The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-12-09
Iited States:

To the Congress OF United states:
As representatives of the people in the
legislative branch of their government,
you have assembled at a time when the
strength and excellence of our free in
stitutions and the fitness of our citi-
Gems to enjoy popular rule have been
again made manifest. political contest
involving momentous consequences,
fraught with feverish apprehension, and
creating aggressiveness so intense as to
approach bitterness and passion, has
been waged throughout our land, and de-
termined by the decree of free and indie
pendent suffrage, without disturbance OF
our tranquility or the least sign of weak
ness in our national structure.
When we consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeeded
a heated clash Of political opinions, we
discover abundant evidence of a determi-
nation on the part of our countrymen to
abide by every verdict of the popular
WILL and to be controlled at all times
by an abiding faith i'm the agencies es-
tablished for the direction of the affairs
of their government. Thus our people eX-
hibit Il patriotic disposition which en-
titles them to demand of those who UNI
dertake to make and execute their laws
such faithful and unsclfsh service in
their behalf as can only be prompted by
a serious appreciation of the trust and
confidence which the acceptance of pub
lie duty invites.
The Eastern Question.
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 hide
Gus and bloody aspect. and that either
as a consequence of the awakening of the
Turkish government to the demands of
humane civilization or as the result of
decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty to in
terfere for the protection of those ex-
posed to the rage of mad bigotry and
cruel fanaticism. The shocking features
of the situation had been mtigated.
Instead however, of welcoming
softened disposition or protective inter-
venton, we have been afflicted by con-
tinued and not infrequent reports of the
wanton destruction of homes and the
bloody butchery Of men. women and
children, made martyrs to their profess
Hon 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 Constantinople have left nothing UNI
done to protect our missionaries in Otto
man territory, who constitute nearly
have right to claim our protection on
the score of American citizenship.
Several naval vessels are stationed in
the Mediterranean as a measure of eau
ton and to furnish all possible relief and
refuge in case of emergency. We have
made claims against the Turkish govern
ment for the pllage and destruction of
misisonc J. property at Harpoot and Mar
ash during uprisings at those places.
90 1T believe that the present SOM
tn, ,.,il1 ~.
mitted to offend the sight of Christen-
dom. 1t so mars the humane and en-
lightened civilization that belongs to the
close of the nineteenth century that it
seems hardly possible that the earnest
demand of good people throughout the
Christian world for its corrective treat
ment, will remain unanswered.
The Cuban Question.
The instruction in Cuba still continues
with all it's perpleXites. 1t is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made toward 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
Habana and the ports and all the con-
siderable towns, the insurgents still roam
at will over at least two-thirds of the
inland country. If the determination of
Spain to put down the instruction seems
but to strengthen with the lapse of time
and is eVinced by her unhestating devo-
ton 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 inflexible in their resolve not to
succumb, without practically securing the
great objects for which they took VI
arms.
If Spain has not yet re-established
her authority, neither have the insur-
gents yet made good their title to be
regarded as an Independent state. In
deed, the contest has gone on, the
pretense that civil government exists on
the island, except so far Spain is able
to maintain it, has been practically aban-
doned. Spain does keep on foot such a
government, more or less imperfectly, in
the large towns and their immediate sub
urbs. But, that exception being made,
the entire country is either given over
to anarchy or is subject to the military
occupation of one or the other party.
Were the Spanish armies able to meet
their antagonists in the open, or in
pitched battle, prompt and decisive re-
suits might be looked for and the i'm
mense superiority of the Spanish forces
in numbers discipline, and equipment
could hardly fail to tell greatly to their
advantage.
But they are called upon to face a FOE
that shuns general engagements, that car
choose, and does choose, its own ground
that from the nature of the country 1:
visible or invisible at pleasure, and tina
fights only from ambuscade and wher
all the advantages of position and mum
bers are on its side. In country wher,
all that Is indispensable to life in the wa,
of food, clothing and shelter is so easil,
otainable, especially by those born ant
bred on the soil, it is obvious that there
Is hardly limit to the time during which
hostilities of this sort may be prolonged
The spectacle of the utter ruin of al
adjoining country, by nature one of thu