Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

As there has been considerable com.
ment upon and controversy over the
DEMOCRATS leader ON the Presidents
message. at the request of a number Of
friends we reprint it:
The Presidents message is at last before
the people. 1t is somewhat lengthy, thing
necessary in such documents. The docu-
ment is straightforward and statesmanlike,
and treats all subjects touched upon in a
most comprehensive manner; Americans, in
the peace and security of their prosperous
and happy homes, are apt at times to think
that our country is isolated and far removed
from the world. The reading of Presiden-
tial message dispels all such ideas, for then
we see that we are intimately connected with
the nations of the earth. From the strifes
and ambitions of the nations of the earth
we are happily isolated, and no greater
blessing can ever be vouchsafed the United
States than continuation of such isolation
President Cleveland has sought to impress
upon Congress and the country the wisdom
of continuing that policy which will save us
from "entangling alliances" To do this it
is not necessary that the Monroe doctrine be
abandoned or that it be so distorted as to
put upon the United States the burden of
guaranteeing the obligations, of every ma
ture, of distant and revolutionary countries.
The discussions over the Isthmus lines of
transit during the past year have given
rise to many false theories regarding the
rights and duties of the American Gov
ernment. The President has given no
encouragement to any such false notions
but he calls the people back to the true and
salutary doctrine of Monroe when he saws
"Our duty in the present instructs us to
address ourselves mainly to the development
of the vast resources of the great area COM
mltted to our charge, and to the cultivation
of the arts of peace within our borders,
though jealously alert in preventing the
American hemisphere from being involved
In the political problems and COMPLICATIONS
of distant governments" If trans-Isth
mian canal or ship railway is to be con-
structed, it should be for the benefit of the
world, and far removed from the chance of
dominion by any one single Power.
The message shows that the relations of
the Government to foreign Powers are emil
nently satisfactory. This is so common a
thing with the United States that the people
fail to realize its full significance. Even
with China the relations of the Government
are most cordial, although the treatment
which the subjects of that country have re-
celved here during the past few months has
been such that it might very easily have
brought about a rupture between the Gov
ernment of Pekin and the Government of
Washington. For this cordial relationship
as much credit is due China as the United
States: The reference to the Kiely affair is
digniied, and such as to receive the appro--
baton of all.
Among other matters we may mention is
that part of the message which refers to the
naturalization laws, laws of which adyan
tage has too often been taken for unworthy
purposes, and without any intention on the
part of those who take advantage of them of
becoming bona 1fde citizens 1t is this that
has brought about the trouble in Germany
over naturalized Americans of German birth.
The naturalization laws need amendment in
various ways as pointed out by the Presi-
dent. The matter of extradition is also an
important one, and one to which attention
should be given Immediately. The facility
with which embezzlers and defaulters escane
punishment by trip to Canada is a dis
grace to our diplomacy. In ante-bellum
days, IN the days when the country was
seethlng cauldron on account of the slavery
question:, Canada was haven of rest for |
the colored refugee and an asylum for the
oppressed. To-day she is place of safety |
for the unworthy and the criminal. Extra |
dition treaties should remedy this state of |
affairs. The recommendations in regard to |
the consular service are wise and timely, and |
the recommendations in regard thereto |
should receive the favorable consideration |
of Congress. One recommendation in par !
tcular is right and timely. We refer to the |
recommendation that the duty on the paint |
ings of foreign artists be removed. The |
policy of disseminating the appointment of |
civilians to ieutenancies in the army is |
wise and proper. His discussion of the sill |
yer question is both thorough and from the |
right standpoint and the conclusion he |
reaches in regard to discontinuance of an |
coinage of silver correct, as we |
look at the matter. 1t is knotty question. |
and one that requires more exact knowledge |
and fuller appreciation of the laws of trade |
and commerce than almost any other uues- |
ton. The question very nearly approaches
true science, and. to decide one way or the I
other requires the most exact and logical |
1t is the foremost question of |
peace in all commercial countries.
All subjects touched upon are ably treated;