Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

fore the people. 1t is somewhat lengthy,
n thing necessary in such documents.
The document 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 Mt times to think that our
country is isolated and fur removed from
the world The reading OF Presidential
message dspels 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 guarantee
ing the obligations, of every nature, 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
eminent. 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 says, "Our duty in the present
instructs us to address ourselves
mainly to the development of the vast
resources OF the great area committed
to our charge, and to the cultivation
OF the arts of peace within our borders,
though jealousy alert in preventing the
American hemisphere from being in
volved in the political problems and COM
plications OF distant governments" If n
trans-Isthmian canal or ship railway is to
be constructed, it should be for the bene-
fit of the world, and far removed from
the chance of domination by any one
single Power.
The message shows that the relations
of the Government to foreign Powers are
eminently satisfactory. This is so COM
mon thing with the United States that
the people fail TO realize its full signifi-
canoe. Even with China the relations of
the Government are most cordial,
although the treatment which the subjects
OF that country have received here during
the past few months has been such that
it might very easily have brought about
Pekin and the Government of Washing
ton. For this cordial relationship as
much credit is due China as the United
States. The reference to the Kelly affair
is dignified, and such as to receive the
appreciation OF all.
Among other matters we may mention
is that part OF the message which refers
to the naturalization laws, laws of which
advantage has too often been taken for
unworthy purposes, and without any in
tention on the part of those who take adj
vantage OF them of becoming bona fde
citizens. 1t is this that has broughtabout
the trouble in Germany over naturalized
Americans OF German birth. The natu-
ralization laws need amendment in vari-
GUS ways as pointed out by the President.
The matter OF extradition is also an
important one, and one to which atten-
ton should be given Immediately The
facility with which embezzlers and de-
iaulters escape punishment by trip
to Canada is scandal upon our
diplomacy. In ante-bellum days,
in the days when the country
was seething cauldron on ac-
count OF the slavery question,
Canada was haven of rest for the
colored refugee and an asylum for the
oppressed. To-day she is a place of
safety for the unworthy and the criminal.
Extradtion 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 favor
able consideration OF Congress. One
recommendation in particular is right
and timely We refer to the recommen-
dation that the duty on the paintings OF
foreign artists be removed. The policy
OF disseminating the appointment OF civil
ians TO lieutenancies in the army is wise
and proper. His discussion OF the silver
question is both thorough and from the
right standpoint, and the conclusion he
reaches in regard to 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 Il fuller appreciation of
the laws OF trade and commerce than al
most any other question. The question
very nearly approaches true science, and
to decide one way or the other requires
the most exact and logical reasoning, 1t
is the foremost question OF peace in all
commercial countries.
All subjects touched upon are ably
treated, and show breadth of view on
the part OF the President that gives great
hope for the future prosperity and welfare
OF the country, and shows that the coun-
try has not misplaced its confidence. 1t
shows the President to be the true sue
cessor oil the great men among his prede-
cessors. All who have filled the nlace