Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-12-06
PRESIDENT ARTHUR's MESSAGE.
He Urges a Reduction of tho Tariff
as the only Means OF Enlarg.
Ing our Trade With
Foreign Nations.

1"8 ~SAA
Foreign Nations.
To the Congress of the United Stutes.
Since the close of your last session
the American people, in the exercise of
their highest right of suffrage, have
chosen their chief magistrate for the
four years ensuing. When it is remeln-
bered that at no period in the country's
history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day OF
the national election been waged with
greater tervor and intensity, it is a SUBJ
ject of congratulation that after the
controversy at the polls was over, and
while the slight preponoerance by
which the issue had been determined
was as yet unascertained, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the
people everywhere patiently and quiet
" awaited the result. Nothing more
strikingly ILLUSTRATES the temper of the
American citizen, his love of order,
and his LOYALTY 10 law; nothing ,oui4
more sienally demonstrate the strength
and wisdom of our political institu-
tions. Eight years have passed since
controversy concerning tie result of
national election sharply called the at
tention of congress to the necessity of
providing more 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 distract the
country. And am persuaded that by
the people at large any of the measures
OF relief thus far proposed would be
preferred to continued insction.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUN-
TRIES.
Our relations with all foreign pow
ers continues to be amieable. With
Belgium convention has been signed
whereby the scope Of present treaties
has been so enlarged as to secure to
citizens of either country, within the
Jurisdiction of the other, equal rights
and privileges.
In the acquisition and alienation of
property, a trade mark treaty has also
been concluded. The war between
Chill and Peru is at an end. For the
arbitration of the claims of American
citizens who, during its continuance
suffered through the acts of the Chilian
authorities, convention will soon be
negotiated.
and China continue to be all embarras-
sing feature OF our eastern relations.
The Chinese government has promptly
adjusted and paid the claims Of Amer
ican cilizens whose property was de-
strOyed in the recent riots at Canton. l
renew the recommendation of my last
annual message that the Canton i'll
demnity fund be returned to China.
The true Interpretation of the recent
treaty with that country permitting the
restriction of Chinese immigration is
likely to be again the subject Of your
deliberations. 1t may be seriously
questioned whether the statute passed
at the last session does not violate the
treaty rights of certain Chinese who
lett this country with return certificates
valid under the old law, and now seem
to be debarred from landing from lack
OF certificates required by the new.
The recent purchases by the United
States of large trading fleet hereto
fore under the Chinese flag has consid-
erably enhanced our commercial i'm
portance in the east. In view of the
large vessels built or purchased by
American citizens in other countries,
and exclusively employed in legitimate
traffic between foreign ports under the
recognized protection of our flag, it
might be well to provide uniform rate
of their registration and Documents
ton SO that the bona tide rights of onr
citizens therein shall be duly evidenced
and guarded. Pursuant to the advice
of the senate at the last session | re-
cognized the flag of the International
association of the Congo that of a
friendly government, avoiding in so
doing, any pre-judgment OF conflict in
territorial claims in the region subse-
qnently. In execution of the express
sed wish of congress appointed a
commercial agent for the Congo Basin.
The Importance of the rich prospective
trade of the Congo valley has led to
be open to all nations upon equal terms.
An International conference tor the con-
sideration of the subject, was called by
the Emperor of Germany, and is now
III session at Berlin, and delegates are
i'll attendance OH behalf of the United
States. OF the results of the confer
ence, you will be duly advised.
The government of Corea has gener-
ously aided the efforts of the United
States minister to secure suitable prem
ises for the use of the legation. AS the
conditions of diplomatic intercourse
with eastern nations demand the lega-
ton premises to be owned by the rep
resented power l advise that an ap-
preparation be made for the acquisi-
ton Of this property by the govern
mcnt. The United States already pos
sesses valuable premises at Tangier, as
gift from the sultan of Morocco, and
as stated hereafter they have lately re-
ceived similar gift from the Siamese
government. The government OF Japau