New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

REFORMS FOR THE CENTENNIAL YEAR
PROVIDE soS-sEcTARLAS NATURALIZATION
OF CHURCH PROPERrY-TB RESUMPTION or
SPECIE PAYMENTS URGENTLY RECOhMRNDEp-
BELIJGERHNT RIGHTS WITHHELD FROM CUBA
THE NAVAL PREPARATIONS NOT sIGHIEroAHr-
THE MEXICAN BORDER RAIDe-THR CENTENNIAL
EXHIBITION.
WAsHrNGr0S, d. C.. Dec. 2, 1870.
To the Senate and House OF Representatives, In
submitting my seventh annual Message Ia Congress
in this centennial year Of our National existence
free and independent people it affords me great
pleasure 10 recur TO the advancement that has been
made from the time of the colonies, 100 yeare ago.
We were then people numbering only 3,0O0,0O0.
Now We number more than 40 DOC, 900. Their In
dustries were confined almost exclusively to the
ullage of tho soil. Now manufactures absorb
much of the labor Of the country. Our
liberties remain unimpaired, the bondsmen
have been freed from slavery. We have
become possessed of the respect if not the friend
ship OF all civilized nations Our progress has been
great in all the arts in science, agriculture, cont
merce, navigation, mining, mechanics, law, med'-
cine, &c. and in general education the progress is
likewise encouraging. Our thirteen States have be-
thirty-eight, Including Colorado, which has
taken the ntiatory steps To become state and eight
territories including the Indian Territory and Alaska,
and excluding Colorado, making a territory extend
ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. On the south
have extended to the Gulf Of Mexico, and in the
West from the Mississippi to the Pacific. One hun
dred years ago the cottOn-gin, the steamship, the
railroad, the telegraph, the reaping, sewing, and
modern printing machines and numerous other in
ventions of scarcely less value to our business and
happiness were entirely unknown
In 1870 manufactures scarcely existed oven IN
name in all this territory. Ia 1870 more than
100000 of persons We're employed In rnsnufae-
tories producing more than S2lO0,oO,oD OF
products, in amount annually nearly equal to our
National debt From nearly the whole of the popu-
laion Of 1870 being engaged In that one occupation
of agriculture, ia 1870 so numerous and diversified
hal become the occupations Of our people that less
than 5000 900 ont of more than 40o0o,o00 were 20
engaged. The extraordinary effect produced IN our
country by resort 10 diversified occupations has
built market for the products OF fertile lands dis
tant from the seaboard aud The markets of tho
world. The American system of locating various
and extensive manufactures next 10 the pow and
the pasture aud adding connecting railroads and
steamboats, has produced in our distant interior
country result noticeable by the intelligent parts
Of all commercial nations. The ingenuity and
skill of American mechanics have been
demonstrated at home and abroad IN
manner most fa,tering 10 their pride. But
for the extraordinary genius and ability Of our
mechanics, the achievements Of our ag1cultnrlsta,
manufactures and transportations 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 millions
Of tons are mined annually So with iron, which
formed scarcely apprecable part of our products
half century ago. We produce more than the
II.
tional existence. Lead zinc. and copper,
from being articles of import We may
expect to be large exporters Of ia 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 mer-
chants in the last hundred years have had snccese
and have established q reputation for enterprise,
sagacty, progress and integrity unsurpassed by tho
people of older nationalites This " good namo0 IL
not confined to their homes, but goes out upon
every sea and into every port where commerce en-
tcrs. With equal pride point 90 our pTogrss
in all of the learned professions
THE FREE SCHOOLS.
As We are now about 10 enter upDu ouI second
centennial, commencing manhood az q nation IL
is well to look back upon the past and study what
will be best 10 preserve and advance ear ftnro
greatness. FROM the f;til Again lOF
sion to the present day nation has ever been FREQ
from threatened danger 70 its prosperity and hap
piness. We should look to the dangers threatening
us and remedy them SO far as lies III power. We
arc a republic whereof man is good ~ another
before the law. Uadcr such form of government
il is of the greatest Importance that all should be
possessed of education and intelligence enough TO
east a vote with right understanding OF lite mean
ing. large association of ignorant men cannot
for any considerable period oppose successful
resistance to tyranny and oppression from the edu
Gated few but will inevitably sink into aoquiescence
TO the will of intelligence, whether directed by the
demagogue OF by prieStcraft. Hence the educa-
ton of the masses becomes Of the first necessity for
the preservation OF our institutions. They are
worth preserving, because they have secured the
greatest good to the greatest proportion OF the pop
laticn of any form of government yet devised. All
other forms of government approach 1t Just IN pro-
portion 10 the general diffusion Of education and 10
dependence of thought and action.
As the primary STEP therefore, 10 our advance
ment i'm all that has marked progress IN tho past
century | suggest for yeur earnest consideration
and most earnestly recommend that a constitutional
amendment be submitted TO the Legislatures Of the
several States for ratification, making II tho duty OF
each of the several States 10 establish and for
ever maintain free public schools adequate
10 the education Of all the children
in the rudimentary branches within their
respective limits irrespective OF color, birth
place. or religion forbdding tho teaching in eaid
schools of RELIGIOUS, athestic, pagan tonets,
and prohibiting the granting Of any school funds OF
school taxes or any part thereof either by iogisIa
tive, municipal or other authority, for 1'o benefit
OF in aid directly or indirectly, Of any religious sect
or denomination, in aid or for The benefit II aay
other object of any nature or kind whatever.
In connection with this important question 1
woud also call your attention to the importance OF
oorr..tng an. evil that IL permitted 10 continue Will