Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-12-15

I Oh interesting tOpACbt nHu ~ dDIc Nuu
Instructive In It's treatment of them,
that no citizen should fail to read II
through from beginning to end. It is
not only President Grants best Mes
sage, bnt one of the best that ever
has been submitted to Congreaa by a
President.
\ THE MESSAGE.
4 The President makes very proni-
nent in his message the idea present.
ed in his brief speech at Des Moines,
a few weeks ago, touching our system
of common school education, and the
total separation of Church and State.
He favors an amendment to the Con-
stitution similar to that recommended
by James G.. Blaine in his letter of
October last, prccluding any comIec-
tion ON the part Of State authority
with the church, adding thereto the
obligation Of each State maintaining
a public school system, free to all
races. irrespective OF color, birth
place or religion. To this he adds q
recommendation to make education
$50 far compulsory as to deprive all
persons who cannot read and write,
from becoming voters after the year
1890, DISTINGUISHING. however. on the
ground of illiteracy, none who may be
voters ut that time" The wisdom of
the Presidents views upon this sub
| ject of the education Of the masses,
4 free from all religious bias or dicta-
ton, and making it universal, we most
heartily commend. The soundness Of
his views will become more and more
apparent rs the years of our national
existence roll on.
His views upon the taxation of
property now exempt, including
church property, We also heartily
commend. .. The wisdom Of this, too,
though now apparent to very large
portion Of the American people, will
grow more and more so asthe vast
amount Of this property exempted,
shall increase. We regard both the
recommendation we have alluded to,
especially the first, as among the
greatest aids to the enjoyment of that
very religious and civil liberty which
we so greatly prize.
That portion of the message relat-
ing to Cuba, is concise and mastery
treatment of international law, upon
the subject of recognizing the indie
pendence Of new governments, and
upon belligerent rights. Evidently
this subject IS considered Of great inn
lportance from the space given 1t in
the message, and the concluding por-
ton touching Intervention and medi-
alton by foreign powers, which are
limited may be necessary, or rather,
proper, indicates the gravity of the
subject as entertained by our govern
ment, This, together with the weak
ness OF our navy, may explain the
reason for the activity which has pre-
vailed in our navy yards for some
time past. The President treats at
some length, and soundly too, upon
our telegraphic connection with the
old world He especially commends
measures in this direction, looking to
the prevention of monopoly in the
lines across the ocean. He shows the
! great necessity Of additional safe
guards to our naturalization laws, and
asks for additional legislation in re-
gard to the expatriation Of citizens,
Upon the subject Of finances, he re.
!, ipeats his well known views in regard
to specie resumption, and adds sever
lal suggestions. in his opinion. calen
lated to aid and accelerate resump
ton. These will, doubtless, be sub
iects of much discussion. He favori
appropriations for the Centennia
exhibition as recommended by tht
commission. aud speaks in commend
liable terms of the progress made FOL
: this grea, International exhibition
! He uses singing words in condemna
! Ition Of the system OF polygamy. prac
p ticed in Utah. aud loudly calls for .
law To punish il aS n crime. and Il
make provision for tlie innocent oil
!. spring Of this method of eoneubinaSe Se
!, In closing. he recapiiulates what h,
! evidently considers and, indeed, say
he deems matters OF vital importance
: which should be lcgislated upon at thi
= session of Congress, and these are hi
!, recommendations referring TO tn
promotion of universal education
/, declaring Church and State foreve
!, separate and distinct--that churcl
Il property shall bear its due proper
o ton of taxation; the destruction o
q p0lygamv. and the enacting of snc
: laws as will insure speedy return {
O sound currency. Beyond qucstio
4 the President is bold and incisive i
I, this message. There is nothing of tn
: political trimmer in it, 1t seems I
us to be the work of sount
y honest statesman having the highe'
n interests of his country at heart, an
"a who is, as il were, taking, in SON
A. particulars, step in advance, from
Mt sense of duty and right alone, feelin
that he is nearly at the close of ths
=, period when he can thus speak frol
!. the dignified position which he o
D. cupies.