The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-12-05
he MESSAGE.

we pilHI tO-utty tilc annual message Oh
President Grant, with the exception of
some unimportant portions. To the whole
document very little exception can be
taken. 1t is Il calm temperate and gen
orally acceptable exposition of our national
atfails, and will be read with satisfaction
by men Of all parties. The success of
this country in the Geneva arbitration,
and the treble advantage resulting to us,
in the avoidance of threatened war, the
winning of an award, and the ruling out
OF consequential damages in future wars,
are presented to the country briefly but
forcibiy. The decision in our favor by the
German Emperor, in the San Juan dispute,
as another branch of the treaty of Wash
ington, is presented Us a subject Of nation
al ngratulation-as it truly is
The country will rejoice at the assertion
of the President that from our nearness to
Cuba we cannot be Indifferent to the dis
turbances i'll that island, and receive it as
evidence that the second administration of
President Grant will be characterized by
q more decided policy in respect to our
neighbors the Spaniards. The charge of
bad faith on the part of Spain in regard
to slavery in Cuba is more than warranted
by the facts. 1t is hoped that the COM
bined feeling of insecurity to our citizens
and commerce, and the violation of the
humanitarian feeling of the nation and
the world, may in time lead to yet more
decided feelings and to ultimate action.
The sentiment of the country is that
Spanislfsfule in Cuba is not only contin
ued insult to this country, but an outrage
upon an island that should be the garden
of the world 1t needs but the encourage
ment of few official words from Wash
ington to create Free Cuba, that shall
ultimately be a part of free America
The few words of the message upon the
necessity OF building up and maintaining
a strong and efficient navy should not fall
upon unheeding ears. The suggestion
that we shall soon he the weakest upon
the sea of all great powers is no more
than the facts warrant-when in fact our
extensive trade, extended sea-coast and
now growing commerce call for large
fleets and all the improvements Of modern
naval warfare. The motto Sin time of
peace prepare for war; applies to ships
with far greater force than to armies. The
latter can be improvised; the former are
built slowly and laboriously. 1t is certain
that unless we are wiser in this particular,
we shall be caught in the tolls of national
strife and be made to suffer
The President repeats the good words
of a former message in regard to the ne
cessity for revival Of our ocean com
merce, and recommends liberal expen-
ditures towards its recovery And it is
hoped now that other causes are operating
in our favor, that congress may lend the
whole weight of its influence in that direc-
ton.
The recommendation of the message
which will draw upon itself the most
decided opposition, is the one to make the
telegraph q government affair, and an
appendage OF the post office. We have
heretofore expressed dissent from this
plan, and see no reason to change that
opinion.
The firm words in respect to civil ser
vice reform with which tho masSaua closes
coupled with the recent decided action in
the Philadelphia case, seem to point to
determination on the part of the President
to observe the demands of the needed
change. 1t will be q happy thing for the
country if experience shall prove that the
old practice is to be abandoned, and that
merit and efficiency rather than party
service shall determine appointments.