The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-12-05
The Presidents Message,

chiefly In It's Official statement OF many |
facts which have for months been |
matters of newspaper publication and
public discussion. The administra-
TONS policy in respect of all matters
OF prominence has been established.
The public was awaiting no new devel-
opment of the presidential mind, no
oracular utterance as to the duty OF the
government of the United States in
any impending crisis. The document
must necessarily deal chiefly with de-
tails, and these present slight oppor-
tunity for rhetorical phrase or inn
pressive discourse.
The message opens with strong
contrasting of the United States of
1900 with the republic of 1900. On
every hand, at the beginning OF the
last session of the Fifty-sixth Congress,
ending the century, is the evidence Of
individual and national prosperity and
growing proof of the strength and in
creasing power for good of republican
institutions. The republic was never
so strong, because never 80 strongly en-
trenched in the hearts Of the people, as
at this period of it's existence. Popular
government has demonstrated,in its 124
years of trial here, its stability and Sc
curity, and its efficiency as The best in
strument of national development and
the best safeguard of human rights.
The wonderful growth of the nation is
thus set forth:
When the Sixth Congress assembled
in Nov. 1900, the population of the
United States was 5,30S,4S it is now
76,304,799. Then we had 16 States;
now we have 45. Then our territory
consisted of 900, $50 square miles; it is
now 3,4S6 ,595. Education, religion and
morality have kept pace with our ad-
vancement in other directions, and
vile extending its power the govern
ment has adhered to its foundation
principles and abated none of them in
dealing with our new peoples and pos
sessions. A nation so preserved and
blessed gives reverent thanks to God
and invokes his guidance and the con-
tinuance of his care and favor.
The Chinese disturbance is treated
at great length. The policy of the
United States was clearly announced
and scrupulously carried out. That
policy is thus stated:
The policy of the government of the
United States is to seek solution
which may bring about permanent
safety and peace to China, preserve
Chinese territorial and administrative
entity, protect all rights guaranteed to
friendly powers by treaty and interna-
tonal law, and safeguard for the world
the principle of equal and impartial
trade with all parts of the Chinese en-
pire.
The Russian proposition looking to
the RESTORATION of the imperial power
in Pekin has been accepted as in full
consonance with the desires of the
United States,a the belief that repair
alton for wrongs suffered and an endur-
ing settlement that will prevent their
recurrence must be had under an au-
thority which the Chinese nation rever-
ences and obeys. In the event of pro-
tracted divergence of views in the ne
gotiation's, the President favorably in-
clines to Russia's suggestion that the
matter of indemnities be relegated to
the court of arbitration at The Hague.
The President recommends the
speedy adjustment of the Alaskan from
tier line to which we are entitled. He
renews his condemnation of lynching
as o reproach to our civilization and
advises preventive measures. The
Nicaraguan government shows dis.
position to promote the construction OF
the canal, and reference is made to the
forthcoming report of the commission
appointed to examine the route. The
Hay-Pauncefote treaty is commended
to the early attention of the Senate
The President "awaits the fulflment
of the promise of the Sultan to make
reparation for the injuries suffered by
American citizens in Armenia anC
elsewhere in the Turkish empire
The message presents the inancia
statistics for the year, showing for the
fiscal year surplus revenue of some
$90,O00,000 The present condition Of
the treasury is one of undoubtet
strength. The recommendation il
made that internal revenue taxes bt
reduced $50, 100000. American vessels
have carried, during the past year
about nine per cent of our exports an(
imports. Foreign ships should carry
the least, not the greatest part o
American trade. So the shipping bill
now before Congress is commended,
The executive discussion of tn,
financial situation would be incomplete
without reference to 'sound money.
On this subject the people are walking