Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-08

WaSnlnS ton, II. u, Dec. f.-IHe liiSl
day OF the second session of the Fifty
fourth congress presented nc remarkable
features There were seventy-one sena-
tors in their seats and eighteen absentees.
The Presidents annual message was read
as follows:
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Congress of the United States:
AS representatives of the people in the
legislative branch of their government,
you have assembled at q time when the
strength and excellence of our free in
stitutions and the fitness of our citizens
to enjoy popular rule have been again
made manifest.
political contest involving moment
Gus consequences, fraught with feverish
apprehension, and creating aggressive
ness so intense as to approach bitterness
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 ma
tional structure.
THE POPULAR WILL.
When we consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeeded
a heated clash of political opinion, we
discover abundant evidence of a deter
minaton 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 es-
tablished for the direction of the affairs
of their government. Thus our people
exhibit a patriotic disposition which en-
titles them to demand of those who un-
dertake to make and execute their laws
such faithful and unselfish service in
their behalf as can only be prompted by
a serious appreciation of the trust ana
confidence which the acceptance of public
duty involves.
MANY DETAILS OMITTED.
In obedience to a constitutional require
ment. | herein submit to the congress
certain information concerning natlonal
affairs, with the suggestion or Such legis-
lation as in my Judgment is necessary
and expedient. To secure brevlty ana
avoid tiresome narration, 1 shall omit
MANY details concerning matters within
federal control which, though by no
means unimportant, are more proHtapiy
discussed in the departmental reports
I shall also further curtail this commu-
nication by omitting minute recital Oh
many minor incidents connected with our
foreign relations which have heretofore
found a place in executive messages, out
are now contained in a report OF the sec
retary of state, which is herewith SUD-
mitted.
THE TROUBLE IN TURKEY.
At the outset of a reference to the more
important matters affecting our relatlons
with foreign powers, it would afford me
satisfaction If l could assure the con-
gress that the disturbed conditions IN
Asiatic Turkey had during the past year
assumed a less hideous and bloody as
pect, and that either as consequence
@f he. n
ment to the demands of human civiliza-
ton or as the result of decisive action ON
the part of the great nations having the
right by treaty to interfere for the pro.
lection Of those exposed to the rage or
mad bigotry and cruel fanaticism, the
shocking features Of the situation had
been mitigated. Instead of this govern
naent welcoming a softened disposition
or protective intervention we have peen
afflicted by continued and not infrequent
reports of the wanton destruction OF
homes and the bloody Dutchery or 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 dreadfui
ecenes of danger. their safety in the fu-
ture is by no means assured our gov
ernment at home and our minister at
Constantinople have left nothing undone
TO protect our missionaries in the QUO
man territory who constitute the lndl-
yiduals residing there who have right to
claim our protection on the score Oh
American citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not
be relaxed; but the deep feeling ana
sympathy that have been aroused among
our people ought not to too far blind their
reason and judgment as to lead them TO
demand impossible things. The out
breaks of blind fury which lead to muir
der 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 nrotection would not only be resisted
by the Ottoman government. but would
be regarded as an interruption or their
plans by the great nations who assert
their exclusive right to intervene In their
own time and method for the security OF
life and property in Turkey.
CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY.
Several naval vessels are stationed In
the Mediterranean as measure OF eau,
tion to furnish all possible relief and
refuge in case of emergency. We have
made claims against the Turkish govern
ment for the pilage and destruction OF
missionary property at Harpoot ana
Marash during the uprisings at those
places.
Thus far the validity of these demands
has not been admitted, though our min
lister, prior to such outrages, and in an
ticipation of them, demanded protection
for the persons and property of our mis-
sionary citizens in the localities mention
ed. and, Notwithstanding that strong
evidence exists of the actual completely
of the Turkish soldiers in the work of de-
struction and robbery the facts, as they
now appear. do not permit US to doubt
the justice of these claims. and nothing