The advocate., 1896-12-09
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
President Cleveland Reviews the Work Of
the Various Department Of Government.

WASHINGTON, Dec. THE Fifty.
Fourth congress assembled for the short
session at noon to-day and soon after
committees from the house and
senate waited on the president and in
formed him that they were ready to
receive any communication he might
have to make and the president then
sent the following communication:
To the Congress of the United States
AS representatives Of the people in the legis-
lative branch of their government you have as
sembled at a time when the strength and ex-
cellence of our free institutions and the fitness
of our citizens to enjoy popular rule have been
again made manifest. A political contest In
vOlving momentous consequences fraught
with feverish apprehension and creating ag-
gressiveness so intense as to approach bitter
ness and passion, has been waged throughout
our land and determined by the decree OF free
and independent suffrage without disturbance
of our tranquility 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 heated clash OF political opinions
we discover abundant evidence OF determi-
nation on the part OF our cOuntrymen to abide
by every verdict Of the popular will and to be
controlled 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 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 confidence which the acceptance
OF public duty invites In obedience to a con-
Stitutional requirement. herein submit to tbo
congress certain information concerning ne
tiOnal affairs, with the suggestion OF such leg
tslation as in my judgment is necessary and
expedient. To secure breVity and avoid tire
Some narration, 1 shall omit many details con-
cerning matters within federal control which,
though by no means unimportant. are more
prohtably discussed in departmental reports.
1 shall also curtail this communication by
emitting minute recital OF many minor Incl
dents connected with our foreign relations
which have hitherto found place In executive
messages but are now contained in a report OF
the secretary OF state, which is here with sub
mitted.
The Armenian Question.
At the outset OF reference to more impor-
Gant matters affecting our relations with foreign
powers IL would afford me satisfaction il I
COulu assure the congress gnaC the disturbed
condition OF Asiatic Turkey had during the
past year assumed less hideous and bloody
aspect and that either as a consequence OF the
awakening Of the Turkish government to the
demands OF human civilization, or as the re-
suit 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 bigotry and cruel fanaticism, the
shocking features Of the situation had been
mitigated Instead, however, OF welcoming
softening disposition or protective interVen-
tion, we have been afflicted by continued and
not unfreQuent reports Of the wanton destruc-
tiOn Of homes 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 gov
ernment at home and our minister at Constan-
tinople have left nothing undone to prcSect our
missionaries In Ottoman territory. who consti-
tute nearly all the individuals residing there
who have right to claim our protection on
the score OF American citizenship
Several naval vessels are stationed in the Med
iterranean as q measure Of caution and to fur
nish 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 az Harpool
and Marash during uprisings at those places.
The TnsurrectlOn In Cuba
The insurrection in Cuba still continues with
All its perplexities Il is diflcult to perceive
chat any progress has thus far been made to-