The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1896-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

1
strength and excellence OF our free in
slltutions ard the fitness OF cur citizens
20 enjoy popular rule has again been
made manifest. a political contest In
Volving mOmen.ous consequences
fraught with feverish apprehension and
creating agrressiveness So intense as 20
approach bitterness and passion. has
besn weged Throughout cur land and
determines by the decree OF free and in
dependent suffrage without disturbance
of our tranquility or the least Sign OF
weakness Ia our constitutional struc-
ture. when we consider these incidents
and contemplate The peaceful uhedience i
and manly submission whica naA s. sue
ceeded a heat gl4 Pa * Iollt cal epin- /
ions. We az cover abundant evideLca OF I
a determinau. on The part OF our coun-
trymen TO abide by the verdict Of the /
popular viii and be controlled at all /
times By an abiding faith In the agen-
tcies established Tor the direction OF the
affairs of the government. Thus our
people exhibit a patriotic di position
which entities them 10 demand or those
who undertake TO make and execute
the laws such faithful and unselfsh ser
Vice in Their behalf as can only be
prompted by a serious appreciation Of
the trust and confidence which the ac-
cep.ance Of public duty involves. The
above conditions are hereby agreed 20.
ARMENIAN OUTRAGEs.
AT the outset 81 reference O. the
more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers. It would
afford me satisfaction i'll could assure
the congress that the disturbed condi-
tlon IN Asiatlc-Turkey had. during the
past year, assumed a less hideous and
bloody aspect, and that there. as con-
sequence of the awakening OF the Tur
ksh government TO the demand OF hui
mane civilization. or as The result OF de-
cisive action upon the part OF great ma
lions having the right by treaty 10 in
terfere for the protection Of those ex-
posed to the rage OF mad biggntry and
cruel fanaticlsm the shocking features
of the situation had been mltigated. In
stead OF the government affording q
B0ftened disposition or protective inter-
vention, we have been affected by con-
tinued and not infrequent reports OF the
wanton destruction OF homes ana the
bloody butchery OF men and women and
children made martyrs 10 their profess
sion 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
mean assured. our government at
home and our minister At Constantine
pie has lefl nothing nndone TO protect
our missionaries Az ths Ottoman terri
turs, VINO e1nstiLute an The individuals
residing there who have right TO claim
our protection on the score Of American
citizenship. our efforts IN this direc-
tlorr viii not be relaxed, but the deep
feeling and sympathy that have been
aroused among our people ought not 70
so far blind their reason and judgment
as 10 lead them 10 demand impossible
things. Tie outbreaks OF blind fury
which led to murder and piilage in Tur-
key, occur suddenly and without notice
and an attempt on our part to force
such q hostile presence there as might
be effected for prevention or protection
would not only be resisted by The Otto
man government. but would be regard
ed as an interruption OF their plans by
the great nations who assert their ex-
elusive right to interfere, in their own
time and method for the security for
life and property In Turkey.
The insurrection In Cuba still con-
tfnues with all its perplexitles 1t Is
difficult 10 perceive that any progress
has thus far been made towards the
.paelncatlon OF the island. or that the sit
uatlon OF affairs as depicted IN my last
annual message has in the least i'm
proved. Spain stll holds Havana and
the seaports and all the considerable
towns. The insurgents still rove at
win over two-thirds Of The inland coun-
try. II the determination 0f Spain TO
put down the insurrectlon seems but to
strengthen with the lapse Of time. and
is evidenced by her unhesitating devo-
tion Of largely increased military and
naval force 10 the task. there Is much
reason 10 believe that the insurgents
have gained in point OF numbers
and character and resources, and are
none the less inhexlble in their resolve
not 70 succumb without practically Sc
curing the great objects for which they
tok up arms. II Spain mas not re-es-
tabllshed her authority. neither have
the insurgents, yet made good their IL
tie to be regarded as an Independent
State. Indeed, az the contest has gone
on. the pretense that civil government
exists on the island. except SO far as
Spain IS able 20 maintain IT. has been
practically abandoned. Spain does
keep on foot such government more /
or less imperfectly IN the large towns |
and their immediate suburbs. but that
exception being made, the entire coun-
try Is either given over 10 anarchy or IA
subject 20 the military occupation OF
one or the other party.
II Is reported. indeed, on reliable nu-
thority, that az the demand Of the COM
mander-in-chier of tie insurgent ar
my the reputative Cuban government
has now given up all attempt to exer-
else rs functions, leaving that govern 1
ment confessedly (what there is the best
reason for suD5slng Il always to have
been IN facO n government merely on
paper Were the Spanish armies able 10
meet their antagonists In the open or In /
pitched battle, prompt and decisive re-
suits might lie looked for, and the Inn
anensc superiority OF the Spanish forces
Hr numbers. discipline and equipment
could hardly fan TO tell greatly to their
ADVANTAGE. But they are called upon to
race a fos that can chose and does
chose its own ground. that from the na-
fure of the country IS visible Or invis-
ible al pleasure. and that fights only
from ambuscade and when all the adj
rantages az position and numbers are
on its Ade. In a country where all that
A indispensable 10 life A the way of
focd c.othins and shelter is 70 easily
oblainable. especially by those bern ana
bred On the son. II is obvious that there
I'M parily limit to the time during
which hostIuties cf this sort may Ne