Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-12-08
The Presidents Message.

unable to get it all set up, and have
made careful condensation which
will be read with interest.
The Presidents introduction is con-
gratulatory and contrasts the condi-
tion of the country now with what it
was when we numbered only 100000
and had very little wealth. He then
devotes considerable space to our agri-
cultural, mining, mercantile and
other interests. He advances the fol-
lowing ideas on educatiOn:
AS we are now about tn enter upon
our second Centennial, commencing
our manhood as nation, it is well To
look back upon the past and study
what will be be It to preserve and ad-
vance our future greatness. From the
| fall OF \ dam for his transgresslons to
| the present day no nation has ever
| been free from threatened danger to
| its prosperity and happiness. We
| should look to the dangers threaten
ing us and remedy them SO far as lies in
our power. We are republic where
one man is as good as another before
the law. Under such form of gov
ernment it is of the greatest impor-
tance that all should be possessed of
education and Intelligence enough to
cast vote with 4 right understand
ing of its meaning. A large associa-
tiOn cf ignorant men cannot for any
considerable period oppose success
fuI resistance to tyranny and oppres-
sion from the educated few, but will
inevitably sink into acquiesence 20
the will of intelligence, whether di-
nt Il H. "A or N vi f.
craft. Hence the education of the
masses becomes of the first necessity
for the preservation or our institu-
tions. They are worth preserving be-
cause they have secured the greatest
good to the greatest proportion of the
population of any form of government
yet devised. All other forms of gov
ernment approach it just in proper
tiOn to the general diffusion of educa-
tion and independence Of thought and
action. AS the primary step therefore
to our advancement in all that has
marked our progress in the past Gen.
tury, 1 suggest for your earnest
consideration, and most earnestly rec
ommend that a constitutional amend
ment be submitted to the Legislatures
of the several States for ratification,
making it the duty of each of the sew
eral States to establish and forever
maintain free public schools adequate
to the education of all the children in
the rudimentary branches within their
respective limits, irrespective of sex,
color, birthplace or religion, and for
bidding the use in said schools of ire
ligious, atheistic or pagan text books,
and prohibiting the granting of any
school funds or school taxes, or any
part thereof, either by legislative, mu-
l.nicIpal or other bodies, for the benefit
of any other object, of any nature or
kind whatever. In connection, with
this important question l would also
call attention to the Importance of
correcting an evil that, if permitted to
continue, will probably lead to great
the nineteenth century. 1t is the ac-
emulation Of great amounts of un-
taxed church property. In 1850 l be-
lieve the church property of the United
States which paid no tax, municipal
or State, amounted to about $S3, ,000,-
0Oo. In 1860 the amount had doubled,
and in 1876 it Is about $1,000,0OO, 900.
BY l900 without check, it is safe to
say that this property will reach
sum exceeding $3,00O,O0O, 900. So vast
sum, receiving all the protection and
benefits of the Government without
bearing its proportion of the burdens
and expenses of the same, will not be
looked upon quietly by those who
have paid the taxes. In q growing
country, where real estate enhances
so rapidly with time as in the United
States, there is scarcely limit to the
wealth that may be acquired by cor
pOratiOns, religious or otherwise, If
allowed to retain real estate without
taxation. The contemplation of so
vast a property as here alluded to,
without taxation, may lead to seques-
tratiOn without constitutional author
ity, and through blood. | would suy-
gest the taxation of all property
equally, whether church or corpora
tion, exempting only the last resting
place of the dead.
His views OH foreign relations are
expressed as follows:
Our relations with most of the for
eign powers continue on q satisfactory
: and friendly footing. Increased inter-
course, the extension of commerce and
the cultivation of mutual interests
have steadily improved our relations
with the large majority of the powers
Of the world rendering practicable the
peaceful solution of questions which
from time to time necessarily arise,
leaving few which demand extended
or particular notice. The correspon-
dence of the Department OF State with
our diplomatic representatives abroad
is transmitted herewith.
He concludes as follows:
First, That the States be required to
afford the opportunity of good COM
mon school education to every child
within their limits.
Second, No tenets shall ever be
taught In any school supported in
whole or in part by the State, nation,
or by the proceeds of any tax levied
upon any community. Make educa-
tion compulsory so far as to deprive
all persons who cannot read and write
from becoming voters after the year
1890, and disfranchise none, however,
on the ground of illiteracy who may
be voters at the time this amendment
takes effect.
Third, Declare the Church and State
forever separate and distinct, but each
free within their proper spheres, and
that all church property shall bear its
own proportion of taxation.
Fourth, Drive out licensed immo-
rality, such as polygamy and the inn
nOrfatinn nf xvnmcn for illouiti OF %