The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-08
THE MESSAGE.

the document:
THE MESSAGE.
To the Congress of the United States:
As representatives OF the people in
the legislative branch of the govern
ment YOU have assembled at time
when the strength and existence of our
free institutions and the fitness of our
citizens to enjoy popular rule have
been again made manifest. A political
contest involving mOmentouS conSe-
cuences, fraught with feverish appre-
hension, and creating aggressivenesS
so intense as to approach bitterness
and passion has been waged through
out 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 contem-
plate the peaceful obedience and manly
submission which have succeeded a
heated clash Of political opinions, we
discover abundant evidence of deter
mination on the part of our country
men to abide bv every verdict of the
popular will, and to be controlled at all
times by an abiding faith in the agen-
cies esta blished for the direction of the
affairs Of their government. Thus our
people exhibit a patriotic disposition,
who undertake TO make and execute
their laws faithful and unselfish serv-
ice 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-
cuirement 1 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
matters within federal control which,
by no means unimoortant, are more
proftablY discussed in departmental
reports I shall also further curtail this
communication by emitting minute
recital of an- minor incidents con-
nected with our foreign relations which
have heretofore found a place in eXecu-
tive messages, .,dt are now contained
in a report o. the secretary of state,
which is herewith submitted
At the outset of a reference to the
more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers. it would
afford me satisfaction if l could assure
the congress that the disturbed condi-
tion in Asiatic Turkey had during the
past year, assumed a less hideous and
bloody aspect and that either as a con-
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 Tor the protection of those /
exposed 20 the rage of mad bigotry
and cruel fanaticism, the shocking fea-
lures Of the situation had been miti- /
gated.
Instead, however of welcoming a /
softened disposition or protective in {
ksrVentiOn, we have been afflicted bv
continued and not unfreuuent reports
OF the Wanton destruction of homes
and the bloody butchery of men. wom-
en- and children, made martyrs to their
profession of Christian faith. While
none OF our citizens in Turkey have
thus far been killed or wolxded
though often in the midst of dreadful
scenes ot danger. their safety in the
future is no means assured. Our gov
eminent at home and our minister at
Constantinople have left nothing un-
done 10 protect our missionaries in
Ottoman TERRITORY. who constitute :
nearly all the individuals residing there
who have a right TO claim our protec-
ton on. the score of American citizen
ship.
Our efforts in this direction will not
be relaxed. but the deep feeling and
that have been raised among
our people ought not to so far blind
their reason as to lead them to de-
mand impossible things. The outbreaks
Of blind fury which lead to murder and
piIlage in Turkey occur suddenly and
without notice, and an attempt on our
part TO force such a hostile presence
there as might be effective for preven-