The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-08
To DIE Congress Of the United States:

icSiS'ublNc Dritucn Oh Gnelr government,
| you have assembled ut time when the
| STRENGTH and excellence of our free insti-
tutiuns and the fitness of our citizens to
enjoy popular rule have again been maze
manifest n political contest involving
moiaentous consequences fraught with
| ieverish approximations and creating ag-
| Sresslvcness so intense us to approach
| bitterness and passion, has been wnged
| throughout the 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.
che Peoples VIII.
When we consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful Obedience and
! manly submi ssion which have succeeded
heated clash of political opinions, we
| discover abundant evidence of determi-
nation on the part of our countrymcn to
abide by every verdict OF the popular will,
and 10 he controlled ut all times by an
abiding faith in the agencies cstabl shed
for the direction of the affairs of their
Government. Thus our people exhibit Il
patriotic disposition which entities them
to demand OF those who undertake to
make and execute their laws such fsith-
full and unsellish service in their behalf
as can only be prompted by il serious APP
P4NS''''Oii va tlIC commence
which the acceptance of public duty in
vtcs
IL Obedience to 1t constitutional require
ment herein submit to the Congress
certain information concerning national
affairs, with the suggestion OF such legis-
lation az, in my judgment, is necessary
and cXpedent. 20 secure hrcvity and
avoid tresomc narration | shall omit
many details concerning matters within
federal control, which,; though by no
means unimportant, are more pvoitablv
discussed in department reports. Shall
also further curtnil this communication
by emitting II minute recital of many
Incidents connected with our foreign re-
lations, which have heretofore found Il
place III executive messages, but are now
contained in II report of the Secretary of
State, which is herewith submitted.
Turkeys Hideous Condition
AT the outset of reference to the
more important matter affecting cur re-
lations with foreign powers, it would
afford me satisfaction if / could assure
the Congress thai the disturbed condition
in Asiatic Turkey had during the past
year assumed II less hideous and bloody
aspect, and TINT either as IL consequence
OF the awakening of the Turkish govern
ment TO the demands of ''hnmane civiliza-
Oh the part of.the great nations having
the right by treaty TO interfere for the
protection of those exposed ITO the rage
of mail bGotry and cruel fannticism, the
shocking .ettureS of the situation had
been mitgated. Instead, however, OF
welcoming IL softened disposition or pro
tective intervention, we have been afflicted
by continuous and not unfrequent re-
ports OF the wanton destruction of homes
and the bloody butchery OF men, women
and children, made martyrs to their pro.
fession 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 and OF dam
ger, their safety in the future is by no
means assured. Our Government Mt
home and our minister ut Constantinople
have left nothing undone to protect our
missionaries in Ottoman territory. who
constitute nearly all the individuals re-
siding there who have IL right to claim
our protection on the score OF American
citizenship. Our efforts in this direction
Will not be relaxed, but the deep feeling
and sympathy that have been atoused
among our people ought not to so far
bind their reason and Judgment as to
lead them to demand impossible things.
The outbreaks OF blind fury, which lead
to murder and pillage in Turkey occur
suddenly aad without notice, and an at
tempt on our part to force such a hostile
presence there rs Might be effective for
prevention or protection would not only
be resisted by the Ottoman government,
but would be regarded as IN interruption
of their plans by the great nations who
assert their exclusive right to intervene
III their own time and method for the
Sc curity of life and property in Turkey
Several naval vessels are stationed in
the Mediterranean as IL measure of eau
ton and to furnish all possible relief and
refuge i'll case of emergency
Claims FOR indemnify
We have made claims against the Tur.
kish government for the pilage and de-
struction of missionary property at Har.
poot and Nlarash during the uprisings at
those places. Thus far the validity of
these demands have not beea admitted,
though our minister, prior to such ont.
ages and in anticipation of danger, de-
manded protection for the persons and
property of our missionary citizens in
the localities mentioned, and notwith.
standing that strong evidence exists Of
actual con- plicity of Turkish soldiers in
the work of destruction and robbery,
the facts as they now appear do not per.
nit us to doubt the justice OF these claims
and nothing will be omitted to bring
about their prompt settlement.
y number Of Armenian refugees lave
arrived NJ our ports, and an order has re.
Gently been obtained from the Turkish
government permitting the wives and
/ children OF such refugees to join them
here. 1t is hoped that hereafter no OBJ
staclc will be intcrposed to prevent the
escape OF all those who seek to avoid the
perils which threaten them in Turkish