Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-12-17
CleY0land'S Message.

UlGE6i0llu D W0GDu6O'
10 the Congress Of the United States:
Your assembly is clouded by sense Of public
bereavement caused by the recent and sudden
death OF Thomas A. Hendricks, vice president or
the United States His distinguished puollc ser
vices, his complete iEtegTity and doyotlon 10
every duty, and bis personal virtues VIII ma an
honorable record in his country history Ample
aud respected proofs Ofthe esteem and confidence
IN whiah he was held by his fellow country men
were manife.ted by his election % utlice of the
most important trust ans highest dignity, aud AZ
length full Of years end h0hCrs. DC ngs been laid
at rest, amid universal sorrow and bereavement
Tho constitution which requires those CHOSEN
10 legisate for the ptoue 10 annually meet IN tie
discharge Of their soil nm rust also requires the
president % give TO CONGRESS information Of the
state of the universe and recommend 10 their con-
sideratiOn such measures as he shall deem ueceS-
sary and eXpedieut. At the threshold ~ a com
pliance with their constitutional directions ~ is
wen Tor us 20 bear no mHd that our Usefulness 20
the peoples interests viii bee promoted by c9n-
sgaut 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 expedent, the
responsibility for legislative action must aud
should rest upon those elected by the people 10
make these laws.
Contemplation OF the grave and responsible
functions assigned 10 the executive branches or
the government under the constitution, viii dis
speCtvs departments and their necessary indie
ueudeuce, and also the need for the exercise "
all the power intrustad 10 each in that spirit or
comfy and cooperation which is essential 70 the
proper fulhlmeut Of the patriotic obligations
which rest upon us as faithful servants ~ the
people, The jealous watchfuness OF our consttt-
ueuCss great and small, supplements their suiirr-
ages and before the tribunal they establish,
every public servant should b2 judged
10 rs gratifying 20 announces that the relations
OF the United States with all foreign powers, con
tnue 10 be friendly. Our position after nearly
4 century OF successful constitutional govern
ment maintenance OF good faith Ia all our en-
gsgements, the avoidance Or complications with
other nations, and consistent and amicabe etii-
tude toward the strong ami weak alike, furnish
proof Of political disposition which renders pro-
LESSONS oil good viii unnecessary There are no
questions Of difficulty pending with any foreign
government.
ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.
The Argentine government has revived the long
dormant condition OF the Falkland Islands by
claiming from the United States indemnity for
their loss attributed 20 the action Of the
commander Of the sloop Of war Lexington,
ia breaking up piraucal colony on uose
occupation by Great Britain. In view Of tue
ample justification for the act Of the Lexington
and the dlrelict condition Of the Islands before
and after their alleged occupation by Argentine
colonies. This government considers the claim
as wholly groundless
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Early In March last, war broke out IN Central
America caused 10y the attempt Of Qua
tamaIa 10 consolidate the several states into
single Government In the contest between our
ne'ghhoring states The United States forebore 10
interfere actively but senA the aid Of their friend
" offices ia depreciating war, and to promote
peace and concord among the belgerents And
by such counsel, contributed impartially to the
restoration Of tranquility In that locality,
AusrRo-uusoARY
The question has arisen with the government
of AustrO- Hungary, Touching the representa-
ton Of the United States at vienna. Having
under my constitutional prerogativs appointed
an estmable citizen OF unimp0achable probity
aud competency as minister at that court, the
government Of Austro-ilungary invited this gov
eminent 70 taFe coRuizanceO OF certain exceptions
based upon allegations against tho personal ac-
ceptability oe Mr.. Kelley the appointed envoy
as King that .in view thereof the appointment
should be withdrawn"
The reasons advanced were such as could not
be acQule6Ced Ia without violation OF my oath of
once ana tine pfecepts OF the constitution, since
they necessarily iuvOWed limitation in favor OF |
foreign government upon the right OF selection
10y the executive and required such an applca-
ti0n Of a religious test as qualification for Office
under tho United States as would have rOsultCd
In the practical Acknowledgement OF q large class
on our citiZetS and the abandonment of a vital
principle OF our government Tho Austro-liun'
Garan government finally decided not to receive
Mr. Kelley as the envoy az the United States, and
that gentleman has since resigned his commits
sion, leaving the post vacant / have made no
meut 90 Vienna are now In the care OF the secre
taIy Of the legation acting o. charge d alaires
al interim,
PANAMA WAR.
The emergencies growing out OF civil war In the {
United States OF Colombia demanded Of the I
Goyernrnent M The beyininp of this administra.
ton the employment Of an armed forced 70 full /
MI its guarantees under the 8Nh article or the !
treaty Of 1915, in order TO keep the transit open
across the lsthmus OF Panama DESTROYS OF /
exercising only the powers expressly reserved ~
us by the treaty. aud mindful OF the rights 90 |
Colombia the forces sent to the Isthmus were !
instructed "a coudne their actions so as to posi-.
lively and eillcaciously prevent the transit and [
its accessories from being interrupted or embar
rassed
The execution OF this delicate ana responsible |
task necessarily involved police control where 1
the local authority was temporarily poweress l
but always In aid OF the sovereignty OF Colon. /
ha. The prompt and successful tulhllment OF /
its duty by this government was highly Appre /
ciatei by the government Of Colombia, and (
has been followed by expression OF lbs satisfac. /
tiun. High praise Is due TO the officers and /
men engaged in this service The restoration |
of peace ON the lsthmus by the rc-estahlish. /
ment Of the constituted goyernu ant there being /
lhus accomplished, the forces OF the United F..
States were withdrawn.
Peuaiug these occurrences n question Of much /
Importance was presented hy DEGREES of Ike /
Colombian government -prorlaiWmg the closure |
Of certain ports then iu the HANDS OF the iusur
gerts and declaring vessels held by the revou- /
ZIONIST 10 be plraucal and liable TO capture 10y
any power To neither OF these propositions
could tho United States assent An effective
closure OF the ports not In tho possession OF the
government, but held by hostile partisaus could
Neither could the vessels OF insurgents AGAINST
the legitimate sovereignty De deemed hoStis
hnmuHi geHdf's within the precepts of nterna-
uonal law, whatever miyht be the definition and
penalty OF their acts under the municipal law OF
the state against whose authority they were In
revolt The denial by this government q the
On