorktown festivities, and
their subsequent reception by their American
kinsmen, strikingly evinced the ties of good
will which unite the German people and our
own. Our
INTERCOURSE WITH SPAIN
has been friendly An agreement concluded
III February last fixes a term for the labors for
the Spanish and American Claims Commission.
The Spanish Government has been requested
to pay the late award of the Commission, and
Will, it Is believed, accede TO the request
as promptly and courteously as on former
occasions. BY recent legislation onerous
fines have been imposed upon American
shipping in Spanish and colonial ports
for slight Irregularities in manifests.
One case Of hardship is specially worthy
of attention. The bark Masonic, bound for
Japan, entered Manila in distress. and is there
sought to be condscated under the Spanish
revenue laws for an alleged shortage IN her
transhipped cargo. Though efforts for her re-
lief have thus far proved unavaing, it Is ex-
pected that the whole will be adjusted in q
friendly spirit
THE CARS ASSASSINATION.
The Senate resolutions of coincidence on the
assassination of the Gar Alexander III. were
appropriately communicated to the Russian
Government, which in turn has expressed
its sympathy in our late national bereavement.
IL is desirable that our cordial rela-
tons with Russia should be
strengthened bv proper engagements.
assuring to peaceable Americans who visit the
empire the consideration which is due to them
as citizens OF a friendly State This is espe-
cially needful with respect to American Israeli
ties, whose classification with the native He
brew has evoked energetic remonstrances from
this Government
ITALY.
The consular agreement with Italy has been
sanctioned and proclaimed which puts at rest
conflicts of jurisdiction in the case OF crimes on
shipboard. Several important international
conferences have been held in Italy during
the year. At the Geographical Con-
gress of Venice, the Bonfice Congress OF
Milan, and the Nice Congress Of Turin,
this country was represented by delegates from
branches Of the public service or by private
citizens, duly accredited TO il IN an honorary
capacity. 1t is hoped that Congress will give
such prominence TO the results of their partici-
patton as they may seem to deserve.
The abolition of all discriminating duties
against Dutch colonial productions Of the Dutch