The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-17
THE MESSAGE.
President Cleveland's First
Communication to
Congress.
He Urges a Suspension
of the Coinage OF
Silver.
Recommends a Reduction of the
Tariff on the NeCessa-
ries of Life.
Favors the Tehuantepec Ship
Railway Across the
IsthmuS.
A Plea for the Education and
Civilization of the
Indians.
Our Relations with Foreign
Powers in a Satisfac-
tory Condition
Cordial Relations with Mexico and
the Central American
States.
A Good Word for the Life Saving
Service-The Signal-Service
Bureau.
A Plea for the Education and
Civilization of the
Indians.
Our Relations with Foreign
Powers in a Satisfac-
tory Condition
Cordial Relations with Mexico and
the Central American
States.
A Good Word for the Life Saving
Service-The Signal-Service
Bureau.

TRIBUTE 20 MIR. HENDRICKS.
To the Congress Ot the United States: Your
assembly ia clouded by q sense of public
bereavement caused by the recent and sudden
death OF Thomas A. Hendricks, Vice President
OF the United States His distinguished public
services, his complete integrity and devotion 10
every duty. and his personal virtues, will find
honorable record in his countrys history. Ample
and repeated proofs of the esteem and conf
denoe in which he was held by his fellow-coun-
trymon were manifested by his election to Of
6ces of the most important trust and highest
dignity, and, mt length, full OF years and honors,
he has been laid at rest amidst general sorrow
and benediction.
coNsT1TUTIoNAL DUTY.
The Constitution which requires those chosen
60 legislate for the people to annually meet in
the discharge of their solemn trust, also re-
quires the President TO give to Congress infor-
mation of the state of the Union and recon-
mend TO its consideration such measures as he
shall deem necessary and expedient. At the
threshold of n compliance with these constitu-
tonal directions, il is well for us TO bear in mind
TINT our usefulness to the peoples interests will
be promoted by n constant appreciation of the
scope ana character of our respective duties Il
they relate To Federal legislation. While the
Executive may recommend such measures as
he Shall deem eXpedfent, the responsibility for
Legislative action must and should rest upon
those selected by the people 70 make their laws.
Contemplation Of the grave and responsible
functions assigned to the executive branches Of
the Government under the Constitution will dis
close the partition of power between our
epcctive departments, and their necessary indie
pendence, and also the need for the exercise Of
all the power entrusted to each, in that spirit of
comfy and cooperation which il essential To
the proper fulfllment Of the patriotic obliga-
lions which rest upon faithful servants of
the people. The jealous watchfulness of our
constituencies. great and small, supplements
their suffrage; and, therefore, in the tribunal
they establish every public servant should be
judged.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
NJ is gratifying 10 announce that the rotations
of the United States with all foreign powers
continue to DO friendly. Our position, after
nearly century OF successful constitutional
government maintenance of good faith in all Of
our engagements the avoidance of compiler
lions with other nations and consistent and
q. amicable attitude toward the strong and weak
alike, furnish proof of polsical disposition
which renders professions of goodwill unneces-
sary. There are no questions of difficulty pend
ling 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 sloop-of-war
Lexington in breaking up piratical colony on
those islands in 1881, ana their subsequent occu-
patton by Great Britain. In view of the ample
Justification for the act of the Lexington, and
derelict condition of the islands before and after
their alleged occupation by Argentine colonists,
this Government considers the claim as wholly
groundless.
AUsTRIA-HUNGARY.
The question has arisen with the Government
of Austria-Hungary touching the representation
of the United States ut Vienna Having under
my constitutional prerogative appointed an
timable citizen of unimpeached probity and
competence as Minister TO that court, the Gov
ernment of Austria-Hungary invited this Gov
eminent to the cognizance Of certain exceptions,
based upon allegations against the personal
envoy asking that in view thereof
the appointment should be withdrawn.
The reasons advanced were such as could not be
acquiesced in without violation of my oath Of
office and the precepts of the Constitution, since
they necessarily involve limitation in favor of
a;foreign Government upon the right of selec-
~ n
plcation OF a religious test IA qualification for
Office under the United States would have
resulted in the practical Acknowledgement of n
large class Of our citizens and the abandonment
of a vital principle of our Government. The
Austro-Hungarian Government finally decided
not TO receive Mr.. Kelley as the Envoy of the
United States, and that gentleman since re-
signal his commission, leaving the post vacant
have mhde no new nominations, and the inter-
ests of this Government at Vienna are now in
the care OF the Secretary of Legation, acting
as charge dahaires ad interim.
GUATEMALA
Early in March last war broke out in Central
America. cgused by the attempt of Guatemala
to consolidate 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 pro-
mote peace and concord among the belligerents,
and bytsuch council contributed Importantly to
the restoration of tranquility in that locality.
UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA.
Emergencies growing out OF civil war in tho
United States OF Colombia demanded of the
Government at the beginning OF the adminis-
fTntion Of the employment of armed force TO
fulfill it's guarantees, under the thirty fifth
article Of the treaty Of 1876 in order TO keep the
transit open across the Isthmus OF Panama
DESTROYS Of exercising only the powers express
iy reserved to us by the treaty, and mindful of
the rights Of Colombia, the forces sent TO the
fsthmus were instructed TO confine their action
10 positively and efiicaciously" preventing the
transit and its accessories from being Inter
rupted or embarrassed"
The execution of this delicate and RESPONSE
BILE task necessarily involved police control
where the local authority was temporarily pow
erless, but always In aid Of the sovereignty OF
Colombia. The prompt and successful fulfill
nlent of its duty by this Government was highly
appreciated by the Government OF Colombia
and has been followed by the expression of its
satisfaction. High praise is due TO the officers
and men engaged in this service. The restora-
tion Of peace ON the Isthmus by the re-establish-
n1ent OF tho constitutional Government there,
being thus accomplished the forces of the Unit
ed States were Withdrawn.
Pending these occurrences, n question OF
much importance was presented by DEGREES Of
che Colombian Government prociaiming the
closure of certain ports then in the hands of
insurgents, and declaring vessels held by the
revolutionsts 20 be piratical and liable to cap
cure by any Power To neither Of these propo-
sitions could tho United States assent An eff
fectjve closure Of ports, not in the possession
OF the Government, but held by the hos
tiles partisaDs, could not be recognized.
Neither could the vessels OF the insurgents
against the legitimate sovereignty be deemed
h0stos human Dc7ieris, within the prccepts of in
ternational law Whatever might be the defini-
ton and penalty OF their acts under the muni-
cfpal law of the State against whose authority
they were In revolt the denial by this Govern