St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-12-17
Cou,,,ents on the Messd0e.

The press has been remarkably unanl-
nous in praise of the straightforward anu
sensible tone of President Grants first
message, and nearly all the recommend
ations contained in that important docu-
ment have met with hearty approval
The one notable exception to the general
rule is found in the New York World,
which, after calling the Presidents man
ner of writing * feeble and limpng," and
remarking that ''the substance and tissue
of his ideas give an appearance OF repeat
ing with imperfect apprehension views
borrowed from others, rather than the d.
rested results of Independent reflection,
concludes its iault-tinding in these words.
"In point of ability this IL the weakest
mcssare ever sent to Congress by an a
merican President" On the subject OF
I'm, instruction in Cuba, however, the
World is ''glad to say that the Presl-
dents position is wise and judiclous."
The New York Tribune regards the
messare AS cone of the wiscst and most
malicious ever transmitted 10 Congress,
and especially approves ''the square way
in which che the President puts the
case of the rights and dignity OF the Uni
ted States rerSuS the ass imptlons and az
uressions of France through her Tele-
graphic Cable Company" The Times,
after reviewing the prominent rccommen-
dations of the Executive, says
'.On every one of the subjects thus
treated, the President speaks i'll the plain,
simple, straightforward manner which
he has taught Us to look Tor in him. He
addresses Congress and the people III the
tone of an earnest man who is striving
hard to do his duty, and is ambitious for
nothing but the welfare OF the people
who have chosen him to act as their
Chiel Magistrate"
The Herald thinks the message ''tOre-
shadows in our great soldier our first
statesman of his day. 1t is the message
of an honest, clear-neaded, practical man.
The Sun complains OF its length, but
admits that the Presidents views on the
currency question are ''sound and states
maulike." The sun considers the refer
cucc TO Cuban affairs ''the weakest ant
most Objectionable part Of the message.
The Springfield Republican, the Provi
dencc Journal, and the Worcester Spy
review it with favorable comment.
Ofthc Boston press, the Traveller com
mends the iranknesS, ability, fairness
and terScn.-s of the message. The Jour
nal is reminded OF General Grants cam
paign reports during the war, by til
, plain and direct, concise and cOmprc
hcnsivc" character Of the document, an,
the occasional flavor of Il bold and stall
wait personality" winch flashes thrOugI
lis bu-lncss-like phrases. The Tran-crip
} saws
ut Is sensible and practical, human
: and patriotic the honest work EVIDENT
, of AN Executive calmly determined t
: comprehend III, high duties and to h
t faithful to them, with a firm adhercnc
{ to principles and u definite policy tina
> seeks the permanent welfare OF TN
= whole country.
The Post vrhcmrntly abuses the Sec
. rotary OF the Treasury tor keeping ii
/ report TO himself till il WAS communicate
: to Congress. and rather uugr.ciou-i
: ~.,y- OF the Presidents message:
: 1.-The very practical and >Iraighttor
: ward character ct tine document WI
= STRIKE all readers torclbIy. 1t contain
{ no evidences OF independent thinking q
/, original views, but generally adopts tho
e OF secretaries and senators. Yet 1t ca
, toe readily comprehendcd, and, Ii clu-r
I on Il rather low key, will he taken "a til
= address OF Il plain man To COn-rr>~. mad
III tine p!alnr>t man"rr. it, hrevlty l.
: merit. which a merely business cOmmu
= nlcatlon should always aim TO possess.