The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1875-12-16
svno,sis OF tl,e Isresidenf.s Mes

Il Eopens WIN reference W vac ee.
Itennial year, and the progress made
by the country during the past cen
fury in population agriculture com Shs
merce and general prosperity, Inc
opening part of the message is dey0-
ted chiefly to the review of the pro
rress of the nation, and touches con
siidcrably upon the gradualextension
of territory, advancement of agricul-
tural and mechanical interests, and
development of mining resources
Referring to political equality, itsays,
awe are a Republic whereof one man
is as good as another before the law.
The greatest intelligence of all should
be preserved; intelligence enough to
cast a vote, without a right under
standing of its meaning cannot, for
any considerable period, oppose a
successful resistance to tyranny and
oppression from the educated few,
but will inevitably be sunk into a
quiescent, willingness, whether di-
rected by demogoguery or by priest
craft, hence the education of the
masses becomes of first necessity for
the preservation of our institutions.
As they exist they are worth preser-
wing, because they have secured the
greatest good to the greatest proper
ton of the population that our form
of government has devised. He sug-
gests that Congress consider thissub-
5ject, and earnestly recommends that
constitutional amendment be sub
mitted to the Legislatures of the sew
eral states for ratification, makingit
the duty Of each state to establish,
and forever maintain public schools
adequate to the education of all chill
dren in the rudimentary branches,
irrespective of sex, color, birth-places
or religions; forbidding the teaching
in said schools of religion, atheism or
paganism tcncts and prohibiting,
lending, or granting any school funds
or authority for the benefit or aid di-
rectly or indirectly of any religious
sect, or in aid or for the benefit of
any other object of like nature or
kind whatever. He suggests legisla-
ton to remedy the evil of the vast
accumulation of church property in
the United States, which at present
amounts to one billion dollars, hav-
ing more than doubled itself in ten
years.
Foreign relations with most Of the
powers continue satisfactory. Along
with the message is transmitted
certain diplomatic correspondence,
showing the exact condition of for.
eign relations
The.following is given onthe Span
ish question: In March last an ar
rangenent was made through Mr..
Cushing for the payment by Spain
to US of eighty thousand collars for
the relief of the Virgin;us sufferers
and thei. representatives, the pay
ment was fully and spontaneously
anticipated by Spain and directions
have been given by the United States
government for distribution of the
money. The past year furnishes no
evidence ofapproaching termination
of war in Cuba. Signal efiortsin the
interest of all commercial nations,
but in that ofthe United States more
than other should be made to end it.
The prosperity of our citizens in Gu
ba is also rendered insecure. Hede-
precated the absence of any reason
able assurance of near termination OF
conflict, which must of necessity COM
pei serious suffering. Considering
what interests of their people and
duties towards themselves may de
mand, the United States government
has patiently awaited the progress Of
events, in hopes Spain would be able
to restore peace, but thus far all
! SPANS et H;s..s have been abortive,
while the fact is conscious that the
insureS.ion in Cuba has shown
strength and advance which makeslt
look doubtful whether it is in the
power of Spain to subdue. 1t seems
questionable that such civil organi-
cations ever existed, which may be
recognized as an independent gov
eminent, unless capable of perform
ing its international obligations, and
entitled to be treated as one of the
powers of the North. A recogni-
ton under such circumstances, would
be inconvenient, and would causet the
powers soon to support, by force, the
movement to which it had given its
only claim of existence. In my juds'
ment the United States shouldadhere
to the principles which have hereto
fore been its sure and safeguards, IN.
like tho contest between reyolted