Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-12-13
Message OF the President.

In regarding this document ms q whole II
illustrates the extraordinary growth Of q
country whose system of government is
preferred by the flocking millions of Europe
to their own. At the same time its exam
pie reflected across the ocean has induced
the people to assimilate their own systems
to ours. The admirable style and tone OF
the messiage Is due 10 the personal judg.
ment of the President, its author. It de-
monstrates, 1. That an unambitious citi-
zen elevated TO public confidence by a
mastery command ef great opportunities,
may qualify himself for the capable dis
charge 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 power
full nation. The message is a very extraor.
binary refutation of the semi-alien press,
that General Grant was an ambitious SOL
cier, only intent on ripening the power
conferred by grateful nation into dy-
nasty 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 pHrmanence
of the republic. He wishes American citi-
xenship SO defined that it may not be taken
to foreign countries as passport and ex-
zen to the same protection ON the ship as
on the shore of the nation, and that any
invasion of that sanctuary by q foreign
power is I" in derogation of the sovereign
ty of the United States" He desires the
mode of electing to executive Office shall
be made more popular proposes amend
ments by which the abuses of legislation
shall be corrected and the political patron
age of the executive diminished. Sources
of economy are pointed out, public educa-
ton is recommended, a guarantee of the
liberties of the enfranchised commended,
measures suggested for the better compen-
sation of labor by reduced cost of convey
ing its products, as well as by appreciating
the medium witch it receives in exchange
for its tolls. The tax of transportation
and Of currency brokerage he wonld reduce
or extinguish. With an adequate MAIN
tenance of the national defenses by sea and
land, he has no jars of domestic disturb
ance. That he has none of the weak APP
prehensions of the ancient usurpers, is
shown by his recommendation of an abso-
lutte and unqualified political amnesty.
g. No possible danger can accrue to the gov
eminent by restoring them Gall the disfran-
chised) to eligibility to Office Even the
temporary liberation of Spanish iniquity
grows out of respect for the robes of re-
publicanism, even when worn to disguise
human bondage, and the President incurs
the impatience Of the people when he might
aggrandize lis own powers by an immense
military movement. This at least shows
him no Caesar. 1t proves an innate respect
for the institutions of his own country and
desire that they shall be planted eff.ctu-
ally abroad. 4.
These comments are made in no spirit Of
adulation. Wemay proceed, subsequently,,
to comment upon the various recompienda-
tions Of the message with the freedom that
becomes fearless friend of the administra-
ton and of republican principles. These
comments relate but to the philosophy of
the message. 1t indicates ability, patriot
ism, sincere confidence in the perpetuity
of our institu' ions, and determination to
demonstrate love of country rising lar
above the selfish ambition to promote per-
ssn,l interest at the cost Of national degra-
dation IN o. Republican.