Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-12-15

-" ""f"'" 49, "rfrff'H"Nf f'frFF ""f
document would occupy but two or
binary newspaper columns, and be
sharp, and decisive. But, behold, il
is neither Long as il is, there is not
an original idea, nor q paragraph
breathing the sentiments Of states
man, from beginning to end. 1t was
Grants fortune to "bottle" Ben. Butler
in the "dutch gap canal,' but we shall
be very much mistaken ii Ben. don't
bottle him before long. The govern
ment however, uttered one sensible
paragraph viz;
There are many subjects not alluded to In thi,
message, which might with propriety be intro.
duecd, but | abstain, believing that your patriot
ism and craftsmanship will suggest the topics and
the legislation most conducive to the interests Of
the whole people,
1t is well enough that he depends
upon the patriotism and statesman
ship" of others, because there is none
of the latter either 10 the White House
or the Cabinet. The occupants are
mere politicians, and some OF them
miserable poor ones at that.
The Lancaster Intelligeacer, in pas
sing upon the Message, says:
General Grants first annual Mes.
sage was therefore anticipated with
no little anxiety. His friends hoped,
almost against hope, that il might re-
deem the unenviable reputation ho
had been making for himself That
they must feel sadly disappointed as
they read the document, we cannot
doubt Instead Of the brief, terse and
vigorous paper which the Radical
press led US to expect, we have n long,
cumbersome and ditluse document, in
which verbose and slilted style
utterly fails to cover up the timidily,
vascillation and restraint of a mind,
void Of fixed political opinions. Ii
must be evident TO the most casual
reader, that Grants chief aim in the
preparation Of his Message, was 10
avoid giving oilense to any one OF the
factions which make up that wonder
ful conglomeration that rejoices in the
name OF the Republican party. Certain
il is that he shows in this Message
none of the elements of political
leader, whatever he may have been in
war.
After few paragraphs Of Sopo-
moric rhetoric, Grant plunges into
the question Of reconstruction. Tho
thoughtful man will look in vain for
any evidence Of superior wisdom in
what he communicates on that most
important question. In regard to the
vital issue Of the admission of Sena-
tors and Congressman, duly elected by
Southern States, be has not one word
to sayi and the only positive sug.
gestion be makes is the rscommenda-
tion that the Governor Of Georgia be
authorized" Compelled is the word
he should have used) to reassemble
the Old Legislature, in order that a
modern Pride's purge may be admin.
istered to il, the object of which is to
force the ratification Of tho Fifteenth
Amendment. Having laid down
programme for Virginia he could not
rctract what he bad so publicly done,
and he graciously condescends to rec
commend that the Mother Of States
be re-admitted TO the Union.
On the subject of the currency and
the resumption of specie payments his
remarks are of the most vague and
indefinite character. He asserts that
no substitute can be devised to take
the place of ga return to specie
basis" and in the very next sentence
declares that immediate resumption,
it practicable, would not be desirable" "
He vaguely suggests that some legis.
lation be had, looking to resumption
at some indefinite period in remote
future. Boutwcl's plan for funding
the fve.twenty bonds at four or four
and a half per cent. is approved.
His position on the tariff question
reminds us forcible of his boyish
exploit Of riding the mule in a circus,
$50 graphically detailed in Bonner's
Ledger by his garruious father when
he faced to the head or the tail of the
animal with equal facility He avows
in one line that the existing tariff
stands in sad need of. remodification
and reduction, and in the very next
advises the indefinite postponement of
this much needed work.
He declares that the means provi-
dcd for the payment Of the national
debt are "more than ample" but rec
ommends a continuance of the odious
and irquisitive income tax, which,
like a spiders web, catches honest
gnats and flies, while wasps and hor-
nets, the big rogues, break through
its meshes and escape.
He commonds the Quaker Indian
Agents, though we have yet to learn
that they have accomplished anything
worthy of commentator.
In regard to foreign affairs the Mes
sage is as equivocal, and undecided as
it is in regard to domestic matters.
The Alabama claims are very gently
touched and no decided policy is
nvowed, nor any determination ex-
pressed to bring them to a speedy
Like the tariff and
resumption thoy are indefinitely post.
poned, He puts his mailed foot down
upon the aspirations of the Cuban
patriots, and, in siding with Spain,
uses language which will be received
in England as an abandonment Of the
high ground we took in regard to her
recognition of the beligrent character
Of the Southern Confedcracy. When
he says "this nation is is ouH Judge
0hen 10 accord rights Of JeiiigTency,"
ne stands on the very same ground
hat the English Government pro.
'csscd to occupy during the rebellion,
md brings Mr.. Summers airy castle
about his ears.
On the subject Of protecting natu.
1