Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-12-15
Svnopsis Of the Presidents Message

III the NtuNtblllil VI pbA MAXIMUM
existence as "a free and Independent
people, it affords me great pleasure tore
cur to the advancement that has been
made from the time of the colonies,
one hundred years ago. We were then
a people numbering only three mill
lions, now we number more than forty.
Then industries were confined almost
exclusively to the tillage of the soil,
now manufactures absorb much of the
labor of the country. Our liberties re-
main unimpaired, the bondsmen have
been freed from slavery, and we have
become possessed of the respect ii not
the friendship of all civilized nations.
Graphic aud well wOrded details
follow.
INSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SUG-
GEsTED.
The President earnestly recon.
mends that a Constitutional Amend
ment be submitted to the Legislature,
making 1t the duty of each State to
establish and forever maintain free
public schools adequate to the educa-
Iion of all children In the elementary
branches within their respective linn.
its, irrespective of sex, color, birth
place or religion; forbidding the teach
ing in said schools of religions of
dkutlSllC VI pagan NNhtNot 1AN pAphhH
iting the granting of any school funds
or school taxes, or any part thereof,
either by legislative, municipal or
other authority. for, the benefit or in
aid directly or indirectly Of any reiig
ious sect or denomination, or IN aid or
for the benefit of any other object of
any nature or kind whatsoever.
He alludes to the Importance OF cor
recting the evil Of vast amounts OF
untaXed Church property, and esti-
mates that by 1890, if unchecked, this
property will reach a sum exceeding
three thousand million dollars. He
would suggest the taxation of all prop.
erty equally, excepting only the last
resting place Of the dead.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Relations with most foreign powers
continue on satisfactory and friendly
footing. The President is happy to an
| nOunce the passage of an act by the
| General Cortes of Portugal abOlishing
slavery in the colonies. The past year
| has furnished no evidence of an APP
preaching termination of the ruinOus
I conflict which has been raging for sew
4 en- years in Cuba. The same disregard
1 of the laws of civilized warfare and the
/ Just demands 0f humanity which have
heretofore called forth expressions of
condemnation from the nations Of
christendom have continued to black
en- the sad scene. Desolation, ruin and
pillage are pervading the rich fields of
Il one of the most fertile and productive
regions of the earth, and the incendia-
II RVS torch, firing plantations and valu-
able factories audlbuildings,is the agent
marking the alternate advance and re-
nf fhn nnntanHinn TurtiaQ fHhn
= President narrates the damage to the
interests of all commercial nations, es-
= pecially those of the United States, aud
the insecurity of property owned by
r citizens of the United States in Cuba.
SPANS FAILURE TO ESTABLISH
PEACE.
He had hoped Spain would be en-
abled to establish peace in her colony.
Because of this hope, and from an eX-
treme reluctance to interfere in the
atfairs of another and friendly nation
he has patiently and anXiously
awaited theeprogress of events. The
arMed bands of either side now occupy
he grounds as in the past. The PRESS
lent makes long arguments and con-
dudes: "a recognition of the indie
pendence of Cuba being in my opinion
mpracticable and indefeasible, the
question which next presents itself is
hat of the recognition of belligerent
lights in the parties to the contest"
After further arguments the Presi-
lent concludes: 1.-THE recognition OF
independence or of belligerency being,
my judgement, equally inadmissi-
lie, it remains to consider what course
hall be adopted, should the conflict
lot soon be brought TO an end by the
- fhnn,aalua, a. nd
hould the evils which result there
rom affecting all nations, and palticu-
arly the United State, continue. In
UGH event 1 am of the opinion that
ther nations will be compelled to as
ume the responsibility which devolves
pom them and to seriously consider
@he only remaining measures possible
mediation and Intervention.
RECOMMENDS NOTHING NOW.
ii A ter further statements he says
At the same time, while thus i'm
ressed, / do not at this time recon-
81 bend the adoption of any measure OF
Intervention" He adds 81 am per-
laded, however, that q proper regard
br the interests of the United States
nd OF its citizens entitle it to relief
om the strain TO which it has been
Injected by the difficulties of the
uestions and the wrongs and losses
hich arise from the contest in Cuba
- nd that the interests Of humanity it,
slf demand the cessation of the strife
efore the whole island shall be laid
aste and larger sacrifices OF life be
Jade. / shall feel it my duty should
hopes of a satisfactory adjustment
ld Of the early restoration Of peace
nd the removal of future causes Of
mplaint be unhappily disappointed
make a further communication e
DngTess at some period not far remote
d during the present session recon-
ending what may then seem to me
be necessary"
- THE MEXICAN BORDER THIEVES.
Abiding to smuggling through tht
= r.. rec Zone, and cattle raids on tn,
10 Grande, the President says al
pertinent OF an armed vessel on the
10 Grande for that purpose is on tra
id it is hoped, that IL not thwarteC
the shallowness of the river, anC
her natural obstacles, it may mate
ally contribute to the protection o
N harhonaan of fnaVaa