The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-12-09
The Presidents Message.

L
The following is q synopsis Of the
Message which was read before the
Houses of Congress on Monday last:
"Aftcr congratulating the country
on peace prospects, the President re-
lated that the free exercise Of the
elective franchise had been denied to
lcitizens i2 several places, lately in re
bellion, aid the verdict Of the people
thereby reversed. Referring to the
European war, he spcahs Of the salts
factory manner in which the protec-
ton Of the American Minister at
Paris was extended to German sub
jccts in France. Referring
to the proclaim m a ion Of the
Republic of France, he says that,
should the present struggle result in
attaching the heart of the French to
the simpler forms Of a Republican
Government, it will be subject of
still further satisfaction, The Amer
lean people should not be Indifferent
to tho spread of American political
ideas in great and highly civilized
country like France; that if an op-
portunjty for intcrpnsing the good
Offices Of the United States in restor-
ing peace shall present itself, that &C
ton will be heartily take. AS to
Cuba, hr says the condition of the
has not materially chang
ed. He rcnews his recommendation
to annex San Domingo, and says SO
soon as it is known that the project
is abandoned by tho United States,
will be opened by some
of the European powers, for the pos
sessession of the SANTANA. He urges
carly action of Congress, and sug-
gests that by joint resolution Of tho
two houses, the Executive shall be
authorized to appoint a commission to
treaty with the authori-
tics of San Domingo, for tho acquisi-
ton of that island, and that an ap-
be made to dcfray the cx-
penscs of commission. The ques-
lion might then be determined better
by the action Of the Senate
On the treaty, or BY the action
Of both Houses on resolution off
annexation, as in the case of Texas
He calls the attention Of Congress to
he continuance and extension Of the
New Mexican FREQ Zone, and to the
rien-tsin massacre. In regard to the
a Alabama claims, lie recommends that
Congress authorize the appointment
Of q commission to take proofs as TO
,hese claims, and that authority bo
given for their settlement by the
United States, so that the Govern.
ncnt shall have the ownership of the
orivatSclaims as well as the respon-
'iblc control Of all the demands
against Great Britain. In regard to
he Canadian fisheries, he complains
hat the course of: tho Canadian au-
horitics has uot been marked by
friendly feelings, and intimatcs that
f they should attempt to enforce
certain act of tho Dominion Parlia-
nent, it will be his duty to take such
teps as may be necessary to pro-
Get The interests Of the United States
itizcns. lie asks that power be con,
erred upon him to suspend the ope-
atsn OF the laws authorizing tho
ransit Of merchandise in bond
Trough the United States to Canada,
nd also to suspend the operation Of
ny laws whereby vessels of the Do
ninion arc permitted to enter tho
waters Of the United States. He
lso complains Of the pretensions Of
;anada to the control of tho naviga.
ION of the ST. Lawrence, and argues
he Importance and right Of the Unit
d States to navigate that river, with I
pt let or hindrancc. With regard to
nc depressed condition Of the foreign
ommcrce Of the United States, he
Iso recommends a liberal policy to-
Yards tho Pacific mail between Cali
ornia ard japan. He also recon-
1snds. that measures may be taken1
0 permit American merchants to
urchase vessels.built abroad, as well
$ to purchase American ship-build-
g. With regard to the currency,
he President says the approach to !
pccie basis is very gratifying, but the
of the currency is very
to prosperity. lie thinks
he timo has arrived when, by a wise
nd prudent legislation, Congress
Mould look to policy which would
lace the currency at par with gold
no distant day. With regard to
venue reform. ho says if it means l.
} keep the revenue down to what is
ecessary for the support Of the Gov
'nment and payment of interest on
ie public debt, it has his hearty sup
,rt; but if it means failure, to pro-
de the necessary means to detray
| expenses of the Government, he
opposed to it. Revenue reform, he 4
,ys, has not been defined by its ad-
ocates; it seemed, however, to be
:ccpted as something which was to
pply every mans wants, without
~ effort pp his part. La4ghter.] {
Q recommends the abolition Of the
anking privilege, and reform in the
vii service, particularly as to the
ode Of appointing subordinate OFF, 1
ais. l
THE N5NTu CpSs1,s the q