Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-12-10

against Cuba, but mentions Ohiy tnoSe ny
name in which Spanish vessels and officials
were at fault. He says not word of the
detention of the steamship Cuba in our
waters, unless be facetiously and cover'ly
refers to it in calling attention 50 most es-
pecially' to the Secretary of the Treasury s
recommendation - for the repeal of laws
allowing shares OF fines, penalties, foriel-
| lures, &C., to officers of the Government
or to informers." Whether he means
this as pleasant joke in this particular
case, or intends it seriously, it should re
ceive the attention Of Congress. Our
people, of all parties, were heartily
ashamed of the swarm of harpies, in the
shape of spies and informers, that fockt d
our streets and filled our Court room
during the investigation of the cases CT
the Cuban officers. It was a disgrace to
the Government and mockery of justice.
The Secretary aud President act wisely in
directing the attention of Congress to this
and similar evils resulting from this "di-
vision of spoils.
The Alabama claims comes in for share
of the nopolicy notice. The President,
of course, endorses the rejection of the
Johnston treaty with England, but has not
seen favorable opportunity to reopen
negotiations upon this all-important sub
ject. He and Minister MOTLEY are wait
ing for the suspicious moment when
something may turn up that this ''mo-
mentous question" can be settled with
an appreciation of what is due to the
rights, dignity and power of both Ma
tions. We suppose, therefore, Congress
will assist the President and his Minister
to "watch and wait" and we suppose the
claims will finally be settled under the
statute of limitation.
The President gives his views freely and
fuently upon the payment of the public
debt, upon the rights Of persons and pro-
perty of the citizens of the United States,
in each and every portion Of the common
country, without regard to religion, color
or politics, and ''the union of all the
States, with equal rights" (poor Georgia.
understandable by any Constitutional
means" In the discussion Of these sub
jects he gets up the establishment of the
message. He succeeds but poorly. He
takes occasion, however, in the midst o.
this effort, to urge the repeal of the Ten
ura-of- office Act" as not only unconstitu
tional but Inconsistent with faithful
and efficient administration OF the Gov
ernment" The letters made to bind Pre4i-
dent JOHNSON now fret and chafe his sue
cessor. AS the Radical Ok is now gored,
the remedy will doubtless be Immediately
applied.
The treatment Of the Indians and other
subjects of minor importance occupy the
rest of the Message.
President GRANT seems to have formed
his message from the disjointed notes
made at Cabinet meetings and after con-
versations with party friends. He writes
as if he had attended political feast and
picked up the scraps. His Message will
surrey add nothing to his reputation as
statesman, nor will his recommendations
furnish any aid to Congress in the ques-
lions which must receive their attention.
With the exception of his bitter and ma
lignant recommendations for Georgia, We
see nothing to applaud or condemn 10 this
nowise remarkable State paper.