The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-08
the PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

opinion upon it is reflected from the public
press, we notice that it meets the fullest
anticipations of his friends, and is proof
against the attacks of his enemies.
What is there in this plain, unpretending
State paper, that has struck so many
sympathetic chords in the popular sentl-
nent of the country. 1t is not tropes or
figures of speech, which men call eloquence
it is not vaunts or victories in the past, or
in the future, which please those who have
aided in achievements, or look forward to
continued successes, that enforce approx
ing acceptance of the Message; it is its
ninent propriety addressing the language
of practical common sense, to practical
people ;-"Good common sense, the fairest
gift of Heaven"
The New York Herald says:
The Presidents Message is before our readers.
1t is an unpretending,. practical matter-offact
State paper, which challenges the general appro-
baton of the country both in respect to the acts
of the administration during the eyentful year
that is drawing to close and in the measures OF
LEGISLATION recommended TO Congress. Its dis
tingushing merit is that 1t Is not encountered with
constitutional chop logic. Compared with the
annual messages OF his Industrious predecessors,
from General Jackson down to Mr.. johnson, the
great Southwestern expounder of the constitution,
this Message of General Grant Is a model OF
brevity, though full OF meat as an egg. Even
brief review of half the numerous important
subjects in it touched upon would occupy much
larger space than the document itself. and so for
the present our remarks upon 1t will be mainly
addressed to a few fthe leading topics presented
On this home question of taxation General
Grant recommends +" a modification of both the
tariff and internal tax laws and " that all
hn had
those eoiiected from spirituous, vInous and malt
D.. liquors, tobacco in its yarious forms, and from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff he recon-
mends the policy OF the greatest good 10 the
greatest number and if a heavier reduction is
deemed advisable than the addition of certain ar
tcles to the free list he recommends " that it be
made upon those articles which can best bear 1t,
without disturbing home production or reducing
the wages of American labor
That proposition is good for thirty or forty
thousand majority in Pennsylvania for General
Grant and it joins issue SO fairly and squarely
with The free traders that they will now be COM
PEELED to define their position in Congress and
throughout the country. 1t challenges the Dem
ocrats and free-trade Republicans to take the OPP
posite ground of free trade, and it is the only is
sue upon which is offered them that complete an
tagonsm which is the very life of political par
ty out of power against the party in possession
ofthe government. The Message spikes the guns
of Carl SchurZ on the question of general amnes-
ty and on civil service reform; and the facts re
cited and referred to by the President concerning
the Ku-klux Klans, leave only as mall margin fol
political capital to General Blair on that ques-
ton.
Upon the Army, the Navy, the Interior and
the Post-Office Departments the representations
and recommendations of the Message are gene
rally satisfactory and the suggestions in con
nection with the Indian tribes, the postal ser
vice, m-houses, office seekers, the publ,
lands &c. and in reference TO liberal appropria
lions for the improvement of the city of Wash
ington, our national capital, and for the immedi
ate construction of needful public buildings il
Chi0 on viii surely he ,arried out by Congress:
To sum up this Message: as an exposition of
IN, ,.o.a.s u administration III the manage
mcnt of all the vast concerns of the several de
partments of the government on the land ant
the water, at home and abroad, during the yea
which is now closing, it is good exhibit of
faithful execution of the laws, an honest DISPOSE
lion of the public money and a rigid punishment
of public defaulters. In the next place, the Mes
sage in its recommendations to Congress coyer
q budget of legislative measures and reforms ne
eessary or wholesome in their character In
word, whether considered as embodying thu
views of a statesman ambitious only TO promote
the material prosperity and moral advancement
of his country. or as political campaign doeu
ment from candidate r another presidenta
strengthen General Grant and to weaken his ad
Yersaries throughout the United States.
The New York Tribune adds its approva
thus:
in each Presidents Message themselves berated
their motives aspersed, and their devotion to i'm
partial liberty stigmatized impelled by sec
iional hate and in essence little better thai
treason it must be refreshing to read this Mes
sage, wherein aversion to slavery at home ant
abroad, with recommendations that our citizen
be forbidden to hold slaves in countries wher,
human bondage is still legal, congratulations OF
the initiation of reimbursement in Brazil hope
that the process may be FASTENED, complaint
that Spain's semblance of emancipation in Cub
and Porto Rico is a mockery, &c. &C., are Sc
prominent. Just compare this Message in it
relations to slavery with one of Buchanan's ut
tered barely twelve years ago, and the immense
benefcent strides made by our Republic within
that period will be manifest. Let none doub
that the melioraton is permanent, and far NOR,
likely to be increased than diminished
Our .oregn relations appear TO be satisfactory
in the MAN. and the President is right in regard
ing and representing our late treaty with Grea
Britain, whereby our grave differences with tina
power are submitted to friendly arbitration, as
striking evidence of progress In true civilization
Webelieve General Grants Fluctuations there
upon will be fully responded to by great major
ity of his countrymen.
The Presidents recommendations that thu
Internal taxes be swept away, except thost
known stamps and those levied ON liquors an(
tobacco, will meet with general approval. May
we not hope that Congress will act promptly an6
decidedly on this recommendation
As to tariff revision, the President reflects very
nearly the average sentiment of the people. Blu
we guess his true friends in Congress will maxi
haste slowly in reducing the revenue from thi
source. The fact that the debt has been steadil,
and largely reduced has done more than any
thing else to make the administration and tn
party supporting it strong and popular.
With regard TO the Kn-klnx outrages in certain
Localities at the South. the Presidents represen
tations are sound, moderate, and will be heartily
approved by large majority OF his countrymen
Those outrages must be suppressed peaceablC
citizens, however poweIless and despised, mus
be protected in their humble homes and If the
states cannot or will not do this, the Unior
must and will We heartily regret that Nationa
interpositon is necessary but, since ii Is, we re
ioice that ii hes been decreed, and bids fair Il
prove ehfectual The denunciations of MARTA
law In Opposition journals and speeches al,
based on untruth. There has been no proclama
ton of martial law; nothing more than u yigo
rous assertion of the supremacy OF statute Law
10 conspiracy, violence, and murder III an,
have absconded from their homes because of tn
sciences were their accusers.
Western papers express opinions similar
to those above quoted and even the calcu
lating critic, who took so much trouble t
note the miles travelled by President Gran
during the recess, will be forced to ADM
that il he did travel far, he kept his eyes
and ears well open while ION his journeys
and saw and heard with sufficient keennes
and accuracy, to render his observation
valuable to the people at large; to max
himself familiar with their condition, an,