Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-07
Daily Arnuebef sournal.
AU q U ST A.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. DEG. 2. 1870.
THE MESSAGE.

The annual Message of President Grant
will be read with lively satisfaction in ali
parts of the United States. 1t is admira-
BILE in tone, sound in policy. and clear and
emphatic on questions most agltatlnS Inc
public mind 1t presents our relations
with foreign countries in the most salts
factory condition, saving, perhaps, in the
case of the Dominion of Canada, where 1t
is apparant that things are not so pleas
ant AS they might be, with prospect OF
no immediate improvement unless the
Canadas change their unfriendiy course
towards us. At homo general prosperity
prevails, peace and security for persons
and property are established all over the
Union, except in isolated cases in the
Southern States We are free from EN-
tanrlinp alliances abroad. and pursue
with success the paths of peaceful indus
try at home. Our debt is decreasing,
while our resources are increasing. we
have proved our ability to pay the debt,
by meeting every obligation apl cutting
down the principal, aud now how to adj
lust taxation in the farest and best manner
as it slides downward, is the principal
question In connection with our finances.
The chief matters upon which the Mes
sage dwells, the annexation OF san DO
mingo. our relations with Canada as re-
cards the fisheries and the navigation OF
the St. Lawrence, revenue reforms, the
civil service, Indian affairs and the public
lands, are treated with decision and bold
ness. The President is in earnest about
the acquisition OF San Domingo, and ar
CUES the subject strongly. What impress
sion he will make upon the Senate remains
to be seen, but that he thoroughly believes
in .he policy of acquiring this foothold at
the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico is evil
dent enough, His manner OF dealing
with the fishery question, holding England
and not Canada responsible, will offend
the dignity of our neighbors who have
assumed the robes of government in their
own right as they supposed, but the meas
ures proposed if adopted will probably
bring them to terms. Upon the subject
of the right to navigate the St. Lawrence
there is meaning in the Presidents words
That outlet 10 the ocean will not remain
in hostile hands. Nature has made its
use necessary TO the West, and they will
have it upon some conditions. There is
no menace in the Presidents language,
but much to awaken the Canadas and
show them the inevitable course of events
In regard to revenue reform the Message
takes prudent practical ground, and its
position will be endorsed by the best judg-
ment of the nation. Leaving theories to
take care a themselves, the President sees
that we must have large revenue from
some source to meet our bills and prefers
an indirect to direct to raise it, he would
raise that tax when it would bear with
least weight upon the masses, and at the
same time serve to promote the increase
of home products and the value of home
labor and markets. His recommendation
that the mode of appointments to Office in
the civil service be changed will meet
with favor The conciliatory and civil
izing process of conducting Indian affairs
has proved successful and will be coniin-
ued. 1t is remarkable that a man illustri-
Gus in war should be the leader in the
humane, peaceful and christian mode of
dealing with the savages now adopted, and
that his most faithful allies are the sect
whose doctrines are always opposed to
the sword Upon the whole the Message
is an evidence to the world Of the beneG-
cence of our form of government, the
wisdom of our rulers, the greatness OF our
nation, and an omen of wonderful pros
perity, growth and strength in the future.