Madison times., 1885-12-19
Presidents MESSAGE.
wAsHrsGroS,D c., Decem Der 8.
10 the Congress Of the UaHsl States:


public bereavement, caused by the recent
sudden death of Thomas a. Hendricks, Vice
President OF the United States. Ills distIn-
guished public services, his complete lnteg-
rity and devotion to every duty, and his
personal virtues, will find honorable record
In his country's history. Ample and re-
peated proofs Of the esteem and confidence
In which he was held by his fellow coun.
trymen were manifested by his election to
Offices of the most important tru st and high
est dignity, and at length. full OF years and
honors, he has been laid at rest amid uni
versal sorrow and benedciion.
The Constitution, which requires those
chosen to legislate for the people to annual.
ly meet in the discharge of their solemn
trust, also requires the President TO give to
Congress Information OF the States of the
Union and recommend to their considera.
tion such measures which he should deem
necessary and expedient. At the threshold
OF compliance with these constitu-
tional directions, It Is well for us to
bear Ia mind that our usefulness to the
peoples interests will be prompted by
constant appreciation of the scope and
character of our respective duties, as they
relate to Federal legislation. While the
Executive may recommend such measures
as he shall deem expedlent, the responsi-
bility for Legislative action must and should
rest upon those selected by the people to
make their laws Contemplation of grave
and responsible functions assigned to
the executive branches of the Gov
ernment under the Constitution will
disclose the partitions of power between our
respective departments and their neces-
ssry independence, and also the need for
the exercise Of all the power intrusted to
each, in that spirit of comfy and coop
GRAFTON which is essential to the proper
fulfllment of the patriotic obligations
which rest upon us as faithful servants OF
the people. The jealous watchfulness OF
our constituency as great and small sup
plements their suffrages, and before the
tribunal they establish every public ser
want should be judged.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONSHIP QUESTIONS OF
DIFFICULTY PENDING WITH ANY
FOREIGN POWER.
1t is gratifying to announce that the rell
tions of the United States with all foreign
powers continue to be friendly. Our posi-
ton, after nearly half a century OF success
ful constitutional government. maintenance
OF good faith in all OF our engagements, the
avoidance of complications with other ma
tons, and consistent and amcable attitude
proof of political disposition which renders
professions of good will unnecessary.
There are no questions of diff
Guilty pending with any foreign government
THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT
has revived the long dormant question of
the Falkland Islands by claiming from the
United states indemnity for their loss, at
tributed to the action OF the Commander of
the sloop Lexington, In break king up pirat :.
ical colony on those islands In 1881, and
their subsequent occupation by Great Brit
ain In view of the ample Justification for
the act of the Lexington and the derelict
condition of the islands before and after
their alleged occupation by Argentine col
onists, this Government considers the claim
as wholly groundless.
THE Kelly CASE.
Aquestlon has arisen with the Government
Of Austro- Hungary touching the represent
alton of the United states ut Vienna. Hav-
ing, under my constitutional prerogative,
appointed an estimable citizen of unim-
peachable probity and competency as Minis
ter to that Court, the Governments OF Austro-
Hungary invited this Government to the
cogniZance of certain exceptions, based up
or allegations against the personal accepta-
bility of Mr.. Kelly, thei appointed Envoy,
meni should be withdrawn. The reasons ad :
vanced were such as could not be acquiesced
in without violation of my oath of Office
sna the snor sSep the
limitation in favor of q foreign Government
upon the right OF selection by the Execu-
tive, and required such an application Of u
under the United States as would have re-
suited in the practical disfranchisement of a
large class of our citizens, and the abandon
nent of n vital prime pie in our Government.
Tue Austro Hungarian Government finally
deci ided not to receive Mr.. Kelly as the envoy
OF the United states, and the gentleman has
since resigned his commission, leav ing the
post vacant. have made no new nomina.
tion. and the interests of this Government
at vienna are now in the care of the Secre-
tary of Legation acting as Charge d'Affairs
al interim.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Early in March last war broke out in Gen.
tral America, caused by tho attempt OF
Guatemala to consolidate the several states
into a single government In these contests Q
between our neighboring States the United
States forebore to interfere actively, but
lent the aid of their friendly offices In depre.
cation of war to promote peace and concord
among the helligerents, and by such counsel
contributed Importantly to the preservation
OF tranquility in that locality.
Emergencies growing out of the civil war
in the United States of Colombia demanded
Administration, the employment of. an
armed force to fulfill its guarantees under
the Thirty NTH article OF the treaty OF 1876
in order to keep the transit open across the
DESTROYS of exercising only the powers ex
pressly reserved to us by the treaty ano
mindfuI of the rights of Colombia. the forces
sent TO the Isthmus were instructed to con
fine their action to positively and efica
ciously" preventing the transit and its &C
cessories from being interrupted or embar
responsible task necessarily involved police
control where the local authority was tenn
porarily powerless, but always in aid of the
soverelgnty Of Colombo; the prompt mp nnn sne
eminent was highly appreciated by the Gov
ernment of Colombia, and has been FOLLOWED
by expression of its satisfaction. Higi
praise Is due to the officers and men en-
gagged in this service. The restoration o
peace on the isthmus by the re-establish
ment Of the constituted Government Their
being thus accomplished, the forces OF th'
United States were withdrawn.
Pending these occurrences question o
much importance was presented by DEGREES
the 1 Closure of Certain ports in the hands O
insurgents and declaring vessels held by th'
revolutionists to be piratical and liable Il
capture by any power. TO neither OF thes
| propositions could the United States assent
| An effective closure of ports not in the pos
session of the Government, but held by hos
| tiles, partisans could not be recognized
| against the legitimate sovereignty be deem
| cd hostes humani generis within the precept
| OF international law, whatever might be tn
dention and penalty OF their a. acts s,SnTis Snde
/ they were In revolt The denial bv this Gov
ernnent of the Colombian proposition di'
| nor, however, imply the admission of q be
| ligerent status on the part of the insur
/ gents.
inc Colombian Government has expresses
| its willingness to negotiate cow entions 70
| the adjustment by arbitration OF claims B.
| foreign citizens arising out of the destruc
| ito. OF the city OF Asplnwall by the insurrec
L tiOnary 4 rces.
/ The interest OF the United States in a prac
/ ticaDle transit for ships across the strip Q
i land separating the Atlantic from the Pacifi
| has been repeatedly manifested during tn
last half century. Ny immediate predeces
sor caused to be negotiated with Nicaragu
/ treaty for the construction by and at tn
i sole cost of the United States of q cans