New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-04


lead us. And surely no enc who has taken upOi
himself the solemn obligation to support and pre-
serve the Constitution can find Justification OF
solace Tor dlsloyalty in the excuse that he wan
dcrcd IN search Of a better way to reach the pup
lie welfare than the Constitution offers.
What has been said is deemed not inap2roprlats
at time when. from ccnturys height we view
the way already trod by the American peopl, ana
attempt to discover their future path. -,
The seventh President OF the United States-rtne
soldier and statesman, and at all times the 1r!n
and brave friend of the peoplc,-in vindcation o.
his course as the protector of popular rights ana
the champion of true American citizenship, de-
clared
The ambition which leads me on is an anxious
desire and fixed determination to restore to tnl
people, unimpaired. the sacred trust they nave
c0niidcd 10 my cbargr. to heal the wounds OF tne
Constitution and TO preserve IL from further vlo,
latlon; to persuade my conntrymen so lar as
may, that IL is not in u splendid government sup
ported by powerful monopOles and arlst0cratlcal
establishments that they will find happiness, OF
their liberties protection, but IN PLAIN system,
void of pomp-protecting all and granting iavors
TO nOne-dspensing It's blessings like the dew
of heaven. unseen and uniclt, save IN the fresh
ness and beauty they contribute to produce. IL
is such a government that the genius oil our
people requires-such an one only under wnlch
our States may remain. for ages to come, united
prosperous and free
THE FISHERIES
In pursuance Of Constitutional provision re-
curing the President, from time to time, to give
TO the Congress information OF the state oil the
Union>I have the satisfaction TO announce that
the close of the year finds the United States IN
the enjoyment of domestic tranquility and at
peace with all the nations.
SINCE NV last annual message our foreign re-
lations have been strengthened and improved by
performance of international good offices and by
new and renewed treaties oil amlty, commerce anu
reciprocal eXtradtion of criminals ~ .
Those International questions when SUN avail
settlement are all reasonably within the domain
of amicablc negotiation. and there Is no existing
e,,hi NJ diSuufa between The United States ana
any foreign power that is not susceptible OF satls-
factory adjustment by frank diplomatic treat
ment. ,
The questions between Great Britain and the
United States relating to the rights Of American
fishermen. under treaty and iDtcrhatlonal comfy
in the territorial waters OF Canada and Newfound-
land, regret 10 say are not yet satisfactorily adj
justcd
These matters were fully treated in my message
to the Senate of February 20, 1888. together with
which "a convention concluded under my au-
thority with Her Maestys Government on the
18th Of February last, for the removal OF all
causes o. MISUNDERSTANDING was submitted by me
for the approval of the senate.
This treaty having been rejected by the Senate
/ transmitted a message to the congress, on 'hc
23d Of August last, reviewing the transactions
and submitting for consideration certain recon-
mendations for legislation concerning the impor-
tant questions involved
Spouse TO Il resolution of the Senate, again com
municated fully all the information IN my pos
session TO the action OF the government Oh
tween the Dominion and the United States, In
Guiding the treatment Of American fishing vessels
in the ports and waters OF British North America
These communications have all been published,
and therefore opened 10 the knowledge OF bOth
houses of Congress- although two were addressed
to the Senate alone.
Comment uDon, or repetition OF. their contents
would be sUperfiuous. and am not aware that
ANYTHING has since occurred which should be
added to the facts therein stated. Therefore, L
merely repeat as applicable 10 the present time,
the statement which will be found III my message
TO the Senate OF September IL !asb that since
March 3, So. no case has been reported 10 lhe
Department of State wherein complaint has bccn
made of unfricndlv or unlawful treatment OF
American fishing vessels on the part OF the
Canadian authorities. in which reparatlon WAS nor
promptly and satisfactorily obtained by the Unlted
States Consul-General at Halifax"
Having essayed. in the discharge OF my duty, to
procure by negotiation the settlement OF long
slant menace to the good relations OF the TWO
countries and continuing TO be OF OPINION that
the treaty Of February last. which iailed TO re-
ccive the approval of the Senate did supply II
satisfactory practical and final adjustment upon
basis honorable and Just TO both parties ol the
difficult and vexed question to which IT. related
and having subsequently and unaNaillngly recon-
mended other legislation TO Congress, which
hoped would suffice to meet the cXigency created
by the rejection of the treaty now again invoke
the earnest and immediate attention OF the Con-
grcss to the condition of this important question:
as il now stands before them and the country, and
for the settlement of which | am deeply solicltous
THE sAcKvJLLE INCIDENT
Neay the close of the month Of October last oc-
currences of q deeply regrettablc nature were
brought to my knowledge which made it ny
painful but imperative duty to obtain, with as
little delay as possible. a new personal channel
of diplomatic intercourse in this country with the
Government of Great Britain.
The correspondence in relation to this incident
will in due course be laid before you, and viii
disclose the objectionable conduct OF the Official
referred TO in his interference by advice and
counsel with the suilages OF American citizens
In the very crisis of the Presidential election then
near at hard. and also in his subsequent public
TO justify his action, supcradding I'M
pugnment of the Executive and Senate OF the
United States. in connection with important ques-
tons now pending in controversy between the two
Governments.
The offence thus committed was most grave,
involving disastrous possibilities 10 the good
relations of the United States and Great Britain,
constituting gross breach Of diplomatic privi-
lege and an invasion of the purely domestic affairs
and essential sovereignty Of the Government to
which the envoy was accredited.
Having first fulfilled the just demands of inter
national comfy. by aifordng full opportunity for
Her Maiesty's Government to act in relief OF the
situation considered proongation of discussion
TO he unwarranted, and thercupon declined TO
furth II recognize The diplomatic character OF the
person, whose continuance in such junction would
destroy that mut.;h confidence which is essential
to the gord understanding of the two Govern
nents, and was inconsistent with the welfare
lnJ seD-.eSpcct q. the Government Oh une Cnlueu
States
The usual interchange of communication has
since continued through her Majcsty's legation i'll
this city.
BEHRING SEA AND THE LAKES.
NY endeavors to establish by international Co
operation measures for the prevention of tts ex-
a. fur seals in Behrng Sea have not
been relaxed, and have hopes of being enabled
shortly 10 submit an effective and satisfactory
projet with the maritime powers
Tor the approval of the Senate.
The coastal BOUNDARY between our Alaskan pos
sessions AMI British Columbia, | regret to say
has not received tho attention demanded by It's
and which on several occasions here
tofore | have had the honor TO recommend to the
Congress
The admitted impracticsbility, If not imposs-
,ility, OF making an accurate and precise survey
md dema ckation of the boundary line, as II IS
Alaska was cedcj 10 the United States, renders
{ absolutely requisite, for the prevention OF