The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-15
The President s Message.

more important points in the Presidents me
sage. To-day we present comprehel
sive synopsis which will be found to cover tt
main features of the paper and give our reat
ers an intelligent idea of the scope OF its re
erenees and suggestions. We regret that "
cannot give The message in ertenso. 1t is
State document of rare ability, and fully dc
serves the commendation it has received frol
all quarters Irrespective Of politics.
The following is a synopsis OF the message
To the Sexase aid House Of Representatives :
the United States
An appalling calamity has befallen til
| American people sine their chosen represen
| satives last met in the halls where you ar
now assembled. We might else recall witt
| unalioyed contenf the prosperity with whc
| throughout the wear the nation has beef
blessed. lis haryests have been penleous
| It's varied Industries have thriyen; the healtl
OF It's people has been preserved il has main
tanned with foreign governments the un
disturbed relations of amity and peace. fo
these manifestations OF His favor, we owe L
Him who holds onrdestiny in Hts hands tht
tribute of our grateful devotion.
| 10 that mysterious exercise of his will
sshfszs kali<sh LIE ass dhe loved sad Illus
tilous citizen vino WIS bat lately the head o
the nation, we bow ID sorrow and submission
| The memory of fisexalted character, of his
! noble achievements, and of his patriotic life
will be treasured forever as Il sacred possession
of the whole people.
The announcement Of his death drew from
foreign governments and peoples tributes OF
sympathy and sorrow which history will re-
cord as signal tokens of the kinship of nations
and the federation of mankind
The feeling of goodwill between our own
government and that Of Great Britain was
| never more marked than al present In recog-
milton of this pleasing fact directed on the
occasion OF the late centennial celebration at
Yorktown, that salute be- given to the Brit
ish flag.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The presence at the Yorktown celebration
of representatives of the French Republic and
descendants of LAFAYETTE and of his gallant
cumpatriots who were our allies in the Reyo-
luton, has Served to strengthen the spirit of
goodwill which has always existed between
the two nations.
The participation of the descendants of
Baron Won Steuben at the Yorktown testiyi-
tles and their subsequent reception by their
American kinsmen, slrikingly eyinced the ties
OF goodwill which unite the German people
and our own.
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
1t is desirable that our cordial relations with
Russia should be strengthened by proper en-
gagements, assuring 10 peaceable Americans
who visit the Empire the consideration which
is due to them as citizens OF friendly state.
This is especially needful with respect 70
American lsraelites, whose classification with
the native Hebrews has evoked energetic re-
monstrances from this government.
The questions growing out of the proposed
interoceanic waterway across the IstmlIs of
Panama are OF grave national Importance
This government has not been unmindtul of
the solemn obligations imposed upon it by its
compact OF 1916 with Colombia, AS the indie
pendent and sovereign mistress of the territory
crossed by the canal, and has sought to render
them effective by fresh engagements with the
Colombian Republic looking to their practical
execution. The negotiations to this end, after
they had reached what appeared to be mutu-
ally satisfactory solution here, were met in Co
lombia by a disavowal of the powers which
its envoy had assumed. and by proposal for
renewed negotiation on modified basis
Meanwhile this government learned that
Colombia had proposed to- the European DOW
ers to join in euaranteeof the neutrality of
the proposed Panama Canal--a guarantee
which would be in direct contlavention of our
obligation as the sole guarantor of the ntep-
rity of Colombian territory and OF the neutral
ity Of the canal itself ally lamented prede-
cessor felt it his duty to place before the Eu-
ropeangs powers thel reasons which make the
prior guarantee of the United States indlspen-
sable. and for which the interiection of any
foreign guarantee might be regarded as a SUI
pert1uous and unfrendy act
Foreseelng the probable reliance Of the Brit
lsh Government on the provisions of the CLAY
ton Bulwer ueaty Of 1850. as affording room
for share in the guarantees which the United
States cOvenanted with Colombia four wears
before, have not fiesitated to supplement the
action of my predecessor by proposing to Her
Majesty's Government the modification of that
instrument and the abrogaion Of such clauses
thereof as do not comport with the obligations
of the United States toward Colombia, or with
the vital needs Of the two friendly parties to
the compact.
This government sees with great concern the
continuance OF the hostile relations between
Chill, Bolivia, and Peru. An early peace be-
tween these republics is much to be desired,
not only that they may themselves be spared
further misery and bloodshed but because
their continued antagonism threatens conse-
quences, which are, in my Judgment, danger
Gus to the Interests OF republican government
on this continent, and calculated to destroy
the best elements OF our free and peaceful civ
iliZatiOn.
AS in the present excited condition of popu-
lar feeling in these countries there has been
serious misapprehension of the position of the
United States, and as a separate diplomatic in
tercourse with each through Independent min
listers is sometimes subject, owing to the want
OF prompt reciprocal communication, to tenn |
porary misunderstanding, | have deemed it |
Judlclous, at the present time to send sreca |
envoy, accredited to all and each of them, and |
furnished with general instructions, which |
will, trust, enable him to bring these pow
ers into friendly relations.
am glad to inform you that the treaties |
lately negotiated with China have been duly |
ratified on both sides, and the exchange made |
a! Peking. Legislation is necessary to carry !
their provisions into effect. The prompt and
friendly spirit with which the Chinese govern
ment, at the request OF the United States, con- |
ceded the modification OF existing treaties |
should secure careful regard for the interest !
and susceptibities of the government in the |
enactment OF any laws relating to Chinese I'M |
migration.
Those clauses of the treaties which forbid |
the participation of citizens or vessels OF the |
United States in the opium trade will doubt |
less receive your approval lhey VIII attest |
the sincere interest which our people and gov |
eminent feel in the co mmendafle efforts OF the
Chinese government to put Il sop TO THIS de- |
moralizing and destructive traffic
HEALTH.
The International Sanitary Conference,
adopted form of a bill of health to be used |
by all vessels seeking to enter the ports OF the
countries whose Representatives participated
in its deliberations This fern mas since been
prescribed by the National boaid OF Health |
and incorporated with its rules ana regula-
tions, which have been approved by me IN
pursuance of law The beallh OF Inc peoplels
OF supreme importance. Az measures LOOK,
ing TO their protection aganis. Tue spread OF
contagious diseases and TO lpe increase OF our
sanitary knowledge for such purposes, deserve
the attention of Congress.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary, presents IN de-
tail highly satisfactory exhibit OF the state OF
the finances and the copdition OF tne various
branches of the public serFice administered by |
that department.
The ordinary revenues from all sources for !
the fiscal wear ending June 80, 1881, were:
From Customs. i &c 5es'o o W
From Internal revenue. ''.' 100 aot,ooo u
From sales or nuhIic lands 2,201, 1858 II
From tax on circulation and ael"si's
OF national banks. ~ nacin o''io'ilo y
From repayment OF inieres' ~ Ne o,o ono On
railway companies .oa,,ec ra;I 'ioooo oo
way co imHans sunu so5,1sO 81
From customs, fee, fues' p' ooe %