The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-12-12
ST. RAMEVlLE FBLCfAM LA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER r. 1885,
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
10 Congress Ct the United States.

- congress CT the United States.
AS representatives Of the people in the
legislative branch Of their government,
you have assembled al time when the
strength and excellence of our free in
situations and the fitness Of our citizens
to enjoy popular rule has again been
made manifest. A political contest in
VolVlnS Inomentous consequences
frauSht with feyer!sh apprehension and
creating asgressiveness SO intense as to
approach bitterness and passion, has
been Wagel Throughout cur land ana
determines by the decree Of free and iM-
dependent suffrage without disturbance
OF our tranquility or the least sign Of
weakness in cur constitutional struc-
turc. When We consider these incidents
and contemplate the peaceful obedience
ard manly submission which have sue
ceeded j heated clash Of political opin
ions. We discover abundant eviderco of
determination on tho part Of our coun-
trEmen TO abide by dhe verdict Of the
popular will and ije controlled at all
times by an abiding faith in the agen-
cies established 1or the direction OF the
affairs Of the government. Thus our
people exhibit a patriotic disposition
which entities them to den1a nd Of those
who undertake TO make and execute
the laws such faithful and unse!fish SER
Vice in their behalf as can only be
prompted BY q serious appreciation Of
4;
ceptance OF public duty involves The
above condition are hereby agreed to. y
ARMENIAN OUTRAGES.
At the outset OF q reference to the
more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers, it would
afford ne satisfaction if I could assure
the congress that the disturbed condi-
ton in Asiatic turkey had, during the
past yeoC, assumed a less hideous and
bloody aspect and that there, as con-
sequence Of the awakening OF the Tur-
klsh government to the demand Of hui
name civilization, Or as the result Of de-
cisive action upon the part Of great ma
lions having the right by treaty to in
terfere for the protection OF those ex-
posed to the rage Of mad biggotry ard
cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
of the situation had been mitigated. IN
stead OF the government affordinG
softened disposition or protective inter-
Ventlon. We have been affected by con-
tinued ard not infreQuent reports of the
WantOn destruction Of homes and the
bloody butchery Of men and women and
children made martyrs to their profess
sion OF Christian faith. While none Of
our citizens in Turkey have thus far
been killed or wounded. though often in
the midst Of dreadful scenes Of danger,
their safety in the future is by no
mean assured. Our government at
home and our minister at Constantino-
pie has left nothing undone to protect
our missionaries in the Ottoman terri
tory, who constitute all the individuals
residing there who have right to claim
our protection on the score Of American
citizenship. Our efforts in this direc-
ton Will not be relaxed. but the deep
feeling and sympathy that have been
aroused among our people ought not TO
SO far blind their reason and judgment
as to lead them to demand Impossible
things. The outbreaks Of blind fury
which led to murder and pillage in Tuc-
key, occur suddenly and without notice
and on attempt on our part to force
such hostile presence there as might
be effected for prevention or protection
wo;id not only be resisted by the Otto
man government but would be regard
ed as an interruption Of their plans by
the great nations who assert their ex-
elusive right to interfere, in their own
time and method for the security for
life and property in Turkey.
CUBAN RESURRECTION.
The insurrection III Cuba still con-
tinues with all its pcrpleXities. It is
difficult to perceive that any progress
has thus far been made towards the
pacification Of the island, or that the Sit
uation Of affairs as depicted in my last
annual message has in the least i'm
proved. Spain still holds Havana and
the seeports and all the considerable
towns. The insurgents still rove at
will over two thirds Of the inland coun-
try If the determination Of Spain to
put down the instruction seems but to
strengthen with the lapse of time, and
is evidenced by her unhesitating devo-
ton Of a largely increased military and
naval force to the task, there is much
reason to believe that the insurgents
have gained in point Of numbers
and character and resources, and are
none the less inllexble in their resolve
not to succumb without practically Sc
curing the great objects for which they
tok up arms. If Spain has not re-es-
tablished her authority, neither have
the insurgents, yet made good their IT,
tie to baoregarded as an independent
State. Indeed, as the contest has gone
on, the pretense that civil government
exists on the island, except so far as
Spain is able to maintain it, has been
practically abandoned. Spain does
keep on foot such a government more
or less imperfectly in the large towns
and their immediate suburbs, but that
exception being made, the entire coun-
try is either given over to anarchy or is