Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-08

FRIDAY MOFn1nSs Decs % 1oSAs
We give good portion Of our space this
issue to the Presidents Message, which, al
though not a remarkable document, yet,
considering the present condition Of affairs,
VIC believed our readers would be anxious
to see it-as whole.
We can not in this connection forbear
comment or two.
We agree with the President in necessI.
ty for general amnesty, but we can not
find in his reasons anything which did not
obtain Immediately after Gen. Lees surren-
der, and which, had he urged when and at
ter he took the oath Of Office as President,
he would have gained popularity unequal
ed by any man in the country. We cannot
however, see the necessity for any excep-
tons to amnesty. which the President sug.
eests. and we think it would have been more
graceful, and magnanimous had he, as Pres
ident, Of great people omitted this sugges-
ton.
He. in contradistinction to this, attempts
a defence of the Ku.Klux act, no reason for
which ever existed. He says the arrested
uarties in Carolina shall have fair trial, but
in the next breath convicts them by saying
that he believes s'no innocent person is III
custody g9ss
He proposes the adjustment Of all inter.
nal taxes, save on "liquors and tobacco and
stamps The Tax on Tobacco effects only
locally and we cannot see the necessity for
such a tax, but we agree in the necessity for
removal Of the Internal Revenue proposed,
and only wish he had suggested the abolish
ment of some Of the import taxes which cost
more in their collection than the revenue
they produce.
He hints at specie payments, but only
asks Congress to find remedy. A remod-
cling Of National Bank legislation and re-
Iieving State Banks Of their prescription
would aid this but Congress will not do it.
He proposes the uniting of a general tele-
graph with the postal system. Cheap tele'
graphing in this progressive age is a desid
eratum, but we can't say that we exactly IA
yor the aggregation of power, (Which it
might be made) in the capital of the coun.
try, however much the Presidents boasts of
its rapid growth.
He lauds the condition of our foreign re-
lations, though squirting at the possession
of Cuba, with slur on poor Catacazy for
saying that he drank, or was drunk, or
would get drunk Or something Of the kind
and acknowledgements that he and his poll.
ey in Corea was an egregious failure, hoping
it to be smoothed off by the British Ameri.
can Commission being big thing.
Polygamy comes in for its portion. He
intends to suppress it but don't know what
to do with the extra wives and children and
asks Congress if it does. We opine that
Congress will say it don't.
He recommends the promotion for merit
instead Of seniority in the navy, which
every body will assent to, unless the effect
Of the British American commission is te
do away With all future wars and ''broad
Sides useless. He concludes by favorirg
reform in the civil service. We recollect
that he promised this in his inaugural and
didn't do it, and nov trying to lay the
blame Gu those who recommend persons for
position, we can not think he intends to re.
form the service In fact, if all is true thai
is said, the reform movement must needs
commence in tie Executive household-ano
with the President himself, to be effectual
After reading the message as whole
we can only conclude that the bungline
thing Was gotten up solely in the view Of
taking the wind out of the sails of all opposi-
lion to Grant for the next Presidency, and
sbas some of bis advises allowed the mega
live and ill-shaped production to 60 forth
to ensure his defeat for the next Presidential
nomination Of the party. It is like nothing
under the Sun, except the Presidents
speeches in Maine, when he eloquently re,
marked, II was with you last year, am
glad to sec you all WE'LL expect to be
with you next year.