New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-09
TEXT OF The, MESSAGE

TO the Congress Of the United states;
Your assembling is clouded by a sense of public
bereavement, caused by the recent and sudden
death of Thomas A. Hendricks, Nice-iTeslGeut of
the United States. His distinguished public
services, his complete integrity and devotion to
every duty. and his personal virInes Will find hon
orabie record III his country's history.
Ample and rope ted proofs OF the esteem and CON
fdeuce in whcI hc was held by his fellow
conntrymen were manif sted BY his election to
offices of the most important trust and highest
dignity: AMI at length, full of years and hOnOrs
he has been laid at amid universal sorrow ana
benediciion.
The Constitution. which requires those chosen to
legslate for the eople To annually meet IN the
discharge of their solemn trust a,so requires the
President u give to Congress Information o, the
state OF the Union aud recommend TO their consd
Grafton such measures Us he shall deem necessary
ANA eNpedient. AT the threshold of compliance
with these constitutional directions it is well for
US to bear in mind that our usefulness to the
peoples interests will be promoted by constant
appreciation OF the scope and CHI ,racter of our
respective duties as they relate to Federal legsa
ton. While the Executive may recommend such
measures as no shall deem eXpod ent, the response
billy Tor legislative act on must ami should rest
upon those selected by the people TO make their
laws.
Contemplation of tho grave and responsible
functions 3ned to the respective branches ol the
Government under tie Constitution Viii disclose
the partitions Of power between our respective
Departments and their ne e,sary Independence and
also the need for the exercIs" OF all the power
intrusIed to each. in that spirit OF comfy and
co operation which is essential to the proper iulhl-
ment OF the patriotic obi cations winch res. upon
us as faithil servants of the people
The leal0u, watchiunes5 of our constituencies,
great and small. supplements their sufrages. and
before the tribunal they establish every public
servant should be Judged
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
1t is gratifying to annuuncs that the relations of
the United states with all foreign Powers continue
to be friendly. Our position alter nearly Il century
OF successful constitutional government. main
teuanc. of good latin III all our engag mtnts the
avoidance of complications with other nations. and
orr consistent aud alncable attitude toward the
Strong and weak alike. furnish proof of political
disposition which renders professions of goodwill
Unnecessary There are no questions of difficulty
pending with any foreign Government.
The Argentine Government has revived the long
dormant question oil the Falkland Islands. by
claiming fIOm the United States indemnity Tor
their loss attributed to the action OF the com
nlander of the sloop-oi-war Lexington in breaking
IN a pirati,al colony those islands in 1881. and
view of the ample justifcatIo for the act of the
Lexington and the derect condition of the Islands
before and after their alleged occupation by Argcn-
tine colonsts this Government considers the claim
as wholly groundess
Question has arisen with tho Government of
Anstra-Ilungary touching the representation OF
the United States at Vienna Having nnder my
constitutional prerogatyo, appointed an estlnable
citizen of unimpeached probty and competence as
Minister ut that Court, the Government of Austria
Hungary invited this Government to take cog
nilanco Of certain exceptions. bias ID upon allega-
tons against the personal acceptable ty of Mr.
Kelley. the appointed envoy. asking that, in view
thereof tho appointment should be withdrawn.
Inc reasons advanced we're such could not be
acquiesced in, without violation of nv oath of
Office aud the pr, cepts of the Constitution. since
foreign Government upon the right OF selection by
the Executive and required such an application of
areigious test as qualification for Office under the
United States as would have resulted in the
practical dislranchisement of a large class of our
citizens and the abandonment of IL vital principle
in our Government. The Austro-H Hungarian Govern
ment finally decided not to receive Mr.. Kelley rs
the envoy Of the United States, and that gentleman
has since res gned his commission leaving the post
vacant. | have made new nomination and the
interests of this Government at Vienna are now in
the of the Secretary OF Legation. acting rs
charge dafiaires dd interim
Early in March last. war broke out in Central
America. caused by tine attempt of tiuatemala to
consolidate the several States into single Govern
ment In t-ese contests between our neighbOring
htates the United States forebore TO interfere
actively, but lent the aid Of tbef friendly offices in
depreciation Of war and to promote peace and