Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

As there has been considerable COM
ment upon and controversy over the
DEMocRAT's leader on the Presidents
message. at the request of number OF
friends we reprint it:
The Presidents message is at last before
the people. 1t is somewhat lengthy, q thing
necessary in such documents. The docu-
| ment is straightforward and statesmanlike,
and treats all subjects touched upon in
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 q 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
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
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
mitted 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 emf
nently satisfactory. This is so common n
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-
oeived here during the past few months has
been such that il might very easily have
Drought about 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 il
dignlted, and such as to receive the appro
baton of all.
Among other matters we may mention ia
that part of the message which refers to the
naturalization laws, laws of which advan
tage mas too often been taken for unworthy
purposes, and without any intention on the
part OF those who take advantage of them of
becoming bona fde citizens. Ii is this tint
mas Drought about the trouble in Germany
over naturalized Americansof German BIRTH.
The naturalization laws need amendment in
mt h.t ,in
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 escape
punishment by q trip to Canada is a dis
grace to our diplomacy. In ante-bellum
days, Ill the days when the country was n
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
ior io the unworthy and the criminal. Extra
ultlon treaties should remedy this state of
anairs. The recommendations in regard 10
the consular service are wise and timely and
the recommendations in regard thereto
should receive the favorable consideration
OF Congress. One recommendation in par
tlcular is right and timely. We refer TO the
recommendation that the duty on the paint
ings of foreign artists be removed The
policy OF dlscontinuing the appointment of
civilians to lieutenancies in the army ia
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 a discontinuance of an
enforced coinage of silver correct, as we
look at the matter, 1t is a knotty question.
and one that requires more exact KNOWLEDGE
and fuller appreciation of the laws of trade
and commerce than almost any other aues
ton. The question very nearly approaches
true science, and TO decide one way or the
other requires the most exact and logical
peace in all commercial countries.
All subjects touched upon are ably treated;