The Delta independent., 1888-12-11

plicant, but while our general pension laws
remain confused and imperfect, hundreds
of private pension laws are annually pass
ed which are the sources of unjust discrim-
ination and popular decentralization.
Appropriation bills for the support of the
Government are defaced by items and pro
visions to meet private ends and it is freely
asserted by responsible and experienced
parties that bill appropriating money for
public internal improvements would fail
to meet with favor unless it contained
more for local and private advantages than
for public benefit. These statements can
be much emphasized by asccrtainmcnt of
the proportion of federal Legislation which,
bears upon its face its private
character, or which upon examination de-
velops such a motive power.
MORE GENERAL DEVOTION TO PUBL GOOD.
And yet the people want and expect from
their chosen representatives such patriotic
action as will advance the welfare OF the
entire country, and this expectation can
only be answered by the performance OF
public duty with hunsclfish purpose Our mis-
sion among the nations of the earth and our
success in accomplishing that which God
has given the American people TO do, re
quire of those entrusted with the making
and execution of our laws perfect devotion
above all things to the public good. This
devotion will lead us to strongly resist all
impatience at constitutional limitations Of
federal power, and to persistently check
this increasing tendency to extend the
scope of Federal Legislation into the domain
of State and local Jurisdiction upon the plea
of subscribing the public welfare
STANDING BY THE CONSTITUTION.
The preservation of the partitions be
tween proper subjects of federal and local
care and regulation is of such Importance
under the Constitution, which is the law of
our very existence that no consideration:of
cXpcdiency or sentiment should tempt Us to
enter upon doubtful ground. We have un-
dertaken to discover and proclaim the rich
est blessings of !. free government with the
Constitution as our guide. Let US follow
the way il points out Let us have faith
that it will not mislcad US. Surely no one
who has taken upon himself the solemn ob-
legation to support aud preserve the Con
stitution can find satisfaction or solace for
disloyalty in the excuse that he wandered
and disobeyed in search Of a better way to
reach the public welfare than the COusti-
tuition offered.
QuoTISG An INDUSTRIOUS PREDECESSOR.
What has been said is deemed not inap
propriate at n time when, from a ccntury's
height we view the WAY already trod by the
American people, and attempt to discover
their future path. The seventh President
OF the United States, the soldier and states
man, and all the time the IrTn and brave
friend of the people. in yindication of his
course as the protector of the popular
rights and the champion Of true American
citizenship declared: The ambition
which leads me on is an anxious desire and
fixed determination to restore 20 the peo-
pie unimpaircd the sacred trust they have
coniided TO my charge, TO heal the wounds
OF the Constitution and to preserve il from
further violation, TO persuade my country
men, so far as may. that il is not in
splendid Government supported by power
ful monopolics and arlstocratical establish
mcnts that they will find happiness or their
liberties protection, but in plain system,
void Of pomp, protecting all and granting
fayors TO none, dispensing its blessings
| like the dcws Of heaven, unseen and unfclt,
save in the freshness and beauty they con
tribute TO produce, that the genius Of our
| pcople requires such AS one only under
which our States may remain for ages TO
come united, prosperous and free-n
AT PEACE WITH rHE WORLD.
In pursuance of constitutional provision,
rcluirin., tho President from time to time
,o give 10 the Congress information of tho
state of the Union, / have the satisfaction to
announce that the close of the year finds tho
United States in the enjoyment OF domestic
tranquility and NJ pcace with all nations.
since my last annual message our foreign
relations have been strengthened and i'm
proved by the performance of intcruHtiuual
good offices, and by new and renewed trca-
ties of aTnity, commerce and the reciprocal
c.tradition of criminals.
Those international questions which still
awaits settlement, are all reasonably within
the domain of amicable negotiation. and
there is no existing subject of dispute DC
tween the United States and any forCiEu
power that is not as succeptable of satiSfac-
tory adjustment by frank diplomatic treat
ment.
THE fIsHKRIEs DISPUTE.
The questions between Great Britain and
tho United States relating to the rights OF
American fishermen under treaty, and 10
International comfy in the territorial waters
of Canada and Newfoundland, / regrc. 10
M nj rflx rfsf, tod Th.a,
matters were fully treated in my message TO
the Senate of February %, 1SSs, together
with which a convention, concluded under
my authority with Her Majesty's Govern
ment on the 18th of February last, for the
removal of all causes of misunderstanding.
was submitted by me for the approval of the
Senate.
This treaty having been rejected by the
Senate, submitted n message to the Con-
crcss on the I'D of Angus; last, rovicwinl:
the transactions and submitting for consid-
Grafton certain recommendations for lcgis-
lation concerning the important questions
involved. Aftorward, on the 18th of Sep
tembcr, in response to resolution of the
Senate, again communicated fully all the
information in my possession Us TO the ac-
tion of tho Government of Canada affecting
the commercial relations between the Do
miniun and the United States, including tho
treatment of American fishing vessels in the
ports and waters of British North America.
The communications have all been published
and therefore opened to the knowledge of
both houses of Congress, although two were
addressed to the Senate alone.
NO SHw CONDITIONS THEREIN.
JCommcnt upon repetition of their con-
tents would be supertluous, and am not
aware that anything has since occurred
which should be added to the facts hcrcin
stated, therefore l merely repeat as applica-
bic to tho present time, the statement which
will be found in my message to the Senate
Of September L. last: "That since March l,
1887, no case has been reported to the De-
partment of State where complaint has been
made of the uufricndly or unlawful treat
mcut of American fishing vessels on tho
part of the Canadian authorities for which
rcpara.ion was not promptly and satisfac-
torily obtained by tho United States Consul
General at Halifax.
HE REJKCTEp rRRATy.
Having essayed in the discharge of my
duty to procure by negotiating tho settle
ment of a long standing cause of dispute TO
remove u constant menace to the good rela-
Al.