The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The people Of these United States who
are id accord with Republican principals
will read with pleasure, pride, aud profit
the Message OF Generl Grant, which will be
found elsewhere in our columns. Those
who are not in such accord will find in it
much matter suggestive 6f thought, and
ucne to give offence. AS 4 state paper it
ranks among the abest Of productions. -
There is none of that acgtnatism that in An
drew Johpson's papers insults Congress
and the people, nor Is there any of that
indifference 10 established facts which threw
johnson so fat back Of the moving, think.
ing present 1t comports as nearly as may
be with the popular idea of Message
Wherein it refers to completed lines of pol
icy the reasons are never withheld, and
wherein these lines ar4 foreshadowed, it is
doue in that suggestive style which Invites
the CO. operation Of Congress and insures its
confidence. In its scope the Message is
not more general than others; ia It's grasp
Of issues it will stand as a model. Its one
great characteristic is the hearty endorse.
nent it gives to those principals which car
ried the war to a successful termination,
and that now would not allow any of its
lessons to escape. The initial period Of the
Administration is over. 1t hns had time to
cast it's horoscope Regarding the Message
as the embodiment administrative thought
and prediction, it is so prc-eminently Re-
publican as to doubly vindicate the wisdom
Of selecting its author as Chief Executive
Of the nation.
The Message opens with glowing sketch
Of the National condition. Blessed with
peace, all are left free to study the vast re
sources and contemplate the features that
make this people so prosperous, united,
and happy. Our areas are ample for Ave
hundred million souls The laud abounds
in mineral and agricultural wealth. Here
The most benign institutions, whether Of
learning, religion, philanthropy, law or lib
erty, have their raise aud enjoy patronage
unequalod among civilized nations. One
speech, and that the English, is common
to forty million Inhabitants, and is per.
petual bond of unity and homogeueity-
the very touchstone Of republican institu.
tions.
The work of Congress in restoring the
long-lost States, ana protecting and foster
ing free labor and freedom, is approved.
While all the results may not be quite sal.
isficfactory, yet epough success has been
achie'ed to prove beyond doubt the justice
of the procedure, and to show that different
counscls would have been attended with
disaatrous delays, or would have leopard
lied the sword wrought logic of the rebc.
lion.
There is no mincing Of words respecting
the Southern situation. Take the case oi
Georgia as an illustration. A constitution
was adopted; members of the Legislature
were elected. A part of that Legislature
expelled another part, in contravcntion Of
the State constitution they had just adopted
and in violation of the fourteenth amend
mcnt to the Federal Constitution. O.her
members were substituted who we're ineli.
gible, according to the same high author,
tiles. The Supreme court Of Georgia has
besides, decided that the expelled mem
bcrs we're eligible and that the substituted
ones were not. This is the case, simply
tersely stated. The remedy suggested il
the enactment of general law requireing
an obedience to the State and Federal con-
pacts. There is no talk of expedients here
no shutting, temporisipg suggestions The
case is understood and is squarely met
The law in the hands Of Grant will be am
pie.
The President looks upon the work ac
complished in Virginis with an eye of sat
faction. Perhaps he is a little too conlpla
cent hero. True, the letter of the law ma
have been fulfilled, but its spirit has becr
violated. However, the consequences b
upon the State. The Executive could nc
fathom intentions, and the autorities ca
only deal with acts.
Turning to the finances, the Presiden
avows the desirability of au unvaryng me
dunn of circulation. The present currenc
heregards as necessary evil grown
out of the war, but he does not in
suit the Congress with its presence, as di,
his predecessor, neither does he, like hin
invent an ingeninus plan for repudiatip