The Dillon tribune., 1884-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
sn,l Text of the Document in Relation
to Foreign Affairs.
.ro the congress of the United States:

.ro the Congress Of the United States:
Since the close of your last :ssion the
American people, in the exercise Of the
highest right OF suffrage, have chosen their
Chief Magistrate. When it is remembered
that at no period in the country's history
has the long political contest which, Gus
,,roarily prrcedes IL, day Of the National
election been waged with greater tcrvor
and intensity, it is subject Of congratula.
.ion that after the controversy ut the polls
was over, and while the slight prcponder.
ance BY which the issue had been deter
mined was as yet uncertain, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the peo-
pic patiently and quietly awaited
The result. Nothing could have more
strikingly illustrated the temper of the
American citizen, his love OF order and his
LOYALTY to law, and nothing could more
signally demonstrate the strength and
wisdom Of our political institutions. Eight
years have passed since controversy con-
cerning the result Of National election
sharply called the attention Of Congress to
the necessity Of providing more precise
and definite regulations for counting the
Electoral vote.
1t is Of the gravest Importance that this
question be solved before conflicting
claims to the Presidency shall again dis
tract the country, and am persuaded that
BY the people at large any Of the measures
Of relief thus far proposed would be pre-
ferred to continued inaction.
Our relations with all foreign Powers
continue to be amicable. With Begium
convention has been .i.ned whereby the
scope OF present treaties has been so en-
larged as to sec ure to citl:cns OF either
country within the jurisdiction Of the other
equal rights and privileges. In the acq"''
sition and alienation Of property trade
mark treaty has heen concluded.
The war between Chilli and Peru is ut an
end. For the arbitration Of the claims OF
American citizens who during Its continu-
ance suffered through the acts of the Chill
ian authorities, a convention will soon be
negotiated.
The state of hos,ilitics between France
and China continues TO be an embarrassing
feature of our Eastern relations. The
Chinese Government has promptly ad-
iusted and paid the claims Of American
citizens whose property was DESTROYED in
I tIlt,
recommendation Of my last annual mes
sape that the Canton flnd bc returned to
China. The true Interpretation OF the re-
cent treaty with that country. permitting
the restriction OF Chinese immigration. is
likely to be again the subject OF your de-
iiberations 1t may be seriously questioned
whether the statute passed at the last scs-
sion does not violate the treaty rights of
certain Chinese who left this country with
return certificates valid under the old law,
and now seem to be t!cbarred from landing
from. tho lack OF the certificate required
under tho new law.
The recent purchase b, the United
States OF large trading fleet, heretofore
under the Chinese tlag, has considerably
enhanced our commercial Importance in
the East.
In view of the large number of vessels
built or purchased by American citizens in
other countries, and exclusively employed
in legitimate traffic between foreign ports
nndcr the recognized protection OF oar
flag, it would be we'll to ,'royit!l uniform
rate of registration and Recommendations that
the bona iidc property rights OF ou' c''!'
aens therein shall b. duly evidenced an"
properly guarded.
Pursuant to the advice ~ tFe Senate at
the last session, have recognized the i!a.
Of the International Association OF '',e
Congo as tha; o.! !; friendly government
.,voidin, iii so doing any prcius:-'ncnt OF i
conflict of international claims il that d.
rcclion. Subsequently,, in the execution G!
the expressed wishes Of Congress, | ap'
pointed commercial agent for The Congo
basin. The Importance OF the rich pros
pective trade OF the Congo valley has led
toa general conviction that it should b.
open to all nations on equal terms. An
International conference for the considcra-
ton OF the subject has been called by the
Emperor of Germany, and is now in scs,
sion in Berlin. Delegates arc now in at
tendance on behalf Of the l'uited States.
VI the result OF the conference YOU will
be duly advised.
The Government Of Corea has gener.
ously aided the efforts of the United States