Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-12-13
HARRISON'S FIRST.
His Message to the Fifty-First
Congress.
OPINIONS CONCISELY STATED.

To THE SENATE AND II c USE OF REPREsEN-
TATIvEs:
There are few transactions in the admins
tration of tine government that are even tenn
lpurarilv held in the confidence OF those
charged with the conduct of the public bust
ness. Every step taken is under the observa-
tion of an in elligent and watchful people.
The state of the Union is known from day to
day, and suggestions as to needed legislation
find an earl er voice than that which $ eaks
lin these annual communications of the presi-
dent to congress.
Goodwill and cordialty have character
lied our relations and correspondence with
other governments, and the year just closed
leaves few international questions of import
ance remaining unadjusted. No obstacle is
believed TO exist that can long postpone the
consideration and adjustment of the still
pending questions upon satisfactory and
honorable terms. The dealings of this gov
eminent with other states have been and
should always he marked by frankness and
sincerity over purposes avowed and our
methods free from intrigue. This cause has
borne rich fruit in the past, and it is our
duty as nation to preserve the heritage of
good repute which century of right dealing
with foreign governments has secured to us.
The Pan-American Conference.
1t is matter of high significance and no
less of congratulation that the first year of
the second century of our constitutional ex-
istence finds as honored guests within our
borders the representatives of all the indie
pendent states of North and South America,
met together lii elinest conference touching
the best method of perpetuating and eX-
pandng the relations of mutual interest and
friendiness existing among them. That the
opportunity thus afforded for promoting
closer international relations aid the in
creased prosperity of the states represented
will be used for the mutual good of all | cam
not permit myself to doubt Other people
will await with interest and confidence the
results to flow from so suspicious a meeting
of allied and, i'll large part, identical inter-
ests.
The recommendations of this international
conference of enlightened statesmen will
doubtless have the considerate attention of
congress and its cooperation in the removal
of unnecessary barriers to beneficial inter
course between the nations of America. But,
while the commercial results which it is
hoped will follow this conference are wor-
thy of pursuit and of the great interest they
have excited 1t is believed that the browning
benefit will be found in the better securities
which may he devised for the maintenance
of peace among all American nations, and
the settlement of all contentious by methods
that a Christian civilization can approve.
While viewing with inter st our national re-
sources and products, the delegates will
am sure, find a higher satisfaction in the
evidence of unselfish friendship which every
where attend their intercourse with our peo-
pie
The Marine Conference.
Another International conference having
great possibilities for good, has lately assem-
bled, and is now in session in this capitol
An invitation extended by the govern
ment, under the act OF congress Of July 8,
1888, to all maritime nations to send dele
gates to confer touching the revision and
amendment of the rules and regulations gov
erning vessels at sea and to adopt uniform
system of marine signals. The response to
this invitation has been very general and
very cordial. Delegates from twenty-six
nations are present i'll the conference, and
they have entered upon their useful
work with great zeal and with an evident
appreciation of its importance So far as
the agreement to be reached may require
legislation to give it effect the cooperation
of congress is confidently relied upon 1t is
an interesting. # not, indeed, an unprece-
dented, fact that the two international con-
ferences have brought together here the &C.
credited representatives of thirty-three
nations. Bolivia, Ecuador and Honduras
are now represented by resident ENJOYS of
the plenipo entiary grade. All the states of
the American system now maintain liplo-
matte representation at this capital
In this connection may he noted all the
nations of the western hemisphere with one
exception Send to Washington envovs ex
traordnary and minister plenipotentiary be
ing the highest grade acciadeted to this gov.
eminent. The United States on the con
trary, sends ENJOYS of lower grade to some
of our sister republics. Our representative,
in paraguay and Uruguay is minister resi-
dent while to Bolivia We send a minister
resident and consul general, in view of the
Importance of our relations with the states
Our Relations with China
have the attentive consideration their mag
nitude and interest demand. The failure o
the treaty negotiated under the administra
ton of my predecessor, for the further ant
more complete restriction of Chinese labo
immigration and with it the legislation o
the last session of Congress dependent there
on, leaves some questions open which con
gress should now approach in that wise ant
Just spirit which should characterize the re
latiOns of two great and friendly powers
While our supreme interests demand the ex
clusion of laboring element whc
experience has shown to be mcompat
ible with our social life, all step
To GONNA $ this imperative need should b
accompanied with the recognition of tn
claim of those strangers now lawfully amon
us to humane and just treatment. The aC
cession of the young Emperor of Chin
marks an era of progress and prosperity TO
the great country over which he is called t
rule
The Samoan Treaty.
The recent state of affairs in respect {
the Samoan islands is encouraging. The COZ
ference which was held in this city in TIL
summer of 1897 between the representative
of the United States, Germany and Grea
Britain having been adjourned because {
the persistent divergence of views which wa
developed in its deliberations, the subsequen
course of events in the islands gave rise
questions of serious character. On the 1t
of February last the German minister 8
this capital, in behalf of his government
proposed resumption of the conference q
Berlin. This proposition was accepted, 6
congress in February last informed.
Pursuant to the understanding thI
reached commissioners We're appointed by N
by and with the advice and consent of I'll
senate, who proceeded to Berlin, where til
conference was renewed. The deliberatior
extended through several weeks and resulte
in the conclusion of a treaty which will
submitted to the senate for its approval.
trust that the efforts which have been mac
to effect
An adjustment of this question will be pr,
ductive of the permanent establishment
law and order in Samoa upon the basis
the maintenance of the rights and interes
of the natives us well as of the treaty DO,