The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-12-16
PRSIDBNT'S MESSAGE.

To the concress Of the I'm ted Starea:
AS representatives of the people, in the
legislative branch Of their government,
you have assembled at time when the
strength and excellence of our free institu-
tons and the fitness Of our citizens to en-.
Joy popular rule have been again made
manifest. A political contest involvi' !,
momentous consequences fraught WI 4
feverish apprehension and creating ag-
gressiveness SO intense as to approach bit
terness and passion has been waged
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
structure.
When we consider these Incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeeded at
clash of political opinions, we discover
abundant evidence of a determination on
tie part Of the countrymen to abide by
every verdict of popular will and to be
controlled at all times by an abiding faith
in the agencies established for the direc
ton of the affairs of their government:
thus the people exhibit a patriotic DISPOSE
tion which entities them to demand OF
those who undertake to make and execute
their laws such faithful and unselnsh
service in their behalf as can only be
prompted by a serious appreciation OF
trust and confidence which the acceptance
of public duty invites.
In obedience to constitutional require.
ment, herein submit to the congress Ger.
tain inform alton concerning national at.
fairs with t..e sugges don OF such lcgisla.
ton as in MY Judgment is necessary end
expcdient. To secure brevity and avoid
tiresone narration, shall omit many de.
tails concerning matters within Federal
control, which though by, no means unin-
portant, are more prof1tably discussed i'll
departmental reports. l shall also T.
Their curtail this communication by omit.
ting minute recital of many minor in Il.
dents connected with our foreign relations
which heret ofore found u. place in exe"u.
1--WE messages, but are now contained il. a
report of the secretary of state. which il
herewith submitted.
Affairs In Turkey.
At the outset of reference to the more
important rratters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, it would afford Inc
satisfaction fl could assure the congress
that the {. turDed condition in Asiatic
Turkey had during the past year, as
sumed less hldcous ard bloody aspect
and that either as 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 interfere for the protection OF
those exposed to the rage of mad bigoiry
and cruel fanaticism, the shocking feat.
ures of the situation had been nitigated.
Instead, however, of welcoming softened
disposition or protective intervention, we
have been afflicted by continued and not
unfrequcnt eports OF the wanron destruc-
tion of homes and the bloody butchery OF
men, women and children, made martyrs
to their pre- Aession of Christian faith.
While none of our citizens in Turkey
though often in the midst of dreadful
scenes of danger, their safety in the future
is by no me ms assured. Our government
at home IN Our minister at Cons tantino-
pie have k nothing undone to protect
our missionaries in Ottoman territory,
who constitute nearly all individuals e
siding there who have right to claim our
protection on the score of American t;ti.
zenship. Ourefforts In this direction will
not be relaxed.
We have made claims against the Turk
1sh government for the pillage and de-
struction of missionary property ut Har-
pool and Marash during prisipgs at those
places Thus far the validity of these de-
mands has not been admitted. The facts
as they now appear do not permit us to
doubt the justice of these claims, and
nothing will be omitted to bring abou,
their prompt settlement.
A number Of Armenian refugees have ar
rived at our ports. and an order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish govern,
ment permitting the wives and children OF
such refugees to join them here, and it is
hoped this order will be perpetuated.
do not believe that the present sombre
predicament in Turkey will be long per
mitted to offend the sight OF christendom
1t SO mars the human and enlightened civ.
ilization that belongs to the close of the
nineteenth century that 1t seems hardly
possible that the earnest demand Of good
people thro ughout the christian world foi
It's corrective treatment will remain I'M
answered
Insurrection In Cuba.
The instruction in Cuba still continues
With all its perplexities. It is difficult I'll
perceive that any progress has thus far
been made towards the pacification 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.
ut will over at least twO-thirtls of the island
country. II the determination Of Spain to
put down the insurrection seems but ia
strengthen with the lapse of time and is
evidenced 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 nevertheless inflexible in their re-
solve not to succumbe without practically
securing the great objects for which they
took up arms.
Spain has not yet reestablished- her All.
thority, nel6her have the insurgents yet
made good their title to be regarded as an
independent state. Indeed, as the contest
has gone on, the pretense that civil gov.
eminent exists on the island, except SO far
as Spain Is able to maintain it, has been
practically abandoned. Spain does keep
On foot such government, more oy
less imperfectly, in the large towns and
their immediate suburbs. But, that ex'
ception being made. the entire country is
either given over to anarchy or Is subject
TO the military occupation of one or the
other party.
1t is reported, indeed, ON reliable author.
ity, that at the demand of the commander.
in-chief of the insurgent army the puta-
tive Cuban government has now given all
attempt to exercise it's functions, leaving
that government confessedly what there
is the best reason for supposing it always
to have been in fact) government merely
on paper. Were the Spanish armies able
to meet their antagonists In open
or in pitched battle, prompt and
decisive results might be looked for, aud
the immense superiority Of Spanish forces
in numbers, discipline and equipment
could hardly fail to tell greatly to their ad-
vantage. But they are called upon to face
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