The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-12-14
NIloOItburg Aeglster.
The Presidents Message.

( President Grant sent his seventh annu-
al message to Congress on Tuesday, Con.
siderable speculation had been rife as to
its tone and character and on its pubica-
ton it was porused by those who give
attention to politics and public matters
with an eagerness quite unusual. After
going through with it there was without
doubt feeling Of rclief, especially among
the friends of the administration who had
been led to fear that even President Grant
might be led into indiscretion upon the
subject Of our relations to Spain in refer.
ence to the vexed Cuban question. After
taking long breath the country broke
out in almost enthusiastic audations of
the candor and wisdom Of the discussions.
Even the Independent journals had some
words of approval and they only critic.
lied in hopeless kind of way. The truth
is, it is an able state paper discussing our
relations internal and foreign, with can.
dor, and recommending with commendablc
discretion and due conservatism. 1t is q
pacific document, calculated to alny the
warlikc spirit which has been aroused
among our own people as well as among
our Spanish neighbors. Upon the fnan-
cial question which has been a leading
issue between the two great political par.
ties OF some of the states during the fall
campaign, he is conservative yet strongly
in favor of the early resumption of specie
payments, and proposes the repeal of SO
much of the legal tender act as makes the
notes receivable after some early future
day, say the fret day of January, 1877.
Another prominent idea of the Ohio cam.
paign issue, though in the modified form
of ex.Speaker Blaine's proposed amend.
ment to the constitution is incorporated
In the message, taking strong ground
against sectaran public schools, position
which must commend itself as wise and
right to the great mass of thinking and
unprejudiced people of the country. His
discussion of the polygamy question shows
him to be strong for the right and unhes
itatirg in his condemnation of wrong
His recommendation as to ocean cables
naturalization and repatriation, and othel
matters seem to be wise and well worth,
the attention Of Congress, which they ar,
not likely to get, We give below brie
synopsis Of the message, from the St. AL
bans Messenger, as cur space is too limit
ed to give the document in full
Ii begins with centennial review o
the progress Of the country, and to sccur,
the blessings thus far achieved the mos
essential thing now left undonc appears t,
', him TO be the passage Of a constitutions
amendment against sectarian publi
schools and legislation for the taxation @
, church property. He congratulates por
, tugal on the abolition of slavery, and rec
ommends legislation to prevent American
citizens from holding slaves in foreigl
countries. OHM L.-- ...-i- --r---.;.-
case of ship seized more than fort,
r years ago; an award has been give
3 against the United States of Columbia 70
the seizure of an American steamer Gv
or six years ago, and Spain has paid tn
Virginius indemnity. He deplores tn
war in Cuba, which injuriously affect
,, this country, and says that Spain make
t no progress towards the establishment o
peace but while it is doubtful if Spai
can suppress the instruction, still, tn
I insurgents have no such government a
r entities them to recognition. 1t woul
r also be inexpedient at this time to recog
nize their belligerency, because they con
trcl no seaports and such recognition
would give Spain the right Of supervision
: over our commerce under the treaty O
i 1895. IF war continues much longe
:, mediation may become necessity, and
so, the United States will be ready to re
spond to an invitation from both partie
f, to aid in an adjustment honorable to both
He speaks indefinitely Of pending nego
/ but he is hopeful of satisfactory results
d and if necessary will communicate wit
r Congress again. He says negotiations
prevent the Mexican raids have not re
: suited in much satisfaction. consequent
>. vessel of war is now cruising the III
, Grandc. Venezuela has PRACTICAL
8 abandoned her objection 10 paying he
e debt to the United States, but still sh
n does not pay. New treaties have bee
: made with Belgium, Mexico, the Hawa
ian Islands and the Ottoman Empire.
: short extension of time for the adjudicG
y ton of Alabama claims is recommended
y and there should DE a tribunal establish
:. ed, or new powers conferred on exstin
a tribunals, for the trial of claims of fol
l. eigners against the United States. II
h discusses ocean tclegrapby quite at length
and recommends legislation to p:over
g monopoly and to maintain the rights {
y the government. There have been cl
i tensive naturalization frauds, and Ii
. government has been embarrassed abroa
l. by unjust claims of citizenship; he re-
,s ommends legislation so that certificate
d procured by fraud can be vacated and ii
/ offenders punished. There should all
be law to regulate repatriation, tt
a termination of citizenship, the status
Of American women who may marry 70
Al
! born abroad.
II Calling attention to the report of Il
lie secretary Of the treasury, he recommend
y the early resumption of specie payment
lie and to that end favors the repeal Of I
much of the legal tender act as maxi
is the notes receivable for debts contracte
n after some early future day, say the fir
d day of January, 1877. lie would all
lie have the secretary authorized to redee