Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-12-12


December 10, 1873.
Dear Wirert -
The Presidents message
was well received by the public generally,
and the comments by the press are fat.er-
ing to General Grant. Indeed, it is the
most fl1porant document ever presented
by this ADMINISTRATION, and the tone of it
proves that he Executive has the right feel
ing toward he arhG,e people, and that he
has no polcy TO dictate to them.n
His handing of our difficulties with
Spain STAINS him as real statesman,
and shows lis familiarity with the laws and
treaties govrning such transactions. He
had the power to make himself a Cesar
but,a as tru, Republican, he had no thought
Of oelf, ana hFo"ins aside the temptation
OF recelvlngnomentary applause he admin
istered the lws as laid down by the Con
stitution, AM settled the case of the Vir-
! ginius withot resort to arms. A President
/ less strong irthe confidence of the country
would have undoubtedly appealed to the
passion of tn hour, and made the crowd on
| the street cCneIs cheer aLl wave their
hats. That lie has not done so, .hat he hos
| not used thestage tricks of the mere polili-
clan, but cotentcd himself with the piuin.
unvarnishedtale of what has and may La
done, will wa for him the approval of all
whose appr0al is worth more than the fleet
! inc huzzas the crowd. The following
paragraph finn the message gives the whole
settlement il u nutshell
"It is wll.estabished principle assert
ed by the United States from the beginning
of their national independence, recognized
( by Great Brain and other maritime Pow
/ ers, and STATED by the Senate in resolution
I passed unanimously on the 10th OF June,
| 1858, that american vessels on the high
seas. in time o. peace, bearing the Ameri-
can flag, remain under the jurisdiction Of
the country to which they belong; and,
therefore, any visitation, molestation or
detention of such vessel by force, or by the
nbWpition of force on the part OF foreign
6f thn irnip derogation of the sovereignty
storotion of tbo VI, - this principle the re-
er of the curvivors OF her 'pdd the surrend,,
crew, and due reparation to the 1aSS anu a. !
| the punishment of the authorities who haG
been guilty Of the illegal acts of violence
were demanded. The Spanish Govern
mcnt has recognized the justice of the de-
mand, and has arranged for the immediate
delivery of the vessel, and for the surrender
| of the survivors ofpassengers and crew, ,and
| for salute to the flag, and for proceedings
! looking to the punishment of those who
may be proved to have been guilty of illega
acts Of violence towards citizens of the
! United States, and also towards indemnify.
/ ing those who may lie shown to be entitled
! to indemnity"
A great many persons yet apprehend
war, not with Spain exactly, but with
some of her subject. The hot headed Gu
! bans are somewhat pompous, and use q
vast amount of bragadocia, but when the
] ;c E,rt ha ,,;, In,
quietly "simmer down." and that vesse
will be allowed to be towed from Havana
by one of our ships of war. Everything
is quiet along the line" now, and the wal
cloud is fast receding from us.
The Speaker was quite successful in his
appointments of the Committees, and gave
nearly general satisfaction. To be sure,
some were disappointed, but in so large
body that was natural consequence
Nv can't all be governors" you khew.
The appointment of Hon. John Is. Pack,
er as Chairman of the very important com
lnittee Of Post Office and Post Roads, is ;
high compliment, and one worthily bestow
ed. Mr.. Packer is hard working member
and is continually on the watch for the in
terests of his constituents and the Who'll
country. Speaker Blaine knew his worth
and acknowledged it by making this pro
motion.
A year ago wrote to you of the import
ance ola Member of Congress being return
ed several times to Congress. The appoint
ment of Mr.. Packer TO this important chail
manship proves what then said to be true
= A new member is generally put at the ia
( end of a small committee to 'hll up" an
9 his influence is as far as his vote goes.
The House of Representatives is busy {
r work on the so-called "salary grab"
a day or two / suppose they will pass bi
: for its partial repeal. If they do, to protet
4. the members, Congress should re-enact u
franking privilege. This privilege is
more importance to the people than to Il
members themselves. For without 1T Il
n farmer is deprived of his Agricultural IL
n port, the banker his report on Financ
q and the people generally of books they a
a anxious to have for their libraries.
J. have a word or two to say OF the goo
el hotels in Sunbury, for you are well suppll
with them, and TO "praise the bridge tn
o. carries me safely over" The "City Hotel
hi kept by mine host, Il. T. Drumhelle
er ESQ.,, is one of which must add my a
We probation. For good provender, wen coo
ed and got up in fine style, his tab'e cam
ad he excelled by any similar estapilshme
'as outside of Philadelphia, ani, In fact, sor
DC hotels in the city of br1therly-love mig
he pavern after it. The beds OF this hotel
nd GOOD, furniture all aew, and the cIeanllne
ed OF the rooms is ore of the features OF
ish City, Mr.. Drumheller is ably assist
tic 1y his kind lady and son Oliver, who {
sh deayor to make their house a homo for
,ut stranger
IN With kind regards,
Yours fraternally, II. ID. w