Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-12-16

Comments OF the Leading Jour,
mails of the Country Thereon.

from the Chicago Tribune, (Rep.)
The public have been led to expect |
hat President Grants message this |
year would be the abIest Executive |
document CT all that he has prepared
turing his two terms. A careful read
ing of the e'message seems to justify the
that has been made, and a
pretense OF serious disappointment in
any quarter will be captiOus, partisan,
1t may be said in gen.
eral terms that it takes broad, com-
prehensive, national, and statesmanlike
view of the subjects it treats, and no
where degenerates into the spirit of
mere partyis:n. Its tone is essentially
patriotic, without once abandoning
that moderat ON which should charac-
terize self-government, and the swell
ing pride of review of century's
progress unparalleled in the history of
nations is tempered by timely warn
ing against the dangers that threaten
the republic. There has perhaps never
been an epitome of our growth, and
Industrial, mining, and
manufacturing progress, which COM
pretended so much in Il few words as
the centennial review with which the
President has appropriately introduced
his seventh annual message. First
among the dangers against which he
warns the people is that of the exces-
sive power that may be assumed in a
popular government by the educated
few over the uneducated masses, anu
he believes that the time has come
when there should he national meas
ures providing Tor II steady and sys-
tematic eradication of that ignorance
which betrdys the masses into the
wiles of the demagogue or the Oppres-
sion of the despot. In approaching this
subject he has carefully avoided the
expression of any ideas that can reason
ably give offense to any class or sect,
ton of an anti-CathOlic movement,
which had been foreshadowed by some
Of the Democratic newspapers.
We commend the faithful perusal OF
the message 20 all our readers, with
the assurance that they will be repaid
by its dignity of tone, intelligence in
expression, broadnesS Of view, anu
thorough appreciation of the live ques-
tions of the day.
Boston Globe, Ind. Rep
The seventh annual message of Pres
ident Grant is a document which will
be read with great interest and prOba-
bly, meet with very general approba-
ton on account of its calm and mUder-
ate tone and the wisdom of its sugges-
tions. He departs somewhat from the
we'll worn paths of discussion and gives
prominence to a fresh subject in his re.
Communications regarding education
and the churches. Every thinking cit.
izen will appreciate the iorce and truth
of his remarks upon the importance ol
general diffusion of education In q
Republic, where the well being of the
community and of the nation depends
so largely upon the intelligence and
sense of responsibility of the individual
citizens. 1t is matter of SO much mo-
ment that his suggestion of 4 Constitu
tional amendment requiring each State
TO maintain free schools for the educa
tion of all children, irreSpe ctive IF sex
color, birthplace or religion, is quite
| justified. The proposition that no per
son should be allowed to become a votel
after 1890 unless he can read and write
is also good one and could not fail Il
have a salutary effect if carried into ex
ecutiun. The States being required t
afford sufficient facilities to ali person.
to REQUIRE the rudimentS of education
for ten years or more prior to that date
there would be no excuse for any per
SOB who should fail to acquire the quail
ifications for the franchise. The prop
oSition that the amendment to the
Constitution should also prohibit the
teaching of religious, atheistic or pagar
tenets in the public schools and the ap
preparation of any money raised by
taxation for the benefit of any sectariaI
object, is calculated to set at rest or
perfectly just and equitable grounds I
mischievouS agitation. Or
the whole the message touches upOr
ali matters of present national concern
in very sensible way; and if not {
brilliant production is, what is much
better, a useful and suggestive one.
Chicago Inter-Ocean, (Rep).
In n-most respects it will receive thu
earnest commentator of Republicans
The recommendations in favor OF 9
more general and even a compulsory
system OF free education of the prohi
bition of the teaching of Sectariap doc
,
taxation of certain descriptions o
church property; OF radical amend
ments of the naturalization laws to pre-
vent frauds and of changes to more
fully define the appropriate exercise o
the rights OF expatriatiOn, are timely
and exceedingly well put. The whole
people will thank the President for hi.
enunciation of policy on the Cubar
question. As q whole the
message impresses US far more favora
bly, than any of its predecessors durins
President Grants incumbency of tn,
Presidency. 1t shows more care il
conception and expression. 1t is alst
suggest We of possible notifications anC
revisiOns at the hands of its author,
Cabinet counselors. If, as it is hinte:
by gessips in Washington, Senator
Morton prepared that portion of tn,
message relating to education and tax
alton of church property, neither tn.
Indiana Senator nor the President neeo
be ashamed OF the joint job.
Hartford Conn Courant, Rep.)
President Grants seventh annua
message will add to his reputation as
thoughtful and judicious chief execu
tive. 1t Is some What remarkable thai
the State papers of a man of no legisla
tive experience nor political training
should exhibit so much of what may
be properly called craftsmanship. Hi,
treatment, for instance, of the Cubar
question, the most important and deli
cate questica before the country, as fal
as our foreign relations are concerned
has been from the first dispassionate
and in accordance with the soundest
reason, despite the pressure which has
been brought to bear in favor of an op
pOsite course, and OF the temptations
which an aggressive policy would offeI
to an ambitious man of military taste,
and training. No State paper has evel
been presented to an American Con.
gresshnore cOmmendable in its tone
and temper than that portion of the
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