The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-12-07
GheQnteIIigetrer


graphic matters that crowd our COL
umns this morning, no less than the
lack OF room, forbid any attempt 10
review or comment on the Message Of
nuy length. We can say In brief that
lts perusAl has afforded us lively sat
isfActIon, aud we trust It will be euual.
ly pleasing to our readers. It Ia PresI-
dent Grants first message, and evil
IDENTIFY, whether directly from his own
hand or not, Is fully pervaded by his In
spiratlon. On every important topic
discussed, we find the President (lrom
uur stAndpoInN on the right sIde.-
There ID a strong but careful grasp Of
foreign questIons-the Alabama claims
our Cuban and Spanish relations, our
foreign relations generally,-whlch Ia
admirable. He tells the Cuban NIL.
busters md pRrtisans that while the
Cuban people are entitled to sym.
paLhy, the Government cannot de-
part from that safe and honorable neu.
lralIty which we ourselves but few
years RgO so much needed at the hands
ut others; and what he says on this
point ls quietly enforced by his strong
aud decided opinions on the Alabama
controversy, respecting which 1t will
bo seen he stands on the ground held
hy Mr. Sumner.
The three grand Fundamental priuCI.
ples on which President Grant founds
his administration, as essential To the
Conntry's "psace. prosperity and do.
velopment," areso comprehensive that
we copy them here:
First, among these Is strict integrity
in fulfilling our obligations.
Second. To secure protection 10 the
person and property of the citizen OF
Our common country whenever he may
choose to move, without reference 10
original nationality, religion, color or
politics, demanding Of him only Obe-
dence TO the laws and proper respect
for the rights OF others.
Third. Union OF all the States, with
equal rights, indestructible by any un.
constitutional means.
No party In this country that means
to do right needs any better platform
than this.
Concerning reconstruction, he advises
that Georgia be taken through course
Of sprouts; that Virginia be at once
admitted; and he hopes Texas and Mis-.
sIsslppi will soon entILle themselves to
aplace In the Union, thus closing The
work Of reconstruction.
He favors funding the debt, aud
thinks It can be into u four or four and
half per cent loan; and believes this
ought 10 precede any important reduc.
tIon of the revenues. lie favors some
reduction, however, believing It I'M
polite 10 make such heavy drafts on
the resources Of the Country now oven
for so excellenta purpose rs paying the
debt, upon the idea that by paying less
lust now the Country will DO able to
pay more In future. lie fAvOrs con-
tinuation Of tho income tax three years
longer at reduced rates, and Rome OK
ceptionOl reductions In tariff nnd in-
ternal taxation to tho amount oI sixty
or eighty millions a year. lie deems u
return 10 specie payments necessity
hut would make the process gradual.
Itis gratifying to note that the Presl.
dent appreciates the vital importance
Of fostering American industry, and
expresses tho hope that 1t may bv still
more widely diffused, 30 rs to bring the
artisan as near as may be to the agri-
cultural producer, whereby 6Rcll would
get the largest reward for his labor.
We cannot particularize further; but
whole, the message comments itself
10 us as clear, strong and homely
document, radical TO the core where the
rights of the citizen are 10 be pro.
teclsd and principles enforced; discreet,
lndlclous, with the wise discernmeuL OF
genuine craftsmanship, In questions OF
finance, foreign relations and OF do
lnestic economy. In literary sense II
ts not polished, nor has 1t the feeble-
ness which Is often the result Of over
polish. But It Is better. 1t Is easily
understood, is full Of strong points and
wastes no words in flourish, II woex.
Cept perhaps the opening paragraph In
in which there is suspicion Of" veal"
excusAble In any man who makes his
tlrst essay, even though that be after
he is forty-fve. We suppose this mes
sage Is written by President Grants
own hand. II not, he has had good coun.
sellors and has taken their advice
which was more than could ever be
said OF his immediate predecessor.
THANKs-To Mr., A. T, McKelVGy,