The Somerset reporter., 1885-12-16
WASHINGTON. Dec. Sth.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Sth.
The President begins his message by
referring to tie death of Mr.. Hendricks,
as follows:
10 tie Compress of Me Gaitt-l states -
Your assembling is clouded by sense
of public bereavement, caused by the re-
cent and sudden death of Thomas H..
Hendricks, Vice President of the United
States. His distinguished public services,
his complete integrity and devotion to
every duty, and his personal virtues Will
find honorable record in his country'S his
tory Ample and repeated proofs OF the
esteem and confidence in which he was
held by his fellow countrymen were mani
tested b his election to offices of the
most ilnportont trust and highest dignity
and ut length, full of years and honors,
he Inns been laid to rest amid universal
sorrow and bcncdictOn."
The President calls attention to the fact
that while he may suggest measures, the
responsibility should and does rest with
Congress for all legislation, also that
comfy and cooperation are essential to
the patriotic obligations which rest upon
all.
OUR FRIENDLY FOREIGN RELATIONS.
He then refers to foreign affairs by say
ing that it is q tifying to announce that
the relations of the United States with all
foreign powers continue to be friendly.
Our position after nearly a century of sue
cessful constitutional government, main
tainance of good faith in all our engage
ments. avoidance of complication with
nations and our consistent and amicable
attitude toward the strong and weak alike
furnish proof of the political disposition
which we claim.
President Cleveland then referred to
the rcopening of the claim of the Argen-
tine Republic for indemnity, because of
the loss to it Of the Falkland Islands,
through the action of the United States
sloop-of war Lcxin9ton in breaking up Il
piratical colony of the Islands i'll ISL,
which led to their settlement by Great
Britain. The President considers the act
of the Lexington justiilabc and express
es the opinion that the claim for indemnity
is groundlcsS.
TIE VACANT AUSTRIAN MISSION.
He then refers to the Austrian mission
as follows: Having under the constitu-
tional power appointed an estimabe citi-
zen of unimpeachable probity and compe-
tence as Minister AT the Court of Vienna,
vited the government to take cognizance
of certain exceptions based upon aliega-
tons against the personal acceptability of
MIR. Kelly the appointed envoy, asking
that in view. thereof, the appointment
should he withdrawn. The reasons adj
yanccd were such rs could not be acqui-
csccd in without violation of my order OF
Office and the prccepts of the Constitution
81, ri la inrn1lnI 81
| in favor of foreign government upon
the right of selection by the executive an,
required such application of a religion,
test as Il qualification for office as under
the United States would have resulted il
the practical disfranchSement of large
class of our citizens and the abandonment
of n vital principle in our Cove nment
The Acknowledgements government finally
decided not to receive Mr.. Kelly as envoy
of the United States, and that gentleman
has since resigned his commission, lear
| ing the post vacant. have made no new
nomination, and the interests of this GOV
eminent at Vienna are now in the care ol
the Secretary Of Legation, acting IL
charge d'afiairs ad interim.
TIE CENTRAL. AMERICAN WAR.
In regard to the war which broke ont il
Central America last March caused by The
attempt of Guatemala to consolidate seN
cral states in II single government th'
President SAYS that the United States Tor
bore to interfere actively, but lent the ai'
of their friendly offices in the depreciation
of war. and promote peace ana concord
among the beligerents, and by such cohn
sci contributed Importantly to the rcstor
alton of tranquility in that locality. Th'
emergencies growing out of civil war II
the 'nitcd States of Columbia demanded
of the government at the beginning o
this administration the employment OF Al
armed force to fulfil its guarantees undo
the ;,5th article of the treaty of 1876, IL
order to keep transit open across the 18th
mus of Panama The execution of thi
delicate and responsible task necessarl
involved DO ice control where local an
thority was temporarily powerless, bu
always in aid of the security of Columbus
Reference is then made to the prompt an
successful fulillment of its duty by TIN
government, and the President says Ing
praise is due the officers and men engage
in this service.
REASONS EoR WITHHOLDING NICARAGUA
TREATY.
The President then refers to his will
|, drawri from the Senate of the treaty wit
Nicaragua, sent to that body by Prcsider
Arthur which provided for ship canal
be constructed by the United States fro
the Atlantic to the Pacific across Near
; guam territory. Attentive considerable
OF its provisions, he says, leads him
|. withhold Il from submtssion 70 the Se