The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-12-07
The Presidents Message.

There are some matters in the message
of the President which, so far as they go,
will meet the general appreciation of the
country. In this class may be included
the recommendation for the reduction of
tariff and internal revenue exactions, and
the suggestion that it is not eXpedient to
pay the public debt at present by revenue
collections. The suggestions for civil
service reform are well, so far as they are
sincere, but have a flavor of dry humor to
to those who call to mind how rapidly
new offices have been created by the adj
ministration, and that they are almost in
variabIy filled with single reference to
party efficiency. An honest reform OF the
civil service, which shall give to all posi-
tons men capable and efficient, without
regard to other considerations, is one of
the greatest needs of the time-but can it
be expected from this administration
The suggestion that the disability inn
posed by the fourteenth amendment to the
Constitution upon the citizens of the South
be removed, and that the educated and
intelligent men of those States who par
ticipated in the rebellion be allowed to
hold official positions, but recites the true
policy of the Democratic party, and one
which it has repeatedly declared. Such
concession would have come with much
better grace and been infinitely more
polite five years ago. If that measure be
comprised. and the weak and unstates-
manlike Ku Klux bayonet law be repeal
ed, there will be small ground of com
plant against Southern men in any grade
of society
The President regrets, as he has before
regretted in messages, the disturbed con-
dition of Cuba and the consequent an
noyance to this country. 1t will occur to
many that something more of tirmness in
the executive, and a decided message or
two to the Spanish authorities concerning
these annoyances," as his eXcellency
mildly puts the outrages on the ships and
citizens of the United States, would have
a salutary effect. The real responsibility
for the annoyances is at Washington.
This country has been bullied in Cuba
quite long enough, and presents to the
world the extraordinary spectacle of a
government furnishing with the rigors of
martial law very slight irregularities in its
own citizens, and bowling with humility
to the outrages and insults al our very
doors of effete and deeaying Spain.
1t is relief to read that the measure of
prosperity which the country enjoys, as
seen through the executive microscope.
has been realized under wise Provi-
dence" There was fear that the graft
tude thereby inspired would not rise be-
yond the altitude Of the White House.
The policy has not been to inquire into
the wisdom of the laws already enacted"
says the President. This course is I'M
doubtedly iudcious, rs his excellency is
thereby spared much fruitless search.
The shipbulders and navigators of the
east will look in vain for any encourag-
ing word for their decaying interests.
Voted down in Congress, and given the
60 by in the message, the party consigns
this once large and lucrative busine IS to
the tomb
The foreign policy OF The message is
chiefly remarkable for the hearty good
will with which eX-ninister CatacaZv gets
a parting kick. San Domingo, the yellow
diamond of the Caribbean sea. which like
Solomon's dusky love, had ''ravished one
of the eyes of our modern embodiment
Of wisdom, has no mention in the docu-
ment, Summers denunciation Of the IL
licit love has done the business.