National Republican., 1875-12-08

average citizen as an equitable proposition,
and in the light OF the experience of older
Governments than our own it is not I'M
probable that his allusion to the possibility
of ''ssquestration without Constitutional
authority and through blood" may be ac-
cepted as prophetic. 1t is not new topic
of discussion, however, and has absorbed
the attention Of publicists for generations,
during which the progress OF Church az
grandizement originating IN simple chari-
table purposes, has developed the most
grasping and unchristianlike avarice. But
it required Just such a man as the Presi-
dent, and Just such an occasion as the one
he has so wisely chosen, for the perform
ance of the duty of directing the attention
of the American people anew to it.
His illusions to the conflict between the
Cuban Patriots and the Government OF
Spain are filled with the strongest sympa-
thy for the former, but are tempered by a
stern sense of duty to the latter. They
will be accepted as the utterances of man
whose every inspiration on the subject is
responsive to true American promptings,
but whose unselfish devotion to duty in
duces him to restrain dangerous impulses.
There is nevertheless q determination
evinced in his treatment of it not to aban-
don the line of policy p rsistently pursued
by his Administration for the protection Of
American interests in Cuba. These calm
and dispassioDate declarations will serve
the double purpose of denying the tales of
his enemies that he intends to provoke o
war with Spain, and Of assuring the public
that the incomplete negotiations with that
Government will be concluded in a man
ner alike honorable to the United States
and just to the embarrassed authorities at
Madrid.
The exhibit of our relations with other
foreign Governments, showing as it does
the success of all our demands, except those
arising from Mexican border depredations,
is especially gratifying. 1t will add to the
lustre which already deserveily crowns the
successful management of American diplo-
macy by the present chief of the Depart
ment of State.
The discussion of the finances shows q
firm and consistent adherence to his pre-
viously announced convictions regarding
specie resumption. No one expected any
halfway treatment of the subject from him.
His recommendations point to resumption
without contraction, and his opposition to
initiation, characterizing it as he does as
virtual reputation, show that he has not
been influenced by a mistaken popular
clamor to yield one jot or title ofthe re-
peatedly- determination of the
Republican party to maintain inviolate the
financial pledges of the Government
His recommendations regarding telegraph
cable monopolies, naturalization and ex
patriatioD, the marriage of Americ IN
women to foreigners, Indian affairs, the
War, Navy and Post Office Departments,
the Centennial, the abolition of polygamy
and the suppression of immortality, COM
bine, in addition to the foregoing topics. to
make the message one Of the ablest he has
ever written, and at the same time one of
the most important and interesting.
To conclude, it is document worthy of
the man as well as characteristic of him. 1t
betrays throughout depth of study, which
his enemies do not give him credit of being
capable Of and capacity for close analy-
sis of which his friends and supporters may
well feel proud. He could not constituted
as he is, have said more or less regarding
the subjects treated than he has said, and
if in some future communication to Con-
gress regarding the affairs of the Southern
States he speaks as plainly and to the point,
as he undoubtedly will, the American peo-
pie will give him credit for having laid
down the law and gospel of true Republl-
canism, and having given shape to the
political contest in this country for the Gen.
tennIal year.