Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-12-11

i've Partisanship.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-The following
is the presidents message to congress
To the Congress of the United States: As
representative of the people in the legisla-
tive branch of their government you have
assembled at time when the strength and
excellence of our free institutions and the
fitness of Our citizens to enjoy popular rule
have been again made manifest. A political
contest involving momcntous consequences,
fraught with feverish apprehension and
creating aggressiveness so intense as to APP
proach bitterness and passion, has been
waged throughout our land and determined
by the decree of free and Independent suf-
frage, without disturbance of our tran
guilty 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 a
heated clash of political opinions we dis
cover abundant evidence of determination
on the part of countrymen to abide by every
verdict of the popular will and to be con-
trolled at all times by an abiding faith in the
agencies established for the direction of the
affairs of their government Thus our peo-
pie exhibit patriotic disposition which en-
titles them to demand of those who under
take to make and execute their laws such
faithful and unselfish service in their behalf
as can only be prompted by a serious appre-
citation of the trust and confidence which the
acceptance of public duty invites
In obedience to a constitutional require
ment. herein submit to the Congress GER
tain information concerning national al
fairs, with the suggestion of such legislation
as in my judgment Is necessary and expe-
dient. 10 secure brevity and avoid tiresome
narration, / shall omit many details con-
corning matters within federal control,
which, though by no means unimportant,
are more probably discussed in depart
mental reports. shall also further curtail
this communication by emitting a minute
recital of many minor incidents connected
with our foreign relations which have here
tofore found place in executive messages,
but are now contained in report of the
Secretary of State which is herewith
submitted
TURKEY.
At the outset of a reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, it would afford me sat
isfaction If could assure the Congress that
the disturbed condition in Asiatc Turkey
had during the past year assumed less
hideous and bloody aspect, and that either
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 mere bigotrJ
and cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, of welcoming softened
disposition or protective Intervention, we
sat l,x,c nd
frequent reports of the wantou destruction
of home and the bloody butchery 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 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 uudone to
protect our missionaries in Ottoman terri
tory, who constitute nearly all the individ-
uals residing there who have 4 right to
claim our protection on the score of Amer
lean citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not be re-
Taxed, but the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been aroused among our people
ought not to so far blind their reason and
Judgment as to lead them to demand impos-
sible things. The outbreaks of blind fury
which led to murder 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 pre-
yention or protection would not only be re-
sisted by the Ottoman government, but
would be regarded as an interruption OF
their plans to 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
Several naval vessels are stationed In the
Mediterranean as n measure of caution and
to furnish all possible relief and refuge in
case of emergency We have claims against
the Turkish government for the pillage and
destruction of missionary property at Har-
pool and Marash during uprisIngs at those
places. Thus far the validity of these de-
mands has not been admitted through our
minister. Prior to such outrages and in an
ticipation of danger we demanded protection
for the persons and property of our mission
ary citizens in the localities mentioned.
and Notwithstanding that evidence exists OF
actual completely of Turkish soldiers in the
work of destruction and robbery The facts
as they now appear do not permit us to doubt
the Justice of these claims and nothing Will
be omitted to bring about their prompt set
tlement. number of Armenian refugees
having arrived at our ports an order has
lately been obtained from the Turkish gov
eminent permitting the wives and children
of such refugees to join them here. 1t is
hoped that hereafter no obstacle will be in
terposed to prevent the escape of all those
who seek to avoid the perils which threaten
them in Turkish dominions.
Our recently appointed consul to Erzeroum
is at his post and discharging the duties OF
his Office, though for some unaccountable
reason his formal eXequator from the Sultan
has not been issued, / do not believe that the
present somber prospect in Turkey Will be