The Portland daily press., 1873-12-03
The Presidents Message.

The admirable message OF FreSluenJ Grant
which is published this morning, will be read
with unusual interest. because of the impor-
tance of two or three topics that closely con-
Germ the whole country. The document is
somewhat longer than President Grant has
been accustomed to send to Congress; but
the most critical will find it extremely dlni-
cult to indicate where its length could DC io
duced. If it is the purpose Of the ain"A
message of the President to furnish Consre's
and the country with clear and iull aoooun'
of the workings and results OF the '",iou'
departments of the Government W se' 'oi'h
or relations with other governments 10 sug-
gest remedies for existing evils, and to point
out needed reforms. then the communication
which President Grant has just presented to
Congress- must be pronounced model State
paper. If it lacks somewhat OF the graces
of rhetoric and the polish of the scholar, it
has the merit of being unpretentious, and so
clear that the commonest reader can fully un-
derstand it.
At the present time it will hardly be neces-
sary TO allude to the topics treated by the
President; but we cannot forbear to COM
mend to our readers that part of the message
relating to the Virginius affair. No fair mind
ed citizen can doubt but what the honor OF
the country will be zealously guarded 5y Gen.
Grant, nor will he fail to applaud his out.
spoken sentiments respecting the Cuban Off
cials and the outrages they have been COM
mitting against civilization.
His timely suggestions on the currency
question and his earnest advocacy of a return
to specie paymen $, together with the care he
manifests to prevent any further imitation OF
our currency. will meet the approval OF all
classes except SPECTATORS. His suggestion as
to what shall be done to give our currency
elasticity and to prevent financial panics will
demand general attention, while his discus
sion of this important question indicates that
he has given the subject thorough considera-
ton. His demand for economy will meet
with the hearty approval o. the people, and
Is WORTHY of the consideration of Congress.
The amendments to the Constitution which
he suggests will commend themselves to the
people, when it is remembered how much Of
pernicious legislation is hurried tn: ough the
last hours of Congress. and the disgracefu
measures which are frequently attached to
appropriation bills that must be enacted.
The President again calls upon Congress to
give vitality to his efforts to secure reform OF
our civil service by necessary legislation. He
also desires to remove all obstacles to harmony
between .he different sections, by passing a
general measure of amnesty. He also shows
his devotion to the principles Of the Republic
can party by urging the passage of an act to
secure the fullest rights Of citizenship to all
regardless of race.
If Congress will but give the same careful
consideration to the topics noticed in the
message that President Grant shows he has
bestowed upon them, and if that body will
bring to the public service the same earnest
and patriotic purpose that the document in
dicates at every point, it will be worthy OF
the confidence of the country.