The Van Buren press., 1874-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, December Z.

prOHt because as many theories Woulu Dc al
vanccd as there would be independent wri-
tiers, who expressed their own views. With
out bearing upon the subject-wi without indu-
ging In theories as TO the cause Of this pros
trotion. will only call your attention to the
fact, and one question as to which it would
seem there should be no disagreement. Du-
ring this prostitution, two essential elements
Of prosperity have been most abundant; la
Dor ana capital have been largely employs ed |;
where security has been undoubted. capital
has been att;tinable at very moderate rates
where labor has been wanted 1t has been
found in abundance at cheap rates. compared
with what the nccessarics and comforts of
life could be purchased for. and the wages
demanded. These two elements of success.
therefore. have not been denied us. A third
might be added-our soil and climate are un-
equaled within the limits of any contiguous
territory under one nationality. for its vari-
eties of products to feed and clothe the peo-
pie. and in the amount of surplus to spare to
feed less favored of people. Therefore with
these facts in view. it seems to me that wise
craftsmanship at this session of congress
would dictate ignoring the past and direct
ing in proper channels these great elements
of prosperity to any people. Debt abroad is
the only element that can, with always Il
sound currency. enter into our affairs to cause
any continued depression in the industries
and prosperity of our people.
HOW WE GOT in DEBT.
A great conflict for national existence
made necessary for temporary purpose the
raising of large sum of money from what
ever source attainable. In the wisdom Of con-
gress and do not doubt their wisdom in the
premises regarding the necessity of the times.
to devise system of national currency which
it proved to be impossible to keep on par
with the recognized currency of the civiliz-
ed world. This bcgat spirit Of speculation
in, diving an extravaganza and luxury not
required for the happiness and prosperity of
our people. and involving, both directly and
indirectly, foreign Indebtedness. The cur
rency. being Of II fuctuatng value, it was
therefore unsafe to hold it for a legitimate
requiring money, and it became Il
subject of speculation in itself. These two
cases however. have involved us in foreign
contracted In good faith by
both borrower and lender, which should be
paid in coin and according to the bond agreed
upon. The debt was contracted in gold or
its equivalent. and the good faith of the gov
ernmrut cannot be violated towards these
creditors without national disgrace.
HOW TO GET OUT OF DEBT.
lie thinks the first step necessary to secure
the payment of our foreign debt is to have
our currency good wherever civilization
reigns; which. If it becomes superabundant
here. will readily find market elsewhere.
Gold and silver are the recognized mediums
Of exchange the civilized world over, and to
this we should return. with the least practical
BILE delay; and to this end calls the especial
attention of congress. believing there can be
no pros porous or permanent rival business
until defined policy looking to that end is
adopted.
THE BANK QUESTION.
On this subject the president dwells and
urges its importance at great length, and
also upon the relations of labor and capital.
showing that the latter cannot thrive without
the other. and the decentralization of the for
ner must damage the latter. In regard to
the volume of currency necessary to conduct
the business interests of the country. he says
it is unsafe to leave the settlement of this
question to congress. the secretary of the
or the executive. The people can
best decide this Congress should make reg
ulationS under which banks may exist but
.hould not make banking monopoly. This
subject j. treated fully and its Importance is
by introducing it at the beginning
)f the message.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
He then refers to our foreign relation which
are reported 10 be in "A healthy condition. with
trifling exceptions, and relates the progress
made in the settlement of the Alabama
claims. He refers to the tact that the Cubans
have continued in revolt against Spain for
five wears pnd says this fact may cause 9th
sr powers to take some positive steps as Il
matter of necessity. He refers with regret
30 the unhappy internal dissensions In Spain.
He calls attention to the unsatisfactory con-
ltipn of the laws OF eXpatrion and natural
zation, which require attention.
He submits, in view of the ineifcicncy of
The present revenues. whether the same should
be increased or expenditures reduced. de
calls attention to the report of the secretary
)f the treasury looking to a resumption OF
specie payment. and recommending econo-
my in appropriations. and opposing "A modi-
Ication of the banking and currency blll,
passed at the last session. unless for reasons,
looking to the resumption of specie pay
mcnts.
REPORT OF SECRETARY or WAR.
Particular attention is called to the recon-
mendations of the secretary of war, to 'he
benefit of the army. than whom the presi-
dent says, no class of government employees
are harder worked than both officers ana
men. The president says that the eliclency
Of the navy has been largely increased dur
ng the past year. and asks for an appropria-
ton for the pcrfecting the torpedo boats
THE LOUISIANA ROW.
He then reviews the condition of affairs in
louisiana, and the Penn rebellion, and says 1t
appcars that the returns ef the election con-
tested by Penn. were never canvassed. bnt
from the best sources of information at hand,
he believes that the present officers received
A majority Of the legal votes cast, and with
out action by congress will continue to rec
pgnize them.
He then refers to the organization Of white
leagues and similar societies in the south. and
the attempts to intimidate the colored vote
by threatening to discharge them IL they did
not vote as directed. and says In some places
colored laborers were compelled to vote ac-
cording to the wishes of their employers un-
der threats of discharged II they acted other
wise, and there are too many instances In
which. where these threats were disregarded,
they were rcmorselessly executed by those
who made them.
understand that the fifteenth amendment
to the constitution was made to prevent this.
and the like state of things. and the act OF
Nav 81, 1870. with amendments was passed
TO enforce its provisions the object OF this
being to guarantee to all classes the right to
vote, and to protect them In the free enjoy
lnent OF that right Enjoned by the consti-
tuition to take care that the laws be faithfully
fully executed and convinced BY undonbted
evidence that violations Of said act had been
committed. and that widespread and ila-
grant disregard Of Ii was contemplated the
proper officers were instructed to prosecute
offenders. and troops were stationed at con-
yenient points to aid these officers. II neces-
,ary. In the performances of their oliiciai dl-
ARKANSAS MATTERS.
Another trouble has arisen In Arkansas
Article 10 of the constitution OF the STATE
which was adopted IN 1868, and upon the APP
proyal of which by congress, the state was