Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-08
No Public Position as a Reward for Par
tisan Service"
THE REPEAL OF THE LAND LAWS.
A NEW DISTRICT BUILDING.
A NATIONAL LIBRARY BUILDING.
ETC., ETC., Etc.
4 f6e Tinted IHnfes.

To the Congress Of the United States:
Your assembling is clouded by a sense of pub
lie bereavement, caused by the recent and sud-
den death of Thomas 4. Hendricks, Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. His distinguished
public services his complete integrity and de-
votion 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 manifested by his election to
offices of the most important trust and highest
dignity; and at length, full OF years and honors,
he has been laid at rest amid universal sorrow
and benediction.
The Constitution which requires those chosen
to legslate for the people to annually meet IN
the discharge of their solemn trust, also re-
quires the President to give to Congress infor-
nation of the state of the Union and recon-
mend to their consideration such measures as
he shall deem necessary and expedient. At
the threshold OF y com Tliance with these con-
stitutiona directions, il is we'll for to bear in
mind that our usefulness To the peoples inter
ests will De promoted by constant apprecia-
ton OF the scope and character of oUr respective
duties they relate to Federal legislation.
While the Executive may recommend such
measures as he shall deem expedient the re-
sponsibiiity tor legislative action must and
should rest upon those selected by the people to
make their laws.
Contemplation of the grave and responsible
functions assigned 10 the respective branches
of the Government under the Constitution, will
disclose the partitions OF power between our re-
spective departments and their necessary inde-
pendence, and also the need for the exercise of
all the power intrusted TO each, in that spirit
Of comfy and cooperation which Is essential to
the proper fulfillment of the patriotic obIiga-
tons which rest upon us as faithful servants of
the people
The Jealous watchfulness of our constituent
ees, great ana small, supplements their suf-
hages, and before the tribunal they establish
every public servant should be Judged.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
II is gratifying to announce that the relations
OF the United States with all foreign powers
continue To be friendly. Our position after
nearly . century of successful constitutional
government, maintenance of good faith in all
our engagements, the avoidance of complica-
tions with other nations, and our consistent
and amicsble attitude toward the strong and
weak alike furnish proof of political DISPOSE
ton which renders professions of good will un-
necessary. There are no questions of difficulty
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. attributed to the action of the
commander OF the SiOOp-Of- war LIE XiugtOn in
breaking up piratical colony on those islands
In 1881. and their subsequent occupation by
Great Britain. In view of the ample justifica-
ton for the act of the Lexington and the dere-
Gct condition of the islands before and after
their alleged occupation by Argentine coIonists
this Government considers the claim as wholly
Kround.ess-
Question has arisen with the government OF
Austrfa-Hungary touching the representation
of the United states II Vienna. Having under
my constitutional prerogative, appointed an
estimable citizen of uniinpeached probity and
competence munster at that court. the Gov
eminent of Austria-Hunsary invited this Gov
erunlent To take cogniZance of certain exceD-
lions, based upon allegations against the per-
sonal acceptability of Mi. Kelly. the appointed
envoy, asking that, iii view thereof the an
pointmept should be Withdrawn. The reasons
advanced were such could not be acauiesce
IN, without violation of my oath of Offce and
Ihe precepts of the Constitution since they
necessarily involved a limitation in favor of a
foreign government upon the right OF selection
by the Executive. and required such an appli-
cation of a religious test a qualification for
office under the United States as would have
resulted Inf the practical Acknowledgement of a
large class OF our citizens and the abandonment
Of vital principle in our Government. The
Austro-Hungarian Government finally decided
not to receive Mr.. Kelly the envoy OF the
United States, and that gentleman has since re-
signed his ommiSsion, leaving the post vacant
have made no new nomination and the inter
ests of this government at Vienna now in
the care of the secretary of legation, acting as
charge affdires al tftfeTtas.
Early I'm March last. war broke out in Contra,
America, caused by the attempt OF Guatema' a
tO cOHSoiiudtc the several states into single
government In these contests between our
neighbOring states the United states forebore to
interfere actively, but lent the aid OF their
friendly offices In depreciation Of war and TO
promote peace and concord among the b.liige-
rents, and by such counsel contributed i'm port
antiy to the restore ton of tranquility In that
locality.
Emergencies growing out Of civil war In the
United states OF Columbia demanded of the
Government at the beginning of this admins
tratiOn the empioym ent OF armed force TO futnil
lis guarantees under the thirty-fs ',h article Of
the treaty OF 1916, in order TO keep the traneil
open across the Isthmus Of Panama D,s.r,us
Decreasing only the powers expressly reserved
% rs by the treaty, and mindful OF the rights
OF Colombia, the forces sent To the Isthinus
were instru, ted TO confine their action 10 pOsi.
lively and e.ficacioasiy' preventing the transit
and its accessories from being Uninterrupted or
embarrassed"
BILE task necessarily involved police control
where the local authority was Temporarily
powerless, but always in aid OF the sovereignty
OF Colombia.
The prompt and successful fulfiIlmeut of its
duty by this Government was highly apprect-
ated by the Government of Colombia and has
been followed by expressions Of its satisfaction
High praise Is due to the officers and men en-
gagged in this service.
The restoration Of peace on the Isthmus by
the re-establishment Of the constituted govern
Inent there being thus accomplished, the forces
OF the United States were withdrawn.
Pending these occurrences question of much
importance was presented by DEGREES Of the
Colombian Government, prociaiming the clio
sure Of certain ports then in the hands Of in
rev0lutrnists 10 be piratical and liable 70 cap
ture by any power. To neither OF these prOpO-
sitions could the United States assent. An
Of the government. but held by hostile parti-
sans, could not be recognized; neither could
the vessels OF Insurgents against the legitimate
sovereignty be deemed hostes ha'sans generic