American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-12-13
the PRESIDENTS NESS AGE.

his OOcument Tcdcueu us 100 idte
|r any comments in Onr last issue,
nd even at the risk of being con
dered tardy, we can not suffer 1t
pass unnoticed. After careful
erusal of the message, and with
lind as free from prejudice as We
Re capable OF exercising, we are
bnstrained to say that it is any
hing but satisfactory. We find
bthing in it to indicate the Presi-
ent's future policy towards the
Duth. What we most desired to
BE, and what our people are par
enlarly interested in, has been en-
rely ignored. General Grant seems
uch more concerned about the
ell-being of foreign nations than
Is own, especially of that portion
hOwn as the Southern States. We
hve searched in vain for that en-
Urged and comprehensive states
|anship which should characterize
document Of the kind. 1t is, with
BIT doubt, the lamest and most i'm
brcnt States-paper that ever ema-
hted from a President of the Uni
Id States, and shows the utter in
bmpetency of Grant to preside
yer the destinies of a great nation.
lis financial scheme is simply alb
hid, and must subject him to the
dicule of every intelligent busi-
Pss man who may read the evil
encc of his stupidity in matter
such vital importance.
His favorite theory of a despotic
bvernment crops out in his recon-
endaticn of a Constitutional a
endment giving to the President
be power to veto any part of a bill
lat may not meet his approval,
hd of sanctioning such other parts
in his judgment may seem right
pd proper. Let this suggestion be
lrried out, and the day will soon
hwn when the whole Legislative
PntrOl of the government will be
dged in the hands of the Presi
bnt, and the proud freemen Of this
pasted Republic become the mere
hppets of an imperial power.
be message contains other sugges
Dus of like tendency, and which
nst excite the just indignation of
kery patriot in the land. His en-
brsement Of tue infamous Wash
gton Ring, composed, as it is, of
number of the most corrupt men
that GOd-aband0ned city, is in
Frfect keeping with other acts of
b immaculate Highness,a and shows
8 utter want of moral integrity, as
ell as his supreme contempt for
nblic opinion.
As before stated, we find nothing
the message to inspire hope or
icit confidence. Not a word does
contain condemnatory of the
tedit Mobelier swindle and back
lab fraud not a word about the
archy and oppression under which
0r Louisiana groans; not IA. sylla-
e about the murderous conduct of
brutal soldiery in Grant parish;
pr, indeed, anything concerning
at section of our common country
bich has been crushed and tram
ed upon by the minions of his
wer. 1t was due the Southern
ople that his future policy should
we been foreshadowed in the mes
ge; but this was not his purpose,
ID now we are left in doubt and
lcertainty on a subject in which
+ most vital interests are in
lived.
Grant never had proper concep-
IN of the duties and obligations
the Chief Magistrate of "A nation
freemen. He has pursued the
me policy toward them that he
|uld toward the troops of an army,
erlOoking the great fact that a wide
ference exists between them. The
dier, for consideration, gives
nself up to service more pain
and dangerous than that of the
pst abject subject of dtspotic rule.
bring his term of enlistment he is
pere slave. having sold his free
% for price. He is but com
nent part of a stupendous ma
ne, under the absolute control
the will of his chief. Being thus
rested of all liberty, without
estiOn or remonstrance, he may
marched up to the lannon's
nth, where with life may be lost
hope of subsequent redemption
freedom.
A military commander, by this
y system Of government. is apt
become despOt, and few, com
ratively, fail to exercise the row
thus conferred upon them. The
ubIe with Grant is, that he wants
control this great nation Of free
n by the same arbitrary rules I
t obtain in the army, forgetting