Middletown transcript., 1875-12-11
Synopsis Of the Message.

cessarily deferred.
Synopsis Of the Message.
President Grant, in bis seventh an
nual message, sent to Congress Tues
day, INDUCES in some pleasant mention
Of the advancement Of our country from
its infancy to its centennial. and of the
nations great success in progress and
civilization Of its wonderful achieve
ments in arts, science and all the con-
comitsnts Of advanced betterment Of all
the people. And in this connection be
urges that all citizens should be educat-
ed sufficiently to cast vote with right
intelligence Of the value Of the elective
franchise, which is proposition no
reasonable person will question. though
it was not acted upon 10 the reconstroc-
ton policy Of the Presidents own party.
The absence Of such educated intelli-
eence is, the President thinks, the pri-
NAL danger to our country's prosperity
and the permanence of its free institu-
tions, and in such belief he recommends
an amendment to the constitution re-
quiring the several States to establish
and forever maintain free public schools
adequate to, at least. the rudimentary
education of all the children. irrespec-
tive Of color. sex. nationality or relig-
ion forbidding. however. the teaching
in such schools the iDculcation of pagan
or atheistic teHets, or the bestowal Of
school funds to any religious denomiua-
ton for educational purposes. He also
objects to the accumulation Of vast
amounts Of untaxed church property,
and says that that class of property in
the United States in 1875 amounts to
Al, ,OOO, 900, 900. He recommends the
taxation Of all such property, exempt
ing only cemeteries and limited edi6ces
for churches.
These subjects have always in this
country heretofore been regarded rs be-
longine peculiarly to the State and
local governments, and at no time have
they received more general and willing
attention in the States than at present.
Stating that our relations with for
eign powers are satisfactory and friend
", the President takes occasion to re-
mark that Congress should SO leeislate
as to prohibit citizens Of the United
States from owning slaves in any other
country. and be hopes such consumma-
tion may ultimately embrace citizens Of
all nations.
Chill has made reparation 10 some
long standing cases Of outrage on our
commercial marine. Mention is made
Of The Hawaiian reciprocity treaty. and
Of the Virginius indemnity, which has
been settled BY Spain.
In regard to Cuba, the President
thinks there is no evidence of near
termination Of the conflict there, and
thar there still exists that continuous
disregard Of laws Of civilized warfare
and humanity which has characterized
the iuternecine strife during the past
seven years. He adverts to the com.
merciaf Importance Of Cuba to the world
at large, and asserts his belief that the
nations have . right to interfere sufi-
ciently to establish its government on
a secure basis. but he considers the se-
cognition Of Cuban independence i'm
practicable at present. and he believes
the United Stater and all other nations
must soon consider the necessity Of
mediation and Intervention in the pre-
mises A considerable portion Of the
message is devoted to this subject.
He indorses the recommendation
made in the annual report Of the Secre-
tary Of War. including system Of an
nuities for families of deceased officers
by funding . monthly deduction from
the pay Of those officers while in ser.
vice; . return to the old system o.
mileage; an approval Of torpedo ex-
periments. and permanent organisa-
fion of the signal service corps.
The condition Of the navy is stated
as being satisfactory. It does not con-
tain much iron cruising power, but il
has considerable number of iron-clad.
Of the monitor class. which, though moi
cruisers, are Of excellent effect for oper'
ations on our coast and for safe defense
Of our harbors. The navy includes
more than City war ships, fifteen o.
them being iron-elad.
10 referring to Pastofiee Department
affairs, the President recommends The
exclusion from the mails OF merchandise
of all kinds. and the Limitation of trans.
portable matter therein only to those
articles which should be properly class
ed as mailable.
The President says that although
government efforts to protect the right'
Of Indians in the Black Hills have beer
successful, the next year will exhibit /,
large increase Of immigratios thitLer
The condition Of the Indian Territory
is practically unchanged, but the Pre-
sident may hereafter make some sug
gestions as to Legislation for the govern
nent Of that Territory.