Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-12-14
The Presidents Messane.

The annual Message of President Grant
was read to both Houses OF Congress 4
week ago to-day. 1t is a somewhat
lengthy document; sut no more so than
the necessity of the case required. The
great and varied interests OF the United
States relating to home and foreign
affairs, cannot be represented, discussed,
and administered without time and space.
Each of our readers will have an oppor-
tunity TO see and understand the opinions
and recommendations therein contained,
as the Message entire is printed in this
number.
As general rule the Message gives
general satisfaction to the whole country.
This satisfaction is not, however, univer-
sal, even among Republicans. There
are those who would have rejoiced 10 see
something said about civil service REFORM
practicable or impracticable. II there IS
something practicable in such measure,
it is desirable. Bn. it such . reform was
attempted, with SIMPLY the effect 10 keep
a set OF individuals and families in office,
and in The line OF onice-secured by COM
petitive exsmination-with more regard
10 intellectual than moral qualification, 1t
would prove no better than the present
method; while il q Replblic such
course is liable to lead to nePoIism and
injurious combinations OF wealth and So
eial rank. II to the yictOrs in party
belong the spoils-:o them also belong
responsibility.
On the Cuban question the people OF
this country are considerably divided.
There are those who desire Cuban annex
alton or Cuban independence At the ex-
pense Of war. There IS another and
larger class. who. at the present time.
prefer to allow her people to struggle and
fight desperately, assisted by the parent
country, rather than Interfere. The peace
policy. in Difference to the opinions 9th
latter class is the policy Of The President.
The question is however. some THAT IN
determined in the Message. and some
thing more is promised soon under such
contingencies as may arise in the near
future.
The recommendations OF the Message
generally, for home ah4irs will receive
the hearty endorsement OF the people.
Those concerning the Currency and the
management OF the Indians are especially
judicious. Those concerning the CON-
mon school and the taxation Of church
property will meet with violent opposition
from some quarters. and will stir up the
angry passions Of zealots, bigots and sec.
tsrians Ga both OF these questions, in
accordance wiki modern progress and
civilization, there cannot be q doubt how
the people stand. They will not permit
the Constitution OF the country to pro-
vide fortwo parties based on two versions
OF the Bible. nor for schools established
on : similar foundation; nor will they
allow church lands and costly edifces 10
obsorb vast treasures. without taxation,
TO become another Mexico, mis- governed
By saeerdotal influences. The time to
settle the universal principles Of common
education snd free them from all faint OF
ssctArianism. superstition or foreign con-
troll is nog. Let il be done.
The opposiiion-lhe Democracy. are
dissatisfied with various parts of the
Message. That scrutinizing. fAr-seeing
and patriotic class OF men declare that the
Message is not sufficiently elegant IN
diction that Il IS not sufficiently broad
and comprehensive; and that its recon-.
mendatio1s have no clearnes5 or force.
Others say thas Mr. Fish has told the
President what TO say and he has said i.
This is Of course the same old carping
that formerly denied President Jackson
the ability 70 write his messages. These
mea always see good or bad where they
scill, and never have the good sense to
estimate things as they really exist.
The Message 10 its geseral tone and
recommendation has tendency to pro-
mote the peace, progress and Union OF
the nation, and will give satisfaction 10
81 patriotic men.