, 1889-12-05
THE MESSAGE.
Full Text Of the Presi-
dents Paper.
A CLEAR AND ABLE DOCUMENT,
Afording Complete Statement
of Political Affairs.
A GLANCE AT ALL The DEPARTMENTS.
Our R,elations With Foreign Coun-
tries--The Tariff and Other
Great Questions.
A GLANCE AT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS

WAsHrNGros, d. c., Dec. Q, 1880.
To the senate and house of represen-
tatiyes:
There arc few transactions in the ad-
ministration of the government that are
even temporarily held in the confidence
of those who arc charged with tho con-
duct of public business. Every step
taken is under the observation of an in
tclligent and watchful people. The state
of the Union is known from day to day,
and suggestions as to needed legislation
find an earlier voice than that which
speaks in these annual communications
of the president to congress.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Good will and cordiality have charac.
tcrized our relations and correspondence
with other governments and the year
past leaves few International questions
of Importance remaining to be adjusted.
No obstacle is believed To exist that can
long postpone the consideration and nd
iustmont of the still pending questions
upon satisfactory and honorable terms.
The dealings of this government with
other sta'cs have been and should al
ways be marked by frnnkness and sin.
cerity, our purposes avowed and our
methods free from intrigue. This course
has borne rich fruit in the past and 1t is
our duty as n nation TO preserve the host
age of good repute which century of
right doing with foreign governments
has secured to us,
THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS.
Ii is matter OF high significance and
no less of congratulation that the first
year Of the second century Of our con-
stitutional existence finds, as honored
guests within our borders, the represent.
atives of all the independent states of
in earnest conference touching the best
methods of pcrpetuating and expanding
the relations of mutual interest and
friendliness extended among them
That the opportunity thus afforded for
promoting closer International relations
and the Increased prosperity of the
states represented will be used for the
mutual good OF all can not permit my.
self to doubt. Our people will have in
terest and confidence In the results TO
flow from so auspicious a meeting OF
ests. The recommendations of this in.
ternotional conference of enlightened
statesmen will have the attention OF
congress and its cooperation in the re-
moval OF the unnecessary barriers to
beneficial intercourse between the ma
tions of America; but, while the com.
mercial results which it is hoped will
follow this conference are worthy OF pur-
su It, II Is believed that the crowninc
benefit will be found in the better secu
rites which may he devised for the
maintenance of peace between the
American nations and the settlement oi
all contentious by methods that
Christian civilization can approve.
While viewing with interest our nation
al resources and products, the delegates
will | am sure, find higher satisfaction
in the evidences OF unseliish friendship
which everywhere attend their inter
course with our people.
THE MARITIME CONFERENCE.
Another international conference hay
ing great possibilities for good has lately
assembled and 10 now in session in this
| capital. An invitation was extended by
this government, under the act of July
0, 1888, 70 all maritime nations to send
delegates 10 confer touching the revision
and amendment of the rules and regula-
tions governing vessels, and to adopt q
uniform system of marine sig
mails. The response to the invitation
has been very general and
very cordial. Delegates from twenty
nations are present In the conference
and thoy have entered upon their useful
work with great zeal and with an ardent
i .s..t.. .tE tV.... a.
as the agreement to be reached may re-
quire legislation to give il effect the co.
operation of congress is confidently re-
lied upon. II is an interesting aud un.
preCedented fact that the two interna-
tional conferences have brought here the
accredited representatives of thirty three
nations.
FOREIGN ENvoYs.
Bolivia, Ecuador and Honduras are
now represented at Washington by en-
voys Of the plcnipotcntiary grade. Those
states OF the American system now
maintain diplomatic representatives al
this capital. In this connection IL may
be noted that all the nations of the
! Western hemisphere, with one ex-
ccption, send to Washington envoys
extraordinary and ministers plenipo-
tentiary, being the highest grade ac-
corded TO this government. The United
states, ON the contrary, sends ENJOYS OF
| lower grade to some of our sister re-
! publics. Our representatives, in Para.
/ quay and Nicaragua are ministers resi-
| dent, while to Bolivia we send minister
resident and consul general. In view
| of the importance of our relations with
the states of the American system, oui
| diplomatic agents in those countries
! should be of the uni!orr, rank OF envoy,
extraordinary and ministers plenipo
tentary.
Certain missions were SO elevated l,y
the last congress with happy ciic I,
and recommend the completion o.
these thus began. They should be in
elusive also of Hawaii and Hayti, IL
view OF their relations to the American
system of states ! also recommend
that timely provision be made for ex-
tending to Hawaii an invitation to bt
represented in the International con
ference now sitting ut this capital.
INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONS.
The Relations OF the United State,
with Foreign Powers.
Our relations with China have hat