The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-12-10
;Mhe Getil M''tIyhig
ELKToN, DECEMBER 10, 1870.
The Presidents Message.


by the Republican party and the people
ren.rallv with satisfaction. We herewith
a ,;, of tho ,,oss.oe which
"pponu I" y nop''n y, 'Ao ~
Is all that our hmiteo space Will aiio"'
With the restoration of Georgia to rep
resentation in Congress, which may be
expected very soon. the work of reconstruc-
tion will be complete, and, the President
thinks, with an acquescence of the whole
people in the obligation to pay promptly
the national debt, and to recognize the
amendments to the Constitution, there is
no reason why we should not advance in
national prosperity and happiness as no
other nation has done after so devastating
a war.
The new Government of France having
applied to our Government to use it's good
Offices in the interest of peace, the Presi-
dent answered that the established policy
and the true interests of the United States
forbade all interference in European ques-
tions Jointly with European Powers
Should the time, however, come when the
action of the United States can hasten the
return of peace by a single hour that
action will be heartily taken.
But little is said in the message about
Cuba, except that reparation for damage to
the persons or property of American citi-
zens has been made by Spain.
The annexation or purchase of San
Domingo is again pressed on the attention
of Congress-. and the opinion expressed
that it will fall into European hands so
soon as it is ascertained that the purchase
has been abandoned by the United States.
San Domingo now has a population of
100, 900 souls, and the President says it is
capable of supporting population of TO-
900, 900 of people in luxury. The people
yearn for the protection of our free insti-
tutions and laws. and the President asks,
"Shall we refuse them?, Its possession
nv MS will build ND a coastwise commerce
of immense magnitude, which will go far
towards restoring to us our lost merchant
commerce The President concludes this
branch of his Message with a review of the
MANY advantages to flow from its early
ACQUISITION, and recommends that Joint
resolution be passed authorizing the Exec
a treaty with the authorities of San Domingo
for it's purchase, and then it can be determ-
ined by a resolution of annexation, as in
the case of Texas,
The President is very decided ON the
question of the Alabama claims, and says
that orr unalterable convictions are that
the British Government was puilty of gross
neolioence The appointment of a Com
mission to settle these claims, and pay them
Inv the Government. is recommended, SC
that the Government may own them, and
nave iuil possession ana respohsioie controi
oil an the demands against uie't I,
The unirlendly course OF the oahadiah
authorities towards our nshefmeii, anu the
statutes Tor condemnation o! American
vessels, the resident says, VIII not oe per,
mitted, anu IL attempted IL "oulu oeco'ne
MS dnty 10 take steps 10 protecC the fiSh.s
OF citizens OF the United otates. ANY
attempt to enforce the CLAIMS put 1ortn VIII
be regarded as IN contraventlon OF tne
treaty, and the Imperial doVefnnlent WIZ
be held responsible. Congress IL asked 10
empower the President to suspend by proc
lamatlon the operation OF laws authorizing
the transit Oh Soods III Dohu 10 Caii'u',
and, II such an extreme measure snouid
become necessary, to prohlbit vessels OF
the Dominion Of Canada, from entering
Che waters OF the United states, winch he
cites various precedentS IN other countries
to show belong exclusively to the commerce
OF the United States.
Inc encouragement OF American iron
ship building is strongly recommended
The building OF State department is
urged as matter OF necessity.
Such measures as Will lead to an ealiy
resumption OF specie payments are strongly
recommended.
On this subject the President says:
The averaoe value of GOLD as comnared
with national cnrrencv for tho whole n,
tho wear 1850 was abont 134 and for eleven
montbs IF 1874 tho game relative valun has
hoor oLont TX Tho ornrnocb to , snec;o
basis is yerv rr,t;fv;nG Int the fact can,
not be denied that the instability of the
value OF our currency is preJudlclal to oul
Tho Gntr;ment Of trsde The W evils i Of y
deprecated and fiuctuatine currency are
SO great that now, when the premium
on dold has fallen so much, it would seem
that the time has arrived when by wise
and prudent legislation Congress should
look to a policy which would place our cur
rency at par with gold at no distant day.
The tax collected from the people has been
reduced more than eighty millions OF dollars
per annum. By steadinesS in our present
course, there is no reason why, in few
short years, the national tax -gatherer may
not disappear from the door Of the citizen
almost entirely. With the revenue STAMP
dispensed by postmasters in every com.
munity, tax upon liquors of all sorts and
tobacco in all forms, by wise adjustment
of the tariff which will put a duty only
upon those articles which we could dispense
with, known as luxuries, and on those
which we use more of than we produce
revenue enough may be raised after a few
years of peace and consequent reduction Of
Indebtedness to fulfil all our obligations
A further reduction of expenses in addition
to a reduction of the interest account may
be relied on to make this practicable.
On the new question of "Revenue
roco,r, :, .lo p,o.;Jo,,+ ...;,.o, Co..o
VIZ e''"on' o'''No' ''""'o'
lrumDull ana his party damaging bio"
in the following paragraph:
Rovenuo roforr, ;f;t n,o,rs +,;s bo, ~,
boort,, s,,,,,,nrt r. - ;r,,,I;a, oailnot; 10;
nf tho , nupp Co.. .,,a npoS eou,"'
ment FAY tho 'an ,me ' ~ -; ~, a,,r
interest of the public debt, PENSIONS &c,
by directly taxing the people. then l am
ai; revenue REFORM ana coniide n!
poilofo INC Peopie are WIN me- II II
l.e.'ns l'i,ure 10 ProVlue inc necessary
means 10 delray an lhe expenses OF ihe
government ana thereby repndlation o.
the puOhc debt and pensions, then L an
stlii more opposed to such kind OF revenue
reform; Revenue reform has not been
Defined by any OF Its advocates to my