Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-12-15
c7,A1Rs1z11.1.E1 DECEMBER

unite their destinies with OURS, why
should we colby repulse them? His an
nexation proclivities are proved and u
questionable: if they are odious, why
has he not been oveTthiOWn? We SUD-
NIT that Congress will be constrained by
public sentiment to admit San Domingo
into our Union unless it can be made to
appear that her people are prepOnderant
iy averse to such fusion. IftlIey are so,
that fact should be c0Bciusive; but the
weight of testimony is COW in the scale
of Annexation. Unless the aspect shall
be materially changed, the Republic of
San Domingo will be merged in the Uni
ted States wit in the year 1871. We do
not anticipate from that accession al! the
blessiT gsexpected by the President; yet
we ale sure that San Domingo is worth
a dozen Alaskas. There can he no mi
take as to the general accord with Gen.
Grants recommendation on this head.
As to Cuba, it is plain that the Vol
unteer rule now rampant i'll the cities
and in the great sugar estates has nearly
exhausted.by its outrages the Presidents
patience. If Spain can subjugate Cuba,
why not do it? If not, why not ,!esist
from the wasteful attempt? Humanity
and reason cry aloud for cessation of
hostilities if they can only be prosecuted
as they have been for the last year.
With regard TO our Alabama claims,
We regret the silence of the Message as
to what has been done or attempted by
our Government since Christmas. Great
Britain, If we understand her official
documents, awaits definite proposition
overture from ouI side. We would
gladly learn that one has been daily made
What is said By the President respect
ing the War now raging in Central Eu-
rope is so well said that are are impelied
to wish that he had saiG mere. How
ever, "enOugh is as good SIS a feast"
Tie Presidents suggestions and re-
Communications with regard to the Pub
lie Lands and Landgrants are generally
wise and timely. His recommendation
of the services of Postmaster General
Creswell has been richly earned.
AS to Revenue Reform" Gen. Grant
is in hearty accord with the public judg-
ment. He favors all possible. reform,
but no destruction either of Revenue or
Protection. He might have defended
the latter more ernphaticaily; but his
heart is in the right place and his hest
efforts will not be wanting to sustain the
exposed and assailed departments of
our National Industry.
Many will lie surprised by the Presi-
dents hearty Endorsement of Civil Ser
vice Reform; but he has been there all
along. We trust that Reform will re-
ceive Il decided impetus from his earnest
commendation.
Finally, the Presidents summing up
of tn e leading objects of his policy, and
especially his desire to secure "a pure,
untrammeled ballot" must appeal
cogently to the judgment and aft; ctions
of the America II People. He is Abra-
ham Lin ;oln's lineal successor, and the
popular heart beats in unison with his
AID his efforts.
From the Wheeling FntelIigeneer.
The greater part of the message, if not
always strong, is rather adroit, and cal
culatsd to strengthen the President with
the people. In this respect, the urgency
in regard to San Domingo is the chief
biunder ofthe whole document. 1t will
only strengthen the determi ed opposi-
tion TO the scheme, and add fuel to the
flame of discord excited by it last winter.
The President would have harmonized
things and strengthened the admins
tration far more by leaving the scheme
where the Senate left it last winter. Ex-
cept on this point, and one or two others |
such as Revenue Reform" Oh which |
are divided, they will gem
orally receive the Presidents views with |
a unanimity of favor. He has avoided |
at least one rock by his entire silence on |
the question of amnesty, that being |
another matter on which the party is |
sharply divided. But in doing this he |
dstracts somewhat from lis reputation |
for giving frank expression to his views
on all proper questions. Evidently i'll |
his two years in the White HOUSE, the |
Pr sidsnt has yielded something of his |
soldierly bluntness 10 the diplomatic |
of the situation.
The Times says the message is the |
best answer to those who insist that the |
mission Of the Republican party is end
ed, or impugn General Grants fitness |
for interpreting the wishes and prone
ting the interest of the people, and that |
the policy set forth is at once positive |
and practical. Tbs writer thinks it is |
clear that the President has 40 idea o.
plunginE the nation recklessly into |
war as a means of manufacturing party |
capital.
The World severely criticises the mes |
sage, and thinks it is document which |
needs good deal of wi1nOwing to sepa- |
rate the small amount of grain from the |
heap of chaf' in which it is buried.-l
The Sun can find little merit or satisfac-
tion in the message, and terms it poy-
erty stricken document.
The Heral thinks the Presidents mes
sage is a good State paper and astaunch
party platform. That rs an exhibit of
the management under his supervision
of the Government, in our foreign and
Is good and encouraging, and as a fore
,hadowing of the general policy OF his