Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

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In submitting my seventh annual message TO
Congress, in this centennial year of our national
existence a free and independent people, it at
fords me great pleasure to recur to the advance
mesa that has been made from the time of the
Colonies, one hundred years ago. We were then
n people numbering only three millions. Now we
number more than forty millions Then industries
were confined almost exclusively to the tillage of
the soil Now manufactures absorb much of the
labor of the country.
Our liberties remain unmpaired; the bondsmen
have been freed from slavery; we have become
possessed Oft the respect if not the friendship, of
all civilized nations. Our progress has been great
In all the arts. in science agriculture, commerce,
navigation, mining, mechanics, law, medicine, &c,
and in general education the progress is likewise
encouraging. Our thirteen States have become
thirty-eight. Including Colorado, which has taken
the inltiatory steps to become a State) and eight
Territories, including the Indian Territory and
Alaska, and excluding Colorado-makinga terri
tory extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
On the South we have extended TO the Gulf of
Mexico. and in the West from the Mississippi to
the Pacific.
One hundred years ago the cottOn-gin, the
steamship the railroad. the telegraph, the reap
ing, sewing and modern printing machines, and
numerous other inventions of scarcely less value
to our business and happiness were entirely un-
known.
In 1870 manufactures scarcely existed even in
name in all this vast territory In 1870 more than
100000 of persons were employed in manufac-
tories, producing than 81 100 600, 600 of pro-
ducts in amount annually-neary equal to our
national debt. From nearly the whole of the pop
uatiOn Of 1910 being engaged in the one occupation
of agriculture, in 1870, numerous and diversified
had become the occupation of our people, that less
than six millions out of more than forty millions
engaged. The extraordinary effect pro-
duced in our country by resort to diversified Oc-
equations has built "a market for the products OF
fertile lands distant from the seabOard and the
markets Of the world.
The American system of locating various and
extensive manufactures next TO the pillow and the
pasture. and adding connecting railroads and
steamboats, has produced in our distant interior
country result noticeable by the intelligent por
lions of all commercial nations. The ingenuity
and skill of American mechanics have been dem
Onstrated at home and abroad In manner most
hattering to their PRIDE But for the e1tra0rdi-
nary genius and ability of our mechanics the
achievements of our agriculturists, manufacturers
and transporters throughout the country would
have been impossible of attainment.
The progress of the miner has also been great
OF coal our production was small; now many mil
lions of tons are mined annually. So with iron,
which formed scarcely an apprecable part of our
products half century ago. We now produce more
than the world consumed at the beginning of our
national existence. Lead, zine and copper from
being articles of import. may expect TO be large
exporters of in the near future. The development
of gold and silver mines in the United States and
Territories has not only been remarkable, but
has had large influence upon the business of all
commercial nations. Our merchants in the last
hundred years have had a success, and have es-
tablished a reputation for enterprise, sagaeity,
progress and integrity unsurpassed by peoples of
older nationalfties This good namen Is not con-
fined TO their homes, but goes out upon every sea
and into every port where commerce enters.
with equal pride we can point to our progress in
all of the learned professions
Entering, as we are now about to do, upon our
second centennial, commencing our manhood as a
nation, ii is well to look back upon the past and
study what will be best to preserve and advance
future greatness. From the fall of Adam for
his transgression TO the present day no nation
has ever been free from threatened danger to its
prosperity and happiness. We should look to the
dangers threatening us and remedy them so far
as lies in our power. We are Republic whereof
man is as good another before the law
Under such form of government it is of the
greatest importance that all should be possessed
of education and intelligence enough TO cast
vote with right understanding of its meaning.
A large association of ignorant men cannot for
any considerable period oppose successful re-
sistance to tyranny and oppression from the edu-
Gated few; but will inevitably sink into acquies-
eence to the will of intelligence, whether directed
by the demagOgue or by priestcraft. Hence the
education of the masses becomes of the first ne
cessity for the preservation of our institutions.
They are worth preserving, because they have Sc
cured the greatest good to the greatest proportion
of the population Of any form of government yet
devised. All other forms of government approach
it Just in proportion to the general diffusion of
education and independence of thought and ac-
ton.
As the primary step, therefore, to our advance
ment In all that has marked our progress in the
past century suggest for your earnest considera-
tion, and most earnestly recommend it. that con-
stitutional amendment be submitted to the Legis-
latures of the several States for ratification max
ing 1t the duty of each of the several States to
establish and forever maintain free public schools
adequate to the education of ell the children in
the rudimentary branches within their respective
limits, irrespective of SEX color, birthplace
ligions; forbiddug the teaching in said schools of
religious. atheistie or pagan tenets, and prohibit
ing 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 indirectly, of any religious sect
denomination or In aid or for the benefit of any
other object of any nature or kind whatever.
In connection with this important question I
would also call your attention to the Importance
of correcting evil that If permitted To continue,
will probably lead to great trouble in our land be-
fore the close of the nineteenth century 1t is the
accumulation of vast amounts of untaxed church
property.
In 1850, / believe, the church property of tho
United States. which paid no tax, municipal or
State, amounted to about SS3 0o0, 000 In 1850 the
amount had doubled in 1S75it is about 81 90 o o.
eco. BY 1900 without check it is safe to say this
property will reach sum exceeding So 600 900 600.
SO vast sum receiving all the protection and
bene6ts Of government, without bearing its pro-
portion of the burdens and expenses of the same.
will not be looked upon aequiescently by those
who have TO pay the taxes. In growing coun-
try, where real estate enhances rapidly with
time as in the United States, there is scarcely a
limit to the wealth that may be acquired by cor
porations, religious otherwise, if allowed to
tain real estate without taxation. The contem-
plati0n of so vast a property as here alluded to
without taxation may lead to sequestration, with
out constitutional authority and through blood.
would suggest the taxation of all property
equally, whether church or corporation, exempt
ing only the last resting place of the dead, and,
possibly, with proper restrictions, church edtces.
Our relations with most of the foreign powers
continue on a satisfactory and friendly footing.
Increased intercourse, the extension of COM
merce 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 correspondence of the Department of State
with our diplomatic representatives abroad is
transmitted herewith.
by the General Cortes of Portugal, proclaimed
since the adjournment of Congress, for the abol-
tion Of servitude in the Portuguese colonies. 1t is
TO be hoped that such legislation may be another
step toward the great contamination when no
man shall be permitted, directly or indirectly,
under any guise, excuse, or form of law, TO hold
HIS fellOw-man in bondage l am of opinion also
that il is the duty of the United States.
tributing toward that end and required by the
spirit of the age in which we live TO provide by
suitable legislation that no citizen of the United
States shall hold slaves as property in any other
country or be interested therein.
Chilli has made reparation In the case of the
whaleship Good Return seized without sufficient
Sad 81 S years ago though she
NAL was never acquesced in by this Government,
and the justice of the claim has been earnestly
contended for that 1t has been gratifying that she
should have at last aeknow lodged it.
The arbitrator in the case of the United States
steamer Montijo, for the seizure and detention of
which the Government of the United States of
Columbis held accountable, has decided in
favor Of the claim. This decision has settled a
question which has been pending for several
years and which, while il continued open, might
more or less disturb the good understanding
which IL is desirable should be maintained be-
tween the two Republics.
A reciprocity treaty with the King of the Ha-
waiian Islands concluded some months since
As il contains stipulation that ii shall not take
effect until Congress shall enact the proper legis-
lation for that purpose copies of the instrument
herewith submitted in order that, If such
should be the pleasure of Congress. the necessary
legislation upon the subject may be adopted.
In March last an arrangement was made through
Mr. Gushing, our Minister in Madrid, with the
Spanish Government for the payment of the latter
10 the United States of the of eighty thousand
dollars in coin for the purpose of the relief of the
families or persons Of the ships company and GER
tain passengers of the "Eirginius." This sum was
10 have been paid In three installments, at two
months each. II is due TO the Spanish Govern
ment that should state that the payments were
fully and spontaneously anticipated by that Gov
eminent. and that the whole amount paid
within but a few days more than two months from
the date of the agreement copy of which is here
with transmitted. In pursuance of the terms of
the adjustment, have directed the distribution
of the amount among the parties entitled thereto,
including the ships company and such af the pas
sengers as were American citizens. Payments are
made accordingly, on the application of the par
thereto