Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-12-17
8f0fao .ynqulrer
THE PRESIDENTS MEssAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS AESsA1E'
The message was sent to our readers last
week before we had time to read it or COM
mont upon it. 1t is a document that viii
add to the popularity Of the President.
The argument Of the special pleader and the
harangue Of the political demagogue fud
no place in it. It's merit consists in Its mat
ter of fact, plain, straightforward style of
treating every subject to which the Presi-
ident felt it his duty to call the attention Of
Congress. Each question is stated briefly
and distinctly and the opinion Of the Presi-
dent is so plainly expressed that no one IS
left IN doubt. These are considerations Of
the very first importance in official doeu-
ments, and few, if any, previous messages
have possessed them in higher degree
Again the message is in full accord with
the spirit and principles Of the party 10 pow
er, aud gives US the assurance that its good
common sense will be practically carried out
by the legislative branch Of the Govern
ment IF any one has feared that the Pres
idant would be found wanting on the Re
construction question his bold and righteous
recommendation in regard to the Georgia
Legislature viii certainly set all their fears
at rest The recommendation in regard to
the currency and resumption Of specie pay
ments cannot but meet the hearty approval
of all who have not disregarded the teach
ings Of experience and the facts of history
both in our own and other countries. Those
who have most deeply studied the history Of
finance and the efforts of other nations to re-
sume, under similar circumstances, are fully
assured that we are approaching specie pay
ments as fast as is either advisable or prae-
tieable, if we wish resumption to be peEma-
nent when it does come. Ia fact all that
part Of the message in reference to the
finances is fraught with the suggestions Of
practical common sense and stands in mark
cd contrast with the faneiful theories of
our would be fnanciers. Repudiators viii
feel small encouragement, when they find
the executive placing first of all on our list
ofimperative duties the necessity for shict
integrity in fulfilling all our obligations; =
and those, who hoped to find our chief mag
istrate upholding caste, will scarcely relish
the assurance that second only to cur fnan-
cial good faith is placed the imperative duty
''to secure protection to the pasoa and prop
aty Of the citizen of the United States IN
each and epery portion Of oar common coin
tiy, ChGeCT he may choose 10 more, 1eitkout
reference to original nationality, religion,
color or politics, demanding Of han oaly
obedience to the lars and proper respect for
the rights Of Others" The emphatic and
special recommendation to abolish the
Franking Privilege tabuse it were better
called viii meet the hearty approval Of
every honest man. We hope to see Con
gress act promptly on this important recon-
mendation. There is but one point upon
which the message diverges from a policy
that all must approve-the recommenda-
ton to increase the salaries of certain Off
Gals IL is no doubt true that the salaries
Of such officers as judges ofthe Supreme
Court and few others are not commensu
rate with the ability required nor the duties
exaeted by their positions; yet they are suf
6cient to maintain them in comfort as long
as they are content to live in that Republi-
can simplicity that should characterize the
officials of a Democratic government. Be
sides, the expense of living, which had
largely increased during the war, is now rap
idly declining and each day the necessity for
increased salaries on tLat account becomes
less. This is certainly not the time to in
crease the salaries Of public officers. With
this single exception we think the message
in full accord with the watts and wishes Of
the great mass of the people Of all parties.
If the legislation of the Congress Just assem-
bled meets the approval Of all classes as well
as the message, it will be the most popular
that has ever yet assembled at the National
Capital. 1t has been q long time since Con.
gress, President and people have 50 nearly
coincided in their views of public policy,
and we hope it shall not be our lot to record
any change in this respect for long time to
come. We desire no more gratifying task
than to contrast present harmony with past
diseord Surely things augur well for the
peace and prosperity Of our whole country.