Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-05-07
Message of Ulysses.
| Belfast Republican,

give you Information, from time to time,
Of the state of public affairs. l am happy
to say that they are most prosperous. We
have all been enabled to draw our salaries
with punctuality, for which choice bless
ing vouchsafed to US we should be duly
thankful. The genius Of our free institu-
tions continually impresses upon Us the
great maxim that we should always seek
the greatest good of the greatest number
and in my judgment, and doubtless in
your own, that number is number one.
If my opinion in this respect should uu-
dergo any modification or change it will
be made the subject of special communi-
cation to you.
Our foreign relations are in happy
condition. We are blessed with the pres
cncc here at the seat Of this high-toned
Government, of a representative of the
empire of IIayti. Most of you who have
attended public receptions have been made
aware of this fact by the exercise Of at
least two of your senses. In the quiet
little sit-downs which VIC have enjoye to-
g,ther in the pantry Of the White House:
have found this gentleman in full .ympa-
thy with the great moral party which
rules this country, and has elevated me to
this high position. He is also very fair
drinker There is prospect of very re-
muncrative trade with IIayti We re-
Gently sold them Il war steamer at their
own price, say s3o,00O-which cost US
half a million. They run her until her
engines were spoiled, when I directed her
to be taken back, and the money re-
funded.
England has not yet paid the Alabama
claims. have directed that they shall
be urged with viyor, even to a threat Of
war. But il John Bull is ugly, 1 shall
direct Mr.. Motley to back out and apollo
gize, after the courageous example Of my
illustrious predecessor in the Trent case.
| should not advise my personal friends to
buy up these claims at more than seven
cents on the dollar.
There is not much to be said about
France l appointed my old Galcna
ncighber Washburn to the post Of minister
to that court but as he don't eat frogs
and cant speak French his resources for
acquiring information are limited. TIc
| has, however, telegraphed to the State De
partmcnt that Louis Napoleon is afflicted
with fungus of the bladder, and sweals
terribly about it,
Coming back from foreign parts to the
| affairs of our own country, my first duty
is to call your attention to the unhappy
condition of our loyal colored fellow cit-
zens Of the South. | regret to say that
oatrages on that long suffering class still
| T,c -, ~,
Department of military justice, that sever,
al rebclious white men in Georgia. South
Carolina aud Alabama, have actually for.
bdden the freedom of their bacon houses
| and hen coops to the colored troops who
fought nobly. recommend that a COM
mission be constituted by Congress to in-
vcstgate these cases and suggest suitable
| legislation. also recommend the passage
Of law giving to each free American Of
African descent forty acres of land, pair
| of mules with cart aud harness FIVE bar
rels Of -four and two suits of clothing, iu-
Guiding hat of the high-top-swcepins
style for wearing to meeting. / would
suggest for your consideration, also, the
passage of law Offering premium of a
fair amount on each child born to colored
parents, with an established additional
gratuity for twins and triplets. 1t would
tend to encourage nome industry, and
largely increase the prosperity, dignity.
and honor of the country.
The fall elections, regret to say, were
not such as We could have wished. Not
withstauding the large sums expended in
Ohio and Pennsylvania, those States were
barely saved, and next year will be lost to
US altogether. New York went against
us heavily. suggest the passage of some
law to countcract this growing evil. 1t is
clear that if man persistcntly votes
wrong, he should not be allowed to exer-
else that high prerogative Of citizen
The ballot is given. him to use, not abuse.
These remarks apply forcibly to the
Southern States, which are exhibiting re-
markable ingratitude. My brothcr-in law
Dent is defeated in Mississippi, because he
persisted in ignoring my wishes. Had he
done otherwise there would have been no
member of the family out of Office, includ-
ing that of Mrs. Grant as we'll as my own.
While l regret that the country should
miss the great moral spectacle of such an
unbroken ring of virtuous brotherhood,
still feel that family discipline must be
preserved. t..
For a statement of the financial condi-
tiou of the country, l refer you to the re.
port of Secretary Boutwell, He willsho
you that the public debt is greatly re.
duccd have not figured it over myself
but take his word for it, as you and the
loyal men of the country doubtless will.
He claims to have discovered . new
method of cyphering. by which two and
two make Eve, which will doubtless great
ly relieve the country. The Treasury De-
psrtmeut generally is highly prosperous.
Some mysterious disappearance Of currency
having occurred, / directed the Secretary
TO make rigid search for the offender.