Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-24
OUR PRESIDENT.
CLEvELAsDs MESSAGE on THE CANA
DIAN FIsHHRrgs TREATY.
The saeject Ably rrostsa Articulation
Thorough and Vigorous ssgsss,sd-
The Governments Duty.

snent anu adjustment OF the differences
existing between the United States and
Great Britain concerning the rights and
privileges OF American fishermen in the
ports snd waters Of British North Ame,i-
ga seems 10 justify q survey OF the con.
dit'on 10 which the pending question is
thus RENTED. The treaty upon this
subject concluded in 1878, through dis
agreements as TO the meaning al its
terms, has been fruitful source OF irri-
tAtion and trouble. Our citizens en-
ga9ed IN fishing enterprises in the
waters adIacent To Canada have been
subjected TO numerous vexntiOus in
reference and snDoyances, their vessels
have been seized upon pretexts which
appeared to 10 entirely iuadmissible.
aud they have been otherwise treated by
The CANADIAN authorities aud officials in
q manner sneXcusably harsh and oppres-
tive. This conduct has been justified by
Great Britain and Canada 10y the claim
that the treaty of 1918 permitted it. and
upon the ground that il was necessary to
the proper protection OF Canadian in
teresis We deny that the treaty agree
lnepts Justify these acte, and We further
MAINTAIN that, aside from any treaty
restraints OF disputed Interpretation.
the relative positions OF the United
States and Canada as near neighbors.
the growth OF our JOINT commerce.
ihe Development and prosperity Of both
countries which'amicsble relations surely
guarantee and, above all the libe.
1aiitv always extended by the United
iitai 10 the people OF Canada furnished
MOiiyes for kindness and consideration
higher aud better than The treaty cove
Isnts. While keenly sensitive to all
that was exasperating in the condition.
and 10y no. means indisposed 10 support
the Just complaints Of our injured citi-
'zens, / still deemed il my duty, for the
preservation OF the important Ameri-
Cln interests which were directly
IN, olycd and IN view Of all the
details Of the situation, to attempt
Joy negotiation TO remedy existing
wrongs and 10 finally terminate 10y fair
pnd Just treaty these overcoming
canses OF difficulty fully believe that
the treaty Just rejected by the Senate
was we'll suited TO the exigency, ADD that
Sis provisions were adequate for our se-
Curty IN future from veXatiOus incidents
aud .nr the promotion OF friendly neigh
icrhood and intimacy, without sscri-
'iciDg ia the least our national pride or
dignity. | Am quite conscious that
neither my opinion OF the value of the
rejected treaty nor the motives which
prompted It's negotiation are OF import
nnce ia the hght Of the Judgment Of the
Senate thereupOn. Bat II is Of import
nnce 10 note that this treaty has
beer rejected without any ap-
parent disposition on the part Of
The Senate TO alter or amend its
provisions, and with the evident iuten.
tIoA not wanting expression, that no ne
Rotiation should nj present be concluded
touching the matter at issue The CO.
operation necessary for the adjustment
III the long-standing national differences
with which we have 10 deal by methods
of conference Rnd agreement having thus
been declined, 1 am by no means dis
posed 90 abandon the interests and
rights of our people in the premises,
or 90 neglect their grievances, and
] therefore turn 20 the contemplation
OF plan of retaliation as a mode
which suli remains, Of treating the
situation ! am not unmindful Of the
grayitt Of the res possibility as assumed
ia adopting TINS line of CONDUCT. nor DO
tail 10 the least to appreciate It's serious
consequences 1t viii be impossible to
1ulure our Canadian uoighbOrs 10y retail
atory measures without inflicting some
damage upon our own citizens. This re-
rults from our proximity. our commuDi-
" interest. and the inevitable commin-
pbng OF business enterprises which have
leen developed by mutual activity. Plain.
is stated the poh'yoi national retaliation
maniiesily embraces the infection OF the
greatest harm upon those who have IN
Jurci rs with the least possible damage
10 ourselves There is also an evident
lr0priety as welt rs an invitation to
moral support found IN visiting upon
The offending party the same measure or
hind on treatment OF which We complain,
and ar lar as possible witnIn the same
l.ueS Ana above all things the plan
Of retaliation. II entered upon,
should be thorough aud vigorous. These
considerations lead Inc at this time TO in
woke tue aid and counsel Ot Congress
and It's support IN such further grant OF
power as seems to me necessary and de
Arable 20 render effective the policy
loye indicated. Congress has already
passed a law, which received executive
assent on the 3d day of March, 1887,
providing that 10 case the American
fishing yess Is being or visiting IN
waters on At any of the ports OF the Bri-
tish dominons Of North America should
Doe, on lately had be en-, deprived of rights TO
which they were entitled by the treaty or
law, or Il they were denied certain other
privileges therein specified, or vexed and
harassed IN the enjoyment of the same,
the President might deny 10 vessels and
tboir masters and crews of toe British
Dominiuns Of North America any en-
tmnce into the waters, ports, or harbors
of the United States. and also deny entry
into aoyport or place of the United States
Of any product of said Dominion. or
other goods coming from said Dominion
70 the United States.
While ! shall not hesitate upon tho
proper occasion 10 enforce this act, II
would seem 10 he unnecessary 10 suggest
that If such enforcement is limited III
such IA manner as shall result III the least
possible injury TO our own people the
elect would probably be entirely made
Qu0te to the accomplishment OF the pur-
pose DESIRED.
deem it my duty. therefore, to call
the attention Of Congress TO certain par
ticulars in the action of the authorities
OF tue Dominion of Canada, IN addition
10 general allegations already made, !
which appear to ~ il such marked con- (
trast TO the liberal aud friendly DISPOSE /
tion of our country as in my opinion to |
call for S1ch legislation as will upon !
principles already stated. properly sup
plemeDt the power 10 inaugurate retalia- !
ton already vested in the Executive.
Actuated by the generous and neigh /
bory spirit which has characterized our
legislation, our tariff laws have since 1
1866 bseu so far waived in favor of 4
Canads rs 10 allow. free Of duty, transit
across territory Of the United States Of I