St. Landry democrat., 1885-12-19
President Message.
wAsn1NeroN,D. G., December 8.

1OuE assembling rs ciOuu6U Dy O. sense OF
public bereavement, caused by the recent
sudden death OF Thomas A. Hendricks. Vice.
President of the United States. His distin-
guished public services, his complete integ-
Tity 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
an which he was held by his fellow coun-
trymen were manifested by his election to
offices OF the most important trust and high.
est dignity, and at4ength. full of years and
honors, he has been laid at rest amid uni
versal sorrow and benedlction.
The Constitution, which requires those
chosen to legslateaor the people to annual
ay meet in the discharge of their solemn
trust, also requires the President TO give to
Congress information of tho States of the
Union and recommend TO their considera-
Lion such measures which he should deem
necessary and expedient. At the threshold
of compliance with these constitu.
tional directions, 1T is well for US to
bear in mind that our usefulness Co 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 expedient, the responsi-
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
eminent under the Constitution will
disclose the partitions of power between our
respective departments and their neces-
sary independence, and also the need for
the exercise of all the power Entrusted to
each, in that spirit OF comfy and coop
,s.f,
fultlllment OF the patriotic obligations
which rest upon as as faithful servants OF
the people The Jealous wAtchfulness of
our constituency rs great sand small sup
plements their sufrages, and before the
tribunal they establish every public ser.
want should be judged.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIoEs--No QUESTIONS OF
DIFTICUErY PENDING wrrH ANY
FOREIGN POWER.
1t is gratifying to announce that the reIs-
tions OF the United States with all foreign
powers continue to be friendly. Our posi-
ton, after nearly half century of success
full constitutional government. maintenance
of good faith in af OF our engagements, the
avoidance OF complications with other ma
tions, and consisteRttand arnicabie attitude
toward the strong md weak alike, furnish
proof Of political disposition which renders
There are no questions of diff
Guilty pending with any foreign government.
she ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT
has revived the long dormant question of
the Falkland IsiandsBIy claiming from the
United states indemnity for their loss. at
fributea 10 the action OF Che Commander of
the sloop lexington in breaking up pirat-
ical colony on those islands in 1851, and
their subsequent occupation by Great Brit
ain. In view of tue ample justification for
the act OF tile Lexington and the dereiict
condition of the islands before and after
their alleged occupation by Argentine col
onists, this Government considers the claim
as wholly groundteSs.
THE Kelly CASE.
4 question has arisen with the Government
of Austro- Hungary touching the represent
alton OF the United States at Vienna. Hav-
ing, under my constitutional prerogative,
appointed an estimable citizen OF unim-
pcachable probty and competency rs Minis"
ter to that Court the Governmental of Austro-
Hungary invited this Government to the
Gognizance of certain exceptions, based up
on alleg ations against the personal accepta~
bility of Mr. Kelly, the appointed Envoy,
asking that in view therea, the appoint
meni should be Withdrawn. The reasons ad
vanced were such as could not be acquiesced
in without violat on OF my oath of office
and the precopts of tie Con.
sstitution, since they necessarily involve a
limitation In favor Of n foreign Government
upon the right OF selection by the Execu-
tive, and required such an application of a
religious test MS qualification for Office
under the United states az would have re-
suited In the practical Acknowledgement of u
Sarge class of our citizens, and the abandon
ment OF i vital principle IN our Government.
The Austrp Hungarian Government finally
decided not to receive Mfr. Kelly as the envoy
of the United states, and the gentleman has
since resigned his commission leaving the
post vacant ihave MADE no new nonNna.
5ion, and the interests OF this Government
at Vienna are now in the care OF the Secrs-
tary of legation acting as Charge d'Affairs
ad interim.
CENTRAL AMERICA
Early in March lasb war broke out in Cen
NYaI NTYiaTica pnk!Shll$Ifyr the .akfnnnnf nf |
Guatemala to consolidate the several states |
into single government. In these contests
between our neighboring States tho United
states foreb1re to interfere actively, but
lent the aid OF thejr friendly offices i'm depre-
cation OF war to promote peace and concord |
among tho hcilgerentS, and by such counsel |
contributed importantly tn the preservation |
of tranquility In that locality.
Eiuergent les growing ont OF the civil war
in tho United States of Col0mbia demanded |
OF the Government, at the beginning OF this |
Administered 9n.s the employment OF an |
armed force TO fulfill its guarantees under
the Thirty fifth aFticicfof the treaty of 1916. |
an order to keep the transit open across the |
ISttlmus OF Panama.
DESTROYS % exercising only the powers OK
pressiy reserved to us by the treaty and |
mindful Of the rights of Colombia, the forces
sent TO the IRtiimus were instructed to con- t
zine tneiT action to positively and effica.
ciousty' preventing the transit and its nc.
cessOriGs from being interrupted or embar- |
rassed.H The execution of this delicate and |
responsible task necessarily involved police
control where the local authority was tem-
porarity powertess but always in mid of the
sovereignty OF Colombia. The prompt and |
successful fulliilment fits duty by this Gov |
eminent was highly appreciated by the Gov |
crnmCnt OF CoiOm1 q, and has been followed |
by expression of its satisfaction. High
praise is due 10 the officers aud men en- /
gagged in this service. The restoration of
peace on the istamus by the re, estabiish: /
Inent OF the constituted Government there |
being thus accomplished the forces of the |
United States were withdrawn.
The Colombian Government has expressed |
its willingness TO negotiate cow entiOns for /
the adjustment by arbitration OF claims by [
foreign citizens arising out of the destruc |
tion OF the city OF Aspinwall by the TnsuITec- |
tionary forces
The interest of the United States in q prac-
Arnrnaft