The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-12-12

10 the OF the United States:
AS representatives of the people in the
Legislative branch of their government
you have assembled at a time when the
strength and excellence of our free in
stitutions m the fitness of our citizens
to enjoy popular rule have been again
made manifest. A political contest in
volNing momentous consequences,
fraught with feverish apprehension,
and creating responsiveness so intense
as to approach bitterness and passion
has been waged throughout our land,
and determined by the decree of free
and Independent suffrage without dis
turbance of u tranquility or the least
sign of weakness in our national struc-
ture.
When we consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeed
ed a heated clash of political opinions,
we discover abundant evidence of a de-
termination on the part of our country
men to abide by every verdict of the
popular will and to be Centralized at all
times by an abiding faith in the agen-
cies established for the direction OF the
affairs of their government. Thus our
people exhibit a patriotic disposition,
which entities them to demand of those
who undertake 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 and confidence which the ac-
ceptance of public duty invites.
In obedience to a constitutional re-
quirement | hereby submit to the con-
gress certain information concerning
national affairs with the suggestion Of
such legislation as in my judgment is
necessary and eXpedient. To secure
brevity and avoid tiresome narration I
shall omit many details concerning mat
ters within federal control, which, by
no means unimportant, are more profit
ably discussed In departmental reports.
/ shall also further curtail this commu-
nication by emitting a minute recital of
any minor incidents connected with our
foreign relations which have heretofore
found a place in executive messages,
but are now contained in a report of the
secretary Of state, which is herewith
submitted.
Armenian Troubles.
At the outset of a reference to the
more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers, it would
afford me satisfaction if I could assure
the congress that the disturbed condi-
ton in Asiatic Turkey had, during the
past year, assumed a less hideous and
bloody aspect and hat either as a con-
sequence of the awakening of the Turk
ish government to The demand of hui
name civilization or as the result of a
decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty to
Interfere for the protection of those eX-
posed to the rage of mad bigotry and
cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however. of welcoming a soft
ened disposition or protective interview
ton. we have been afflicted by con-
tinued and not u%nfrequent reports 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 of danger,
their safety in the future is by no means
assured. Dur government at home and
our minister at Constantinople have left
nothing undone to protect our mission
aries in Ottoman territory, who consti-
tute nearly all the individuals residing
there who have a right to claim our pro-
lection on the score of American citizen
ship.
Our efforts in this direction will not
be relaxed, but the deep feeling and
sympathy hat have been aroused
among our people ought not to so far
blind 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 and without notice, and an at
tempt on u part to force such q hos
tile presence there as might be effective
for prevention or protection would not
only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
eminent. but would be regarded as an
interruption of their plans by the ma
tons 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 a measure OF
caution and to furnish all possible re-
lief and refuge in case of emergency
We have made claims against the Turk
ish government for the pillage and de-
structiGn Of missionary property al
Harpoot and Marash during uprisings
at these places.
Thus far the validity Of these de.
mands has not been admitted, though
u minister, prior to such outrages
and in anticipation of danger, demand.
ed protection for the persons and prop.
erty of Il missionary citizens in the
localities mentioned. and. notwithstand,
ing that strong evidence exists Of &C.
tual completely of Turkish soldiers III
the work of destruction and robbery
The facts as they now appear do no,
permit us to doubt the justice Of these
claims, and nothing should be omitted
to bring about their prompt settlement
A number of Armenian refugees hav.
ing arrived at our ports, an order has
lately been obtained from the Turkish
government permitting the wives anc
children of such refugees to join then
here. 1t is hoped that hereafter no OBJ.
stacle would be ~interposed to prevent
the escape of all those who seek t.
avoid the perils which threaten then
In Turkish domiaions.
Our recently appointed consul tc
Erzorum is at his post and d%ischargine
the duties of his office, though for som,
u~naccountable reason his formal exc
Iuator from the sultan has not been is
Gued. / do not believe that present som
Der facts in Turkey will long be per
mitted to offend the sight of Chrlsten
dom. 1t SO mars the human and en-
lightened civilization that belongs tt
the close of the nineteenth century tina
4 seems hardly possible that the earn
est demand of good people Throughout
this Christian world for its correctiv'
treatment will remain unanswered.
The War III Cuba.
The insurrection in 6'u!a still contin
ues with all its perplexities. 1t is diff
cult to perceive that any progress ha.
thus far been made towards the pacifi
cation of the island or that the situation
of affairs as depicted in my last annua
message has in the least improved. 1
Spain still holds Havana and the sea
ports and all the considerable towns
the insurgents still roam at will owe
Mt least two-thirds Of the island in coun
try If the determinations of Spain t.
put down the Instruction seems t
strengthen with the lapse of time, an
is eTinced by her unhesitating devotion
of largely increased military and nava
forces to the task, there is much reason
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