The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-10

- WAL cS Ae1Cas Az
ing or hesitancy in the light OF the obi
cation this government owes TO Itself. to
the people who have confided to it the
protection of their interests and honor,
and 10 humanity.
sure OF the light. keeping free from
all ofense ourselves. actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations.
moved neither by passion nor selfishness,
the government will continue Its watch
full care over the rights and property of
American citizens and will abate none of
its efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies a peace which shall be honora-
bic and enduring. If il shall hereafter
appea to be a duty imposed by our OBJ
legations to ourselves. to civilization and
humanity. to intervene with force, 1t
snail be without fault on our part, and
only because the necessity for such &C
ton will be so clear as to command the
support and approval Of the civilized
world"
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
The president next takes up the sub
ject of the of Hawaii. He re-
fers to this subject because the senate
has made public the treaty now pending.
and legislation is required to settle man.
details OF the eventual union. Should an
nexation be accomplished. as he believes
it should be. Rapidly reviewing the ar
gument he has heretofore made in favor
OF the president says
If the treaty is confirmed as every
consideration of dignity and honor re-
quires, the wisdom of congress will see
to it that, avoiding abrupt assimilation
of elements perhaps hardly yet fitted to
share in the highest franchises of citi-
Zenship, and, having due regard to the
geographical! conditions, the most just
provisions for self rule in local matters
with the largest political liberties as an
integral part Of our nation will be ac-
cOlde to the HaWaiianS. No less is due
to a people who, after nearly five years
of demonstrated capacity to fulfill the
obligations of self-governing statehood.
come of their free will to merge their
deStinieS in our body polite"
OF the dispute W Japan and Ha-
wall, growing out of the labor immigra-
ton, the president says:
THE issue is now in a satisfactory
stage of settlement by negotiation. This
government has not been invited to me-
diate, nor has it sought to intervene, eX-
cept to evince its kindly disposition to-
wards a speedy, equitable and honorable
settlement. 1t is also gratifying to learn
that Japan is no longer ~apprehensive
through annexation, of the loss or i'm
nairment Of her privileges, but places
confidence in the ~uprightness of this Civ
ernment and it's purpose, to deal with all
possible Interior questions in the broad
est spirit of friendliness."
CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLICS.
! The president next refers to the de-
clination Of Nicaragua to receive Min
lister Merry, because of the conpact
creating the greater republic Of Central
America. lie SAID ne cOulO not aCCTeult
Mr.. Merry to the diet, because the APP
preparation Jaw did not permit it. Mean
while Mr.. Baker, the present minister at
Managua, Nicaragua. has been directed
to present his letters of recall. Mr.. w.
Godfrey Hunter is likewise situated as
to Guatemala and Honduras. Guatemala
is not a member of the greater republic.
but Honduras is, and Should the latter
/ decline to receive him, he will await in
: structions.
The president makes only the briefest
reference to the Nicaragua canal as a
subject of large Importance to our coun-
part of the people. He says that the
last commission is now making it's in
vestigations and, when he transmits his
report to ngress he will make further
suggestions on the subject.
INTERNATIONAL RIMETALLISM.
Coming to the question Of an interna-
tional coinage agreement, the president
states that the special ENJOYS represent
ing the United States in the effort to Sc
cure such an agreement. have been dill
gent in their efforts to obtain the coop
Grafton of European countries. but up to
this time have not been able to secure
an agreement contemplated by their
mission. The gratifying action of France
in joining this country in the effort is
regarded as an assurance that we are
not alone among the larger nations OF
the world in the desire to reach some
practical solution Of the problem. Of the
L VI UllC llCSOlA1lIOAlos liC Pl "a
says:
Our special ENJOYS have not made
their final report, as further negotia-
tons between the representatives Of this
government and the governments of 9th.
er countries are pending and in contem-
plation. They believe that doubts which
have been raised in certain quarters re-
specting the power OF maintaining tn
stability of the parity between thu
metals and kindred questions may yet "
SOLVED by further negotiations. Mean
while il gives me satisfaction to state
that the special ENJOYS have already de
deal with the subject, and 1t is to b,
earnestly hoped that their labors ma,
result in al. international agreemen
which will bring about recognition o
both gold and silver as money upon sucl
terms and with such safeguards as will
secure the use Of both metals uron
basis which shall work no injustice 4
any class of our citizens
RECIPROCITY.
Turning to the subject of reciprocity
the president says that he has appointe,
John a. kaSson. of Iowa. as a specia
commissioner TO undertake the negotia
tons. under the terms Of the tariff &C;
He says:
with several governments, both Euro
pean and American. II is believed tina
by a careful exercise Of the powers con
ferred by that act, some grievances o
"a OAA &--A III Xix countries III w
mutual trade relations may be either re
moved or largely al,eviated. and that III
volume of our commercial exchange
may be enlarged. with advantage 10 bot
contracting parties.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
Most desirable from every standpoint
Of national interest and patriotism is tn
effort to extend our foreign
To this end our merchant marine shout
be improved and enlarged. We should d
nryr fr,1 shave n hn ~rx ~-.7o ~
the world. We do not dc il now. W
should be the laggard no longer. The in
feriority OF our merchant marine is jus:
ly humiliating to the national pride. TT
government by every proper constitu
means should aid in making GU
ships familiar visitors at every CONNER
cial port of the world. thus opening u
new and valuable market to the SUI
plus products Of the farm and hi fax
tory"
THE SEALING QUESTION.
Only a brief reference Is made to Ii
negotiations that have been in progres
to secure further protection for seal III