The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-08


We dorot think it worth while to give n
summary Of the contents Of the Presidents
message. The whole document Il h fore
our readers, aud they can pcruse such
parts rs they please ana let the rcstg
The President opens with something like
grand flourish about the Centennial.
The statistics which he gives are common
place, and the style in which he presents
them rather jcjune. All the facts are ia
miliar 10 the spiighily boys in the common
schools of the country. As we are to have
. good deal Of this sort OF thing during
the next seven months, perhaps we may rs
well take il stale-cnd foremost from GRANT.
In connection with this subject, though
In quite another part OF the message, the
President recommends IN appropriation
by Congress TO help out the Philadelphians
In their International Exhibition. To OK
pend the public money in this way is q
very unwisc policy; but as Centennials do
not come along very often, probably the
rigid economists in Congress will strnin a
point for just this once" and vote II
handsome sum. The t-grent-grand-
children of those who fought M Bunker
Hin, ana conquered at Yorktown would
feel ashamed 10 see the thing stiugily
done, If done ut all. Congress, however,
ought to see to it that the appropriation Is
20 manipulated thar II good deal of il will
not stick TO the hands of Spectators and
rogues.
GRANT next takes up educational and
ecclesiastical questions, and gives an en-
larprd edition of his Dcs Moines speech of
October last against the Catholics and the
poor old Pope. This il u cougennl tonic
TO him, and affords proof that this thorny
subject will be Incorporated into the next
National Republican platform, and play a
part III the coming Presidential camDnigu.
The message VIII disappoint public eX-
pectation on the Cuban question The
President handles it deliberately, but leaves
II exactly where he found IT. He thinks
the time has not come either Tor recogniz-
ing the independence of Cuba, or the bel
tiGerent rights Of those who have been so
long Engaged in war TO deliver the island
from the yoke of Spain; nor for inter
vcntion by the United States in any mode
whatever This portion OF the message
will please the Spanish Dons, both
III this country and in Euiopc, aud
doubtless Mr.. CALEB CUSHING as well,
our Minister at Madrid. Indeed, il would
not be surprising II CUSHING furnished
this portion of the message for good
round fee from some quarter. He is capa-
bic or writing conclusive answer TO it,
and probably would do so on call, for "A
fair compensation.
GRANT ntimates that this is not the last
which Congress may hear from him about
Cuba, and tells the two Houses that if any
thing new turns up on the question he
will let them know it,
The President touches the affairs of
Mexico with II aingcrly hand. lie regards
our relations with that power as in rather
m unsettled state, but docs not seem dis
posed to NEEDLE with the matter at pres
ent, except 70 ascertain whether the
water IN the Rio Grande is deep enough TO
float the single armed vessel we are keep
ing down there to lock after marauders.
GRANT is sound on the currency question.
He advocates an early return to specie
payments, ana is IN favor OF adhcring TO
the present law fixing the initial point of
resumption on the first of January, 1879.
He asks Congress for further legislation 10
give full effect TO the existing law. We
fancy Congress viii do nothing OF the kind,
but after wranelng long willie over it,
will join in deadlock between the two
Houses, and thus prepare the way for
making this phase Of tho financial problem
leading issue in the Presidential CAM
palgn.
To replerlsh the vaults OF the Treasury,
which stand very much in need Of more
money, GRANT recommends among other
things, resuscitation of the old impost on
ten and coffee. Under the pressure of stern
necessity this may possibly be done; but
the measure will meet with very strenu-
Gus resistance.
This is the longest message GRANT ever
Signed. 1t is not very interesting reading
and we don't believe the people will pay