Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-12-05
PRESIDENTS MEEsgAcr.

L
itude to the Divine Author of all our
blessings, national as well as individ-
ual, the message proceeds directly to
q review, equally gratifying and sue
cinct, of the state of our foreign re-
iations.
Appropriate congratulations are adj
dressed to the national legislature up
on the results OF the Washington
treaty the award in favor Of the
United States pronounced by tie Ge-
neya tribunal and that Of the Emper-
or Of Germany in the matter Of the
San Juan boundary. Thanks are a
warded to the several powers and then
representatives concerned in these acts
= arbitration, and also to the counsel
and agents OF the United States, for
the spirit and manner in which they
have discharged the several trusts and
duties contided to them. Immediate
provision by law for the prompt dis
tfibution of the proceeds OF h. Geneva
award among the parties entitled thereto
is urged. The hearts Of two great
nations vii re-echo the hope expressed
by the President that the governments
OF Great Britain and the United States
may remain as at present, without a
shadow to coud their friendly relations.
Congress is urged to the passage Of
the supplementary Legislation required
to give effect to other provisions Of the
treaty relating to the fisheries, &c, the
par;iaments Of Great Britain I'd Canada
having already passed laws to carry
those provisions into effect.
Sympathy is expressed with Mexico
in its efforts to maintain stable repub-
lican government and the revival Of
the commission heretofore appointed to
inquire into depredations along the
Mexican frontier is deemed desirable,
with view Of removing existing causes
of complaint
Allusion is made to the disturbed
condition of Cuba, and the belief con-
tidently expressed that the abolition Of
slavery and the Introduction Of needfi,]
reforms into the local administration
would not fail to advance the restora-
ton Of peace and order.
In view of the growing importance
OF our relations, commercial and dips
matte, with China and Japan, it is re-
commended that provision be made for
the support and education Of at least
four American youths in each Of those
countries, to serve as part Of the official
family Of our ministers there, and to
act in the capacity Of interpreters and
translators.
With retpect to the all-inpoltant sub
ject OF the revenues and Of taxation, the
President plain y says:
q would recommend that no more
legislation be had Oh this subject; unless
it be to correct errors of emission OF
commission in the present laws unit
sufficient time has elapsed to prove that
it can be done and still leaves sufficient
revenue to meet the current expenses Of
the government, pay interest en- the
public debt, and provide for its sinking
fund established by law.
''The preservation Of our national
credit is of the highest Importance.
Next in Importance to this comes a
solemn duty to provide a national cur
rency, Of fixed, unvarying value, as com
pared with gold, and as soon as practica-
bic, having due regrad for the interests
of the debter class and the vicissitudes
of trade and commerce, convertible into
gold at par"
The modification, if not abolition of
the ranking privilege, with view to
the correction of some Of its more glar-
ing abuses, is again urged upon Con
gress The scheme of government
postal telegraph mopoly, which occu-
pies. SO large space in the report of
the Postmaster General, and which is
destined to excite good deal Of atten-
ton and discussion on the part Of the
press, is presented as suitable matter
for consideration and investigation by
committee or commission to be appoint
ed by Congress.
The President justifes his action I'M
der the recent acts Of Congress to en-
forced the rights of citizens to vote, and
to enforce the provisions of the four
teenth amendmeul, (the bayonet- cleo
ton and Ku-I laws, and the nocessi-
ty and salutary effect Of those enact
ments. Referring to the numerous APP
plications for pardons addressed to him
in behalf Of persons convicted under
those acts, he states that his action
thereon is not to be constructed as indi-
eating any change in his determination
to enforce with rigor such acts, so long
as the conspiracies and combinations
therein named disturb the peace Of the
country" =.
The message finally concludes with a
reference to the popular desire for civil
service reform, and the need Of further
legislation on the part of Congress to
render such reform permanent and
effective, Upon the who e, as an ex
hibit of the material condition of the
country and its relations with foreign
powers, the message conveys crafty
ing impression Of rugged prosperity. In
its recommendations it is singularly
guarded and non-commital, studiously
avoiding all exciting topics, and at
tempting the solution Of none Of the
more difficult problems connected with
the financial and business interests
which are at present engaging the at
tention of thoughtful minds, and which
are destined to enter SO largely into the
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