The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-12-17

| Hp~
To The Congress of the United States:
As representatives of the people in the
legislative branch of their government.
vnu have assembled at Il time when the
strength and excellence Of our free insti-
;utions and the fitness of our citizens 20
enjoy popular rule have been again made
manifest. A political contest involving
monentouS consequences fraught with
apprehension. and creating aggressive
ness 80 intense rs to approach bitterness
and passion. has been wagcd throughout
our land. and determined by the decree
of free and independent suffrage. without
disturbance of our tranquility or the least
sign of weakness in our national struc-
tire.
When we consider these incidents, and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
marly submission which have succeeded
a heated clash of political opinions, we
discover abundant evidence of Il deter
mination 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 in the agencies establish
cd for the direction of the affairs of their
government. Thus our people exhibit a
patriotic disposition which entities them
TO demand of those who undertake to
make and execute their laws such faith
ful and unscltish ~serSice in their behalf
as can only be prompted by n serious ap.
probation of the trust and confidence
which the Acceptance of public duty in
vitps.
In obedience to Il constitutional require
ment | herein 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.
Relations with Foreign Powers.
At the outset Of Il reference to the
more important matters affecting our re-
lations with foreign powers it would
afford me satisfaction if | could assure
the Congress that the disturbed condition
in Asiatic Turkey had during the last
year assumed n less hideous aspect. and
that either as n consequence of the awak-
ening of the Turkish Government to the
demand of humane civilization. or as the
result of decisive action on the part of
the great nations having the right by
treaty to interfere for the protection of
those exposed to the rage of mad bigotry
and cruel fanaticism. the shocking fea-
turcs of the situation had been mitiSatcd.
Instead. however. of welcoming Il soft
ened disposition or protective intcrven-
ton. we have bcen afflicted by continued
and not infrcqucnt reports of the wantOn
destruction of homes and the bloody
butchery of men. women and children,
made martyrs 10 their profession of Chris
tian 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 as
sured. Our government at home and our
minister ut Constantinople have left moth
Ing undone TO protect or missionaries
in Ottoman territory, who constitute
nearly all the individuals residing there
who have a right To claim our protection
OF the score of American citizenship. Our
efforts III this direction will not be re-
Taxed. but the deep feeling and sympathy
thar have been aroused among our people
ought not to SO far blind their reason and
judgment as to lead them to demand i'm
possible things.
The Cuban Rebellion.
The insurrection in Cuba still contin-
yes with all its pcrplcxities. 1t is diff
cult to perceive that any progress has
thus far been made towards the p~acitica-
ton of the island or t:,at the situation Of
affairs as depicted in my last annual mes.
sage has in the least improved. If Spain
still holds Havana and the seaports AMI
all the considerable towns, the insurgents
still r,nn N : will .No. ~ ln,.t %,,, tb;.J,
of the inland country. II the determine
ton of Spain 20 put down the insurrec-
ton seems but To strengthen with the
lapse of time, and is eviDca1 by her I'M
hesitating 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 num-
bers and character and resources. and
4 tre one the less inflexible in their re-
bAolve not to succumb without practically
securing the great objects for which they
took up arms If Spain has not yet re-
established her authority. neither have
the insurgents yet made good their title
to be regarded as an independent state.
The spectacle of the utter ruin of an adj
joining country, ~ nature one Of the most
fertile and charming on the globe, would
engage the serious attention OF the gov
nme and the people of the United
States in any circumstances In point
OF fact. they have Il concern which
is by no means Of Il wholly sentimental
or philanthropir character. 1t lies SO nea.
TO US as to be hardly separated from o.
territory. Our actual pecuniary intc' =.
III 1t IS second only to mai Of the, n
and Government of Spain. /.4ZB
Il