The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-01-01
The Presidenys Message.

The Presidents Message.
We are indebted to Hon. THoMAs ADAMsoN,
United States Consul at this port, for a pamphlet
copy of President Grants first inaugural, which
was delivered to Congress on the 9th of December
1t is a plain and clear statement of national
affairs, Just such a document as we should ex.
pect from Gen. Grant-a plain American citizen
who has pushed his way from comparative obscur-
ity to the highest and proudest position in the
Republic. The opening paragraph is a beautiful
production. as coming from the pen of the ruler
of forty millions of people:
"To the Senate and House of Representatives In
coming before you for the first time as Chief Magis-
trate of this great nation, 1t is with gratitude to the
Giver of all good for the many benefits we enjoy
We are blessed with peace at home and are without
entangling alliances abroad to forebode trouble with
a territory unsurpassed in fertility of an area equal
to the abundant support of five hundred millions of
people, and Astounding IN every variety of useful
mineral in quantity sufficient to supply the world for
generations with exuberant crops with n variety of
climate adapted to the production of every species of
the earth's riches. and suited to the habits, tastes,
and requirements of every living thing with Il pop
ulation of forty millions of free people, all speaking
one language with facilities for every mortal to &C
quire an education ; with institutions closing to none
the avenues to fame, or any blessing of fortune that
may be coveted with freedom OF the pulpit. press
and schools with a revenue flowing into the National
Treasury beyond the requirements of the Govern
ment. Happily, harmony is being rapidly restored
within our own borders manufactures hitherto I'M
known in our country are s%pringing up in all sections.
producing n degree of national independence une-
qualed by that of any other power. These blessings,
and countless others, are intrusted to your care and
mine for safe keeping for the brief period of our
tenure Of office. In n short time we must each of US
return to the ranks of the people, who have conferred
upon us our hOGOrs, and account to them for our
stewardship. 1 earnestly desire that neither you nor
L NAV bp condemned hU n free and anHohtpuRI con-
stituency, nor by our own consciences."
From the message we learn that the receipts of
the American Government for the year ending
June 80, 1869, were 1910, 943 ,747, and the ex-
penditures 1921 AGO, 597, including some forty or
fifty millions spent to settle claims arising in the
late war. The national debt has also been reduced
during the Presidents incumbency $73, 900 ,000.
He thinks the tariff and income tax can be
changed SO as to produce eighty millions less rev.
enue, with benefit to the nation.
The Secretary of the Treasury thinks that at
the present rate of parchase of bonds, and re-
duction of interest, the entire debt can be paid
of within thirteen years. To do 4, however,
would require administration as honest and Geo
~s5a5s2. S i the pvesent.
Grant says that $ the contest has ut no time as
sumed tie conditions which amount to a war In
the sense Of international law, or which would
show the existence of a de facfo political organi-
zation of the insurgents sufficient TO justify Il rec
ignition Of delinquency" He claims the right,
however, for the American nation to be it's own
judge to accord the rights of belIigerency either
to a people struggling to be free, or 20 independ-
ent nations at war.
Respecting the Canadian Reciprocity Treaty,
he says " it has not been favorably considered by
the administration" He argues that the advan-
tages of such q treaty are wholly in favor of the
foreign producer, and that few in the United
States would be benefited by it. He makes no
allusion to the Hawaiian Treaty, but it is clear
that the same arguments might be applied to our
Treaty.
He recommends an increase of appropriations
for 90 the mail service in the Pacific" This may
apply TO the China line, which is seeking to es-
tablish semi-monthly steamers or to the pro-
posed Australian Steam Line or the line to this
port or it may include them all. There is evil
IDENTIFY a disposition on the part of the American
Government to aid it's citizens in establishing new
avenues of trade and travel for it's growing COM
merce.
1t is thought that if the subsidy for a semi
monthly China service is secured, one steamer
each month of the China line will touch at Homo
lulu, in going and returning from Yokohama ; in
which event the present Honolulu steamer may be
withdrawn in favor Of the China vessel, which
would carry mails, passengers and fast freights.
Any change made in the present service will re-
quire the agency here to be held by Americans.
The present arrangement of employing Europeans
to serve as agents here for a national American
steam line, is humiliating TO every American
living at these Islands.
The whole message is exceedingly interesting,
particularly to Americans, and will be found in
full, either in the Alta, Union or Bulletin, of
December 18th.