Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-12-18
Presidents Message.

The first annual message of President Grant
was. laid before Congress Monday, the 9Th in
stant The document contains ever eight thou
sand words and is too lengthy to print in full.
We therefore confne ourselves TO the following
summary;
After reviewing the condition of the country
and mentioning various grounds for congratula-
ton, the President proceeds to touch upon all
prominent questions of public policy.
RECONSTRUCTION.
The work of restoring State governments loyal
to the Union, has received ample attention from
Congress, and seven of the lately rebellous
States have been fully restored to their former
footing.
THE FREEDMEN
Under the protection they have received are
making rapid progress.
THE CURRENCY.
An irredeemable currency is an evil which he
hopes will receive earnest attention. 1t is the
duty of government to secure a medium of ex-
change of unvarying value This implies re-
turn to specie basis, and no substitute can be
devised 1t should be commenced now and
reached at the earliest practical moment con-
sistent With the interest of the debtor class.
THE REVENUE
Is greater than required, and may be reduced
with safety.
THE NATIONAL DEBT
Can be paid in ten years by the rate of taxation
for the last six years, but he does not deem it
advisable He recommends funding the debt
at smaller interest
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
While the sympathies of the United States are
warmly with the Cnbans in their struggle with
Spain, the President adheres to the tenor of his
inaugural and declares that his course will be in
strict keeping with international law The
principle is maintained, however, that this ma
will ba a
igerency. The good Offices of the Uuited
States between Spain and the South American
republics with which Spain is at war having
been accepted by Spain, Peru and Chilli their
representatives will meet at Washington this
winter. Our Asian and South American rela-
tions should receive special attention 1t will
be the endeavor of the administration to establish
better commercial relations through the agency
of a more enlightened policy than that hereto
fore pursued toward China. He advises meas
ures to prevent the cooie traffic and recon-
mends that the China mission be raised to the
first class.
FICTITIOUS CITIZENSHIP.
Our Chief Magistrate emphatica,v declares
that the citizen, whether native or adopted who
discharges his duty to the country should receive
complete prote ;tion, but is upon those
who come here solely to be naturalzed and re-
turn home to hold Offices of trust and honor, not
disclosing their change of allegiance unless
alarmed or menaced by civil dscord.
MANUFACTURES.
Our manufactures increasing with won
derful rapidity, and imports of many arti-
cles must fall off largely in few years. Rail-
roads in Europe and the East are bringing into
competition with our agricultural products those
of other countries. Self interest, if not self pres
ervation, declares in favor of caution in disturb
ing any industrial interests and teaches also the
necessity of looking TO other markets for the
sale of our surplus.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The experiment Of placing Quakers in charge
of a few reservations has proved most satisfac-
tory. He favors placing the Indians on large
reservations as fast as possible and fitting them
TO set upeterritorial governments for their own
protection.
MISCELLANEOUS.
An abstract of the reports of the different de-
partments is given, showing the state of affairs
in each. Some recommendations are made
Herewith, among others the abolition of the
franking privilege. Taken altogether the mes
sage is an able, concise document, and has been
generally received with marked appreciation.