Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-12-13
Spirit nf getfsrs0n.
Tuesday Morning, December 1s. 1870.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


the entire message of the President of tho
United States, which was read in Congress on
i Monday of last week y; but upon its reception
we find it so weak document-so utterly void
of anything like statesmanship-th We deem
it unworthy the space it would occupy in our
journal, and therefore only copy the follow
ing comments of the Baltimore Gazette:
1t is thoroughly Radical in its leanings,
! and in its references to taxation, thoroughly
protectionist. Following close upon custotDa-
ry allusion to ''a kind Providence,'' comes the
lying declaration that "in several of the States
! lately in the rebellion the citizens have been
denied, BY violence aud intimidation, the free
exercise or the elective franchise, and that
the verdict of the people has thereby been re-
vcrsed," Reference is then made to the
progress of Reconstruction, and the restora-
ton of all the States to representation III Cons
grcss, with the exception of Georgia. But
the latter, it is expected will also take her
place there at the beginning OF the next year.
The obligation Of the whole people to pay
the public debt, las the Price OF our Union"
is next touched upon, and when this obliga-
ton is acquiesced in, aud also the payment of
pensions &C., &c. the President is good
enough to say that he secs no reason why the
country should not advance in happiness and
prosperity. AfIer this we have Qualification
Of what the United States have done-whist
pursuing proscriptiVe policy at hume-ln
protecting, through Mr. Washburne, at Paris,
the subjects and citizens of half dozen
other countries. The prompt recognition Of
the Committee Of NariGnaI Defence as the
9c fact0 Government of France is also regarded
as proper subject for the fluctuations of
Americans" On the subject of intervention
in the Franco German quarrel, the message
states that the United States have adhered
to their traditional policy, not, however, be-
cause it was traditional, but because PRUSSIA
was indisposGd to listen to representations
from any of the neutral Powers and therefore,
the steps would not have advanced the OBJ
iects for which intervention WAS invoked.
In regard to the Cuban insurrcction, we are
Informed that there has been no material
change in the condition of the country since
the close of the last session of Congress. So
far as the arbitrary proceedings OF The Spanish
authorities have affected the persons and prop.
erry Of American citizens. they have been
made the subject "i' complaint at Madrid, but
n0thing, as yet, has been done IN the way OF
redress.
Neither have the good offices Of the United
States for tho promotion of peace between
Spain and the allied South American Repub
lies resulted in accomplishing anything. Bat
the President is satisfied that all the Republics
of Spanish origin ought to lie intensely CRATE
tuI for the friendly interest in their welfare
which the United States have shown by this
effort, although it has proven ahortiye.
The President next takes up the subject Of
the annexation of San Domingo; regrets that
the Bahcock treaty was rejected; is thoroughly
convinced that the best interest Of this coun.
try demands its ratification, aud proceeds. in "A
glowing strain. to depict the wonderful fer
tility Of the soil OF the Dominican half Of that
Island, and the extraordinary commercial adj
vantages that will accrue to us from its pos
session. The whole Of this portion of the
message is full of fine oriental coloring, and
the enthusiasm that gives warmth 90 The i'm
aginative powers Of the writer indicates how
deeply Gen Grant-or the spectators among
whom the Island has been rarcelled cut by
Banz feel the importance of the acquisition,
and the pecuniary so!uce they would derive
from it.
Following San Domingo, the message
touches briefly upon the Free Zone of Mex
ico extrnditnn tca'ics; the Chinese mas
sacrc the abolition ct mixed courts for
the suppression of the slave trade; the rati-
iicnti"n of the Naturalization Convention
vgith Great Britain, and the discovery of
the remarkable feet that thc true boundary
| line between the United States and the British
possessions. on 'he Red river of the North, is
100 feet north Of the line, as commonly re-
| cevrd
in regard to the Alabama claims. the Pres.
/ iieut regrets that M conclusion has been
reached for their adjustment-the British
| Government not being willing to concede that
it was guilty of negligence. He suggests that
/ II ~, &C
private parties and hold them until such time
! as full and friendly settlement can be made
with the Government of Great Britain.
The recent action of the Canadian authori-
| ties. in capturing American fishing vessels in
| what are alleged to be Canadian waters. is
more boldly discussed and bears evident marks
/ Of Mr. B. f. Buffers handiwnrk The Ca
na3ians are warned that if they attempt to
| enforce the jurisdiction conferred by their own
statutes over the waters in question. it will he
! come necessary, on the part Of the President,
"to take such steps as may be necessary to
protect the rights of the citizens of the United
States" Moreover, further means of re-
tuliatio1r, in case the Canadian authorities ''re
peat. the coming season. their unneighhorly
acts upon our fishermen" the President asks
Congress to confer upon him the power to
prohibit the transit of goods. wares and mer-
chandise. in bond. across the territory of the
United States to Canada, and to prohibit any
vessels belonging to Canadian citizens from
entering the waters of the United States.
Another complaint is the manifestation of
an unfriendy disposition on the part of the
Canadian authorities in refusing TO American
vessels the free and unrestricted navigation of
the river St. Lawrence. which. it is argued.
the latter have the right to enjoy. notwith-
standing the fact that the river runs. for the
greater portion ofits length through Canadian
territory.