Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-10


lands annual message was sent to Con-
gress and read in both houses to-day. Its
full text is as follows:
To the Congress of the United States:
As representatives of the people in the
legislative branch of their government,
you have assembled at u time when
strength and excellence of our free insti-
tutions and fitness of our citizens to enjoy
popular rule have been again made mani
fest. A political contest involving momen-
tous consequences fraught with fevcrish
apprehension, and creating aggressivcncss
50 intense ms to approach bitterness aud
passion, has been wnged 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
m;rrly submission which have succeeded
heated clash of political opinions, we
discover abundant evidence of deter
mination on the part of our conntrymen
10 abide by every verdict of the popular
will, and tide controlled at all times by
an abiding faith IN the agencies cstab-
lshed for the direction of the affairs of
their government.
Thus our people exhibit patriotic dis
position which enables them to demand of
those who undertake to make and execute
their laws such faithful service in their
behalf as can only he promoted by SER
ious appreciation of the trust and conf
dence which the acceptance of public duty
invites.
In obedience to constitutional require
mcnt | herein submit to the Congress GER
tain information concerning national
Affairs with the suggestion of such lcgis-
lation as in my Judgment is necessary and
expedient. To secure brevity and avoid
tircsome narration | shall omit many de-
tails concerning matters within Federal
control, which though by no means unim-
portant are more proiitably discussed in
department reports. ! shall also further
curtaiI this communication by emitting a
minute recital of many minor incidents
connected with our foreign relations which
have heretofore found II place in executive
messages, hut are now contained in re-
port of the Secretary of State, which is
herewith submitted.
THE ARMENIAN TROUBLES.
At the outset of a reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, it would afford me
satisfaction II ! could assure the Con-
gress that the disturbed condition in
Asiatic Turkey had during the past year
assumed a less hidcous 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 TO
by treaty 10 interfere for the protection
of those exposed TO the rage of mad
higOtry and cruel fanaticism, the shock
ing features of the situation had been
mitigated.
Instead, however, of welcoming a soft
cned disposition or protective intervention,
we have hcen afflicted by continued and
not unfrequent reports of the wantOn de-
strueton 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 mi,lst of dreadful
scenes of danger, their safety In the future
is by no means assured. Our government
at home and our minister nj Constanti-
nople have left nothing undone to pro-
tect Onr missionaries in Ottoman terri
tory, who constitute nearly all the indi-
viduas residing there who have right
w uNE Ull tit sNuIt VI
American citizenship.
Efforts in this direction will not he re-
laNed; hut the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been aroused among our people
ought not so far blind their reason and
judgment as TO lead them to demand i'm
possible things. The outbreaks of blind
fury which lead to murder and pillagc In
Turkey occur suddenly and without no
tIce. and an attempt on our part to force
such u hostile presence there might as
well he effective for prevention of or pro-
lection would not only be resisted by the
Ottoman government, but would be re-
Earded rs 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 II measure of eau
tion and to furnish all possible relief and
refuge in case of emergency. We have
made claims against the Turkish govern.
ment for the pillage and destruction of
missionary property at IIarpoot and
Marash during uprisings at those places
Thus far the validity of these demands
has not been admitted, though our min
lister prior to such Outragcs and in antici
patton of danger demanded protection fol
the persons and property of cur mission.
AIRY citizens in the localities mentioned
and notwithstanding that strong evidence
exists of actual completely of Turkish
soldiers in the work of destruction and
robbery, the facts us they now appear
do not permit us to doubt the justice OF
these claims, and nothing will be omitted
to bring about their prompt settlement
A number of Armenian refugees having
arrived nj our ports, nn order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish govern
ment permitting the wives and children ol
such refugees 10 join them here. 1t il
hoped that hereafter no obstacle will b(
intcrposed to prevent the escape of al
those who seek TO avoid the perils whicl
threaten them In Turkish dominions.
Cur recently appointed consul to Err
zerum is at his post and discharging the
dnties of his office, though for some unac
countahlc reason his formal eXequatol
from the Sultan has not been issued.
do not believe that the present sombcl
prospect in Turkey will he long permitted
10 offend the sight of Christendom. i
so marsIthe humnne and enlightened civ
illzation' that belongs to the close of tll'
nineteenth century, that it seeins hardl,
possible that the earnest demand of goot
people throughout the Christian world fol