People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1896-12-10


read to congress today:
To the Congress of the United States:
AS representatives Of the people. in the
legislative branch Of their government,
TOu have assembled at a time when the
strength and excellence Of our free insti-
buttons and the fitness Of our citizens TO
enjoy popular rule have been again made
manifest. A political contest, involving
mOmentOus consequences, fraught with
feverish apprehension, and creating ag-
gressiveness so intense as to apprOachbitter-
ness and passion, has been waged through
out our land, and determined by the de-
cree of free and independent suffrage
without disturbance Of our tranquility or
the least sign of weakness in our national
structure. When we consider these Incl
dents and contemplate the peaceful Obedi-
ence and manly submission which have
succeeded heated clash of political Opin-
ions, we discover abundant evidence of a
determination on the part Of our country
men to abide by every verdict of the pOpu-
lar will and TO be controlled atall times by
an abiding faith in the agencies estab
lished for the direction of the affairs of
their government. Thus our people ex-
hibit a patriotic disposition, which entities
them TO demand of those who undertake
TO make and execute their laws such faith
full and unselfish service in their behalf as
can only be prompted by serious appre-
citation Of the trust and confidence which
the acceptance of public duty invites.
In obedience TO constitutional require
ment hereby submit to the congress GER
tain information concerning national af-
fairs, with the suggestion Of such legisla-
ton as in my Judgment is necessary and
eXpedient. To secure brevity and
avoid tiresOme narration l shall omit
many details concerning matters within
federal control, which by no means unim-
portant, are more profitably discussed in
departmental reports. | shall also further
curtail this communication by emitting a
minute recital of many minor incidents
connected with our foreign relations which
have heretofore found a place in executive
messages, but are now contained in re-
port OF the secretary of state, which is
herewith submitted.
The Turkish Troubles.
At the outset of a reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, it would afford me
satisfaction if could assure the congress
that the disturbed condition in Asiatic
Turkey had during the past year assumed
a less hideOus and bloody aspect, and that
either as a consequence of the awakening
OF the Turkish government to the demand
OF humane civilization, or as the result of
decisive action on the part Of the great ma
lions having the right by treaty to inter-
f2rn for tho &c !.
the rage Of mad bigOtry and cruel fanati-
ClSm, the shocking features of the situa-
ton had been mitigated.
Instead. however, Of welcoming a soft
ened disposition or protective Intervention,
we have been afflicted by continued and
not miWquent reports of the wantOn de-
struction of homes and the bloody butch
cry Of men, women and children, made
martyrs to their profession 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 means assured. Our government
at home and our minister at COnstanti-
nOple have left nothing undOne TO protect
our missionaries in Ottoman territory.
who constitute nearly all the individuals
residing there who have right to claim
our protection on the score of American
citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed; but the deep feeling and SYM
pathy that have been aroused among our
people ought not to so far blind their rea-
son and Judgment as to lead them to de-
mand impossible things. The outbreaks
Of blind fury which lead to murder and
pillage in Turkey occur suddenly and
without notice, and an attempt on our
part to force such hostile presence there
as might be effective for prevention or
protection, would not only be resisted bv
the Ottoman government. but would be
regarded as an interruption of their plans
by the great nations who assert their ex
elusive right to intervene in their own
time and method for the security of life
and property in Turkey.
Several naval vessels are stationed in the
Mediterranean as a measure of caution and
To furnish all possible relief and refuge i'm
case OF emergency. We have made claims
against the Turkish government for the
plllage and destruction of missionary
property at HarpOol and Marash during
uprislngs at those places. Thus far the
validity of these demands has not been
admitted, though our minister, prior TO
such outrages and in anticipation of dan
ger, demanded protection for the persons
and property Of our missionary citizens in
the localities mentioned, and notwith-
standing that strong evidence exists of
actual completely Of Turkish soldiers in
the work of destruction and robbery.
The facts as they now appear do not Der
mit US 70 doubt the Justice of these claims
and nothing will be omitted to bringabont
their prompt settlement.
A number Of Armenian refugees having
arrived at our ports, an order has lately been
obtained from the Turkish government
permitting the wives and children of such
refugees to join them here. 1t is hoped
that hereafter no obstacles will be inter
posed to prevent the escape of all those
who seek TO avoid the perilS which threaten
them in the Turkish dominions.
donOt believe that the present somber
prospect in Turkey will be permitted TO
offend the sight of Christendom. Ii so
mars the humane and enlightened ciyiliza-
'Tti0n that belongs to the close of the nine
rteenth century that it seems hardly posi-
NOAS e-nN NAAS ROOu DtODlG
through 'ut the christian world for its cor
receive treatment will remain unan-
-swered
The War in Cuba.
The instruction in Cuba still continues
with all its perplexities. 1t is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made towards the pacifcation of the
Island, or that the situation of affairs as
depicted in my last annual message has in
the least improved. If Spain still holds
Havana and the seaports and all the con
siderable towns the insurgents still roam
at will over at least two-thirds of thecoun-
try. If the determination of Spain TO put
down the instruction seems but TO
strengthen with the lapse Of time, and is
evinced by her unhesitating devotion of
largely increased military and naval forces
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 infexible
IN their resolve not TO succumb without
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