Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-09
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

President Grants message is one OF in
terest to all our people. AS the chief ruler
of the nation his words have weight In
like the speech of king from the throne,
the annual message of the President OF the
United States is not brief compilation OF
geueralities, but an able review OF the cir
cumstances Of the nation coupled with
such recommendations as he may think 1t
proper to make for the good government
of the people.
We are gratifed, therefore, in looking
over the message of President Grant at
the assurance which we there find of the
prosperity ofthe nation. We are at peace
with all the world. The explanation OF
the activity which has been witnessed re-
Gently in our navy yards does not conflict
with the theory of peace. No war is APP
pretended. The brushing up Of the navy
is but the precaution which the nation
should take even in time OF peace the
most perfect and absolute. There is no
difficulty with Spain. The length, how
ever, at which the President dwells upon
the Cuban and Spanish trouble, and the
hint at the close of his remarks upon that
subject that he may have something more
to say to Congress in relation to it before
the session closes, has an appearance
which has created some excitement at
Madrid it seems, and causes some re-
mark at home, although taken as whole
the message will bear only the construc-
ton of goodwill and peace toward Spain
The President very wisely exhorts to pa
thence and moderation in regard to Cuba.
He will be sustained by the people in
avoiding all entanglements looking to the
acquisition of the island and stunning all
measures and advice calculated to provoke
,stilities with Spain. We have enough
to do at this time to take care of our own
domestic affairs, to outgrow and recover
from the effects OF the rebellion. We are
not in condition to engage in war for
Cuba, nor if we were in perfect condition
have we any reason to violate just rights
for such an acquisition. The President is
most clearly right in his objections to in
reference about Cuba. We trust he will
have no cause to address Congress upon
the subject, and will ever keep in mind
the excellent reasons which he gives for
leaving Cuba alone.
A large part Of the message necessarily
treats upon matters which the former mes
sages of President Grant have discussed.
His views upon the currency, in favor OF
resumption, are repeated. A very pleas
ing portion of his message is that in rela-
ton to the Centennial, showing the prog
ress of the people in material prosperity
during the last hundred years. We hope
his good words in favor of the Great Ex-
position to be held ut Philadelphia next
year may have an effect to create more in
terest in that important matter. On the
public school question the President speaks
very strongly and decidedly. urging radi-
cal measures for the education OF the
masses and the elimination Of sectarian-
ism from the schools. We judge the fol-
lowers of Brigham Young will not thank
him for his reference to polygamy.
Owing to the absence of the discussion
of any new questions of oyershadowing
public interest in the message. and the un-
avoidable REPETITION Of topics and ideas
already familiar, it will rot perhaps he re-
garded with so much interest as some of
the Presidents former messages; never
theless it will be considered a sound and
able document, fair exhibit of the cir
cumstances the nation, containing many
wise suggestions and recommendations
and worthy TO be studied by all American
citizens.
The democrats are in State of disUust