Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-12-12
PRESIDENT 5 MESSAGE.

latlve branch OF their government you have as
sembled at time when the strength and ex-
cellence OF our free institutions and the fitness
OF our citizens TO enjoy popular rule nave oeen
volvinR momentous consequences, frauRht
with feverish apprehension and creating ag-
gressiveness so intense as to approach bitter
ness and 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 oil weakness
In our national structure.
When we consider these Incidents ana con-
template the peaceful obedience and manly
submission which have succeeded heated
clash of political opinions, we discover abund-
ant evidence OF determination on the part OF
our countrymen to abide by every verdict OF
the popular will. and to be controlled ut all
times .y an abiding faith In the agencies es-
tablished for the direction of the afIairs of their
government Thus our people exhibit pat
riotc disposition which entities them to de-
mand of those who undertake to make and
execute their laws such faithful and unselhsh
service in their behalf as can only be prompted
by serious appreciation OF the trust and con-
fdence which the acceptance OF public duty in
vite.
In obedience TO q constitutional requirement
herein submit to the congress certain infor-
nation concerning national affairs, with the
suggestion OF such legislation as in my judg-
ment is necessary and eNpedcnt To secure
brevity and avoid tiresome narration / shall
omit many details concerning matters within
federal control which, though by no means un-
important are more proftably discussed In
departmental reports; ! shall also further
curtail this communication by emitting a
minute recital of many minor incidents con-
nected with our foreign relations which have
heretofore found place in executive mes
sages. but are now contained in report OF the
secretary OF state. which Is herewith sub
mitted.
THE ARMENIAN QUESTION.
AT the outset of reference to the more Inn
portant matters affecting our relations with
foreign powers, it would AFFORD me satisfaction
II could assure the congress that the dis
turbed condition in Asiatic Turkey had during
the past year assumed u less hideous and
bloody aspect and that either as consequence
pfth Turkish
to the demands of humane civilization, or as
the result of decisive action OH the part OF the
great nations having the right by treaty to in
terfere for the protection of those exposed to
the rage of mad bgotry and cruel fanaticism
the shocking features had been mitigated. In
stead. however. Of welcoming softened dispo-
sition or protective intervention, we have been
afflicted by continued and not unfrequent re-
ports of the wanton destruction OF homes and
the bloody butchery of men. women and chill
dren, 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 ut home and our minister at
ConStnntinople have left nothing undone to
protect our missionaries in Ottoman territory,
who constitute nearly all the individuals re-
siding there who have a right to claim our pro-
lection on the score OF American citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not be re-
laxed, 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
outbreaks of blind fury which lead to murder
and pillage In Turkey occur suddenly and
without notice. and an attempt on our part to
force such u hostile presence there as might be
effective for prevention or protection would
not only be resisted by the Ottoman govern
ment but would be regarded as an interrupt
tion OF their plans by the great nations who as
sert 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 measure OF caution and to
furnish all possible relief and refuge in case of
emergency. We have made claims against the
Turkish government for the pillage and de-
struction OF missionary property at Harpoot
and MaraSh during uprisingS at these places.
Thus far the validity of these demands has not
been admitted though our minister. prior to
such outrages and in anticipation Of danger
demanded protection for the persons and prop
erty of our missionary citizens in the localities
mentioned, and Notwithstanding that strong
evidence exists OF actual completely OF Turkish
soldiers in the work of destruction and rob-
berry. The facts as they now appear do not per-
init us to doubt the justice OF these claims, and
nothing will be omitted to bring about their
prompt settlement.
number of Armenian refugees having ar
rived at our ports, an order has lately been OBJ
tuined from the Turkish government permit
ting. the wives and children OF such refugees to
join them here 1t is hoped that hereafter no
obstacle will be interposed to preyeat the es-
cape OF all those who seek to avoid the perls
which threaten them in Turkish dominions
Our recently appointed consul to Erzerum Is
at his post and discharging the duties of his
ONCE, though for some unaccountable reason
his formal exequatur from the sultan has not
been issued.
do not believe that the present somber pros
pect in Turkey will be long permitted to offend
the sight of Christendom. 1t so mars the hu-
name and enlightened civilization that belongs
to the close OF the nineteenth century that it
seems hardly possible that the earnest demand
OF the good people throughout the Christian
world for its corrective treatment will remain
unanswered
CUBAN AFFAIRS
The insurrection in Cuba still continues with
n Ito rfalA nAnt,ltN
that any progress has thus far been made to-
wards the pacihcation of the islands. or that
the situation of affairs as depicted in my last
annual message has in the least improved. II
Spain still holds Havana and the sea ports and
all the considerable towns, the insurgents still
roam at will over at least two-thirds of the in
land country. II the determination of Spain to
put down the insurrection seems but to
strengthen with the lapse of time, and is
evnced by her unhesitating devotion OF large
ly 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 none the
less infeXible in their resolve not to succumb b
-ithout practically securing the great objects
for which they took up arms. II Spain has not
yet re-established her authority, neither have
the insurgents made good their title to be re-
garded as an independent state. Indeed as
government exists on the island, except SO far
as Spain is able to maintain 1t, has been
practically abandoned. Spain does keep on foot
such government-more or less imperfectly-
In the large towns and their immediate sub
urDS, Dut tnat exception DelnB 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 re-
liable authority, that at the demand of the
commander-in-chief OF the insurgent army
the putative Cuban government has now given
up all attempt to exercise its functions, ieav-
Ing that government confessedly (what there
is the best reason for, supposing 1t always to
have been in facD government merely on
paper. Were the Spanish armies able to meet
their antagonists in the open, or in pitched
battle, prompt and decisive results might be
looked for, and the immense superiority OF the
Spanish forces In numbers, discipline and
equipment could hardly fail to tell greatly to
their advantage
But they are called upon to face a foe that
shuns general engagements that can choose
and does choose Its own ground; that from the
nature of the country is visible or invisible al
pleasure, and that fights only from ambush
and when all the advantages OF position and
numbers are on its side. In country where
all that is Indispensable TO life in the way OF
food, clothing and shelter Is so easy obtainable
especially by those born and bred on the soil
IL Is obvious that there Is hardly q limit to the
time during which 'hostilities OF this sort may
be prolonged Meanwhile. as in all cases OF
protri c.ed civil strife, the passions of the COM
batants growimore ana more infiamed and ex-