New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-04
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.


In regarding this document as q whole
it illustrates the extraordinary growth OF
a country whose system of government Is
preferred by the fiocking millions OF
Europe to their own. At the same time
it's example reflected across the ocean has
induced the peoples to assimllate their
own systems to ours The admirable
style and tone Of the message is due to
the personal judgment Of the President,
its author. 1t demonstrates, l. That an
unambitious citizen elevated to public
confidence by a mastery command OF
great opportunities, may qualify himself
for the capable discharge OF all the duties
which the highest Office may cast upon
him. 1t requires, then, no hereditary
despot nor tutelary ministers to conduct
the affairs of a powerful nation. The
message is very extraordinary refuta-
ton of the semi-alien press, that Gen
eral Grant was an ambitious soldier,
only intent on ripening the power con-
ferred by grateful nation into dynasty
descending to his personal lineage. Every
| line of the message is replete with respect
| for the limitation of the law, the wishes
| of the people, and the permanence OF the
| republic He wishes American citizen
ship so defined that it may not be taken
to foreign countries as a passport and ex-
Ia fha rirht Of tho oil
zen to the same protection on the ship as
on the shore of the nation, and that any
invasion Of that sanctuary by foreign
power is Gin derogation of the SOW
erelgnty of the United States" He de-
sires the mode OF electing to executive
Office shall be made more popular; pro-
poses amendments. by which the abuses of
legisi~tio -hs- . corrected and the po-
litical patronJg- % til executive dimin-
ished SorIc=s OF economy are pointed
ont, public euuUation is recommended, a
guarantee of the liberties of the enfran-
chised commended measures suggested for
the better compensation of!abor by reduced
cost of conveying its products, as we'll as
by approaching the medium which it re-
ceives in exchange for its tolls The tax |
Of transportation and of currency broker
age he would reduce or extinguish With |
an adequate maintenance of the national
defenses by sea and land, he has no jars
of domestic disturbance. That he has
none Of the weak apprehensions of the
ancient usurpers, IS shown by his recon-
mendation Of an absolute and unquali-
fed political amnesty. mo possible dan
ger can accrue to the government by
them (all the disfranchis-
ed) to eligibility to Office" Even
the temporary federation of Spanish
iniquity grows out of q respect for
the robes Of republicanism, even when
worn to disguise human bondage, and the
President incrrs the Impotence of the
people when he might aggrandize his
own powers by an immense military
This at least shows him no
Cesar. 1t proves an innate respect for
he institutions of his own country and
lesire that they shall be planted effect
tally abroad.
These comments are made in no spirit
If adulation. We may proceed, subse-
Iuently, to comment upon the various rec
of the message with the
reedom that becomes a fearless friend of
he administration and of republican rrin-
iples These comments relate but to the
philosophy Of the message. 1t indicates
bility, patriotism, a sincere confidence in
he perpetuity of our institutions, and
to demonstrate a love of a
ountry rising far above the selfish ambi-
on to promote personal interest at the /
ost of national degradation.