New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-08

more popular then than now. The objection 70 IL
then, apart from its placing dangerous power IN
! the hands Of the Federal Executive was that the
schools would be of little value, unless there was
local public sentiment TO sustain them.
The Presidents remarks on the question Of exclnd-
ing sectarianism from the schools are also inter-
preted in two ways. BY they are taken M evl-
dence of his sagacity and independence, ana py
others AZ an attempt to get ahead of Mr. Blame IN
the Presidential race. He certainly does lap over
Mr. Blaine's constitutional amendment long way.
The ex-Speaker was rallied on this by members VI
the House to-day, and is reported 10 have replied
that Gen. Grant had perhaps taken the wind out OF
his sails but that he BlaineD had desire to fly IN
the face of the entire religious sentiment OF the
country. He probably referred TO the Presidents
mention of religions, athestic, and pagan tenets
as alike TO be excluded from the schools, and 10 MS
recommendation in favor of taxing church property
This latter plank in Gen. Grants new platform Is
] thought by many to he intended only az DO" at
the Catholics but, if so, it is blundering suoKe
! for il hits n great many Protestant denominations
/ which own other property than church edifces' In
the condensed statement of his views at the emu oi
his message, the President does not even except Che
churches He thus places himself on the ground
| taken by few radical clubs. and 10y some thou8ht-
fnl economists and adyocates-a measure which no
!
| field of active politics for generation 70 come.
The Presidents radical plan for resumption terri
| fees the Republicans, who have been trying TO rde
! two horses aud have tried to invent schemes for
getting specie without contracting the greenbachs
There is nothing novel about the plan, although IL
appears exceedingly vigorous in contrast Win the
many haf-hearted, milk -and-water schemes OF the
past few years. The retirement of certain guam
tity of greenbacks each month was begun by Secre-
tary McCuoch The proposition to make green
backs convertible into long bonds was made by
Senator Sherman years ago. lie placed the
rate of interest at pr cent, while the President
suggests 1865 per cent and the boarding OF gold
! has been tried more than once IL is the bundhng
of these three propositions together, and throwing
them at the heads of Congress that does not kno"
its own mind the currency question, that Is so
startling a performance But the financial recon-
mendations lave cru3ed less surprise, that would
have been felt, had they not been foreshadowed by
THE TRIBUNE as likely TO be found in Secretary
/ Brstow's report.
The recommendations in regard to our Cuban
policy are approved by every one and has given the
question careful consideration in all its bearings.
They show that Secretary Fish has lost none OF his
influence with the President, az has recently been III
tmated and they give an assurance to the country
that rs long as The present Secretary OF State IT,
mains in the Cabinet there will be no reason to fear
any rash or l-consdered action on the Cuban ques-
ton.
The following are the opinions Of some OF the mem
bers of Congress on the message: Senator Sherman
said that hc approved the message unhesitatngly.
. II IL a manly straightforward document he said,
full Of common and good policy. The Senator
was particularly pleased with the financial portion
of TIE document and he was glad 10 see the Prcsi-
dent entering so earnestly in the hard-money
cause. He did not think that either the
President or the Secretary of the Treasury had
any doubt of the practical working of his
! lSherman's) bill for resumption in 1879. He
thought the financial portion of the message
was rather bungingly put together, but the ideas
are correct The senator was very much interested
in that portion Of the message referring 10 our Span
ish relations and was struck with the force Of the
recital of the ease which would give the public a
more intelligent knowledge of the facts. Secretary
Fish had evidently much Ia do with this part of the
document. Senator Sherman had no doubt that the
sentiment of the country is in favor of nOnreligOus
school system. While he thought that there is no
Disposition 50 far the question of education il
concerned TO interfere with religion, he neyerthe-
less thought that the priesthood had better be kept
out Of our schools and he did not think that there
are two opinions this subject among the majority
of good citizens in the country.
Senator Stevenson said, in conversation tonight,
that the message was such a contemplate bid for a
third term that he could scarcely repress his indg
nation. He felt like rising in his place and replying
to it. He did not think that the President wrote
line Of the message except with view to his third
term. II was adrOity put together and speci0us in
its pleadings 81 agree with him. said the Senator
ION hs hard money ideas, but / am opposed most
slrenuousy to a repeal Of the Legal Tender act. As
to the Cuban question, have no doubt the Prcs-
dent intends to interfere. In his special message
which he promises 10 send in, he will no doubt de-
vclope his views IL seems Ia mo that he intends to
profilr intervention, and in that not accepted
/ by Spain, it Is his purpose to recognize Gu
ban bclligerency." The school question: the
Senator thought, is being forced somewhat
/ by the President, who evidently supposes
he carried Ohio on it. The Catholics he
the difference of sentiment Oh the school question
that the President to believe. Mr.. Stevenson
| said lie message il the best written document the
! President has yet sent tO Congress.
Senator Morton expressed decided approval of the
message and says il il by odds the best the Pres-
dent has written. He approves of its tone and its
general views but says there are some suggestions
| IA il which he opposes. He declines 10 say what
these are present. bat says he will have cppor
! tunity to discuss them. The Senator manifests no
DISPOSE ION to speak of the message q third term
| document.
| INFLUENCE OF THE SOUTH.
! EXPERIENCE AND H!GU CHARACTER or SOUTHERN
DEJOCRATiC MEaBIEs--A POSITIVE POLICY ADJ