The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-12-16

January l 1877 will work virtual repudia-
tion by the government Of its own promises
to pay That we may not be thought to
strain this matter we print precisely the re-
commentator and the addenda to it. They
are in the words following -
There are a few measures which seem to
be important in this connection, and which
l commend to your earest consideration.
4 repeal Of so much Of the Legal Tender
act as makes these notes receiraJie for debts
contracted after u date to be .ti,eed in the
act itself, sag not later than The 1st Of
Jannary, 1877.
We should then have quotations at real
values, not fictitious ones. Gold ,oould no
longer be at q premium, but currency at q
discount, a healthy reaction would set in at
once, and with it desire to make the cur
rency equal to what it purports to be.
We do not think that the country is pre-
pared to go quite that length, even in or
der to secure a chance to resume specie
payments. The price-repudiation-would
be rather high, and to accept it would be
common ruin and common dishonor. The
government issued, in its time of sore dis
tress, the present greenbacks as money,
pledging its solemn faith and credit for their
redemption, and, relying upon that pledge,
the people, in patriotic faith, took them as
money For Congress, therefore, to SO
amend the act which created them as to
force them to discount, or to make them
of no more value than that of the paper on
which they are printed would be to perpe-
a ,oraca1npt
In regard to reducing the expense of the
government, words contained in five lines
of glittering generalities cover the whole
subject to increasing the revenue many
lines are devoted, and strong recommenda-
ton to reimposc the obnoxious duty on tea
and coffee, is made.
Another recommendation which demands
that all merchandise packages shall be ex-
cluded from the mails, does not seem to us
wise, ror likely to benefit any one but the
express companies, and that at the expense
of the people.
4 summary Of the chief rccommenda-
tons of the Message the President himself
supplies as a conclusion, as follows -
As this will be the last annual Message
which shall have the honor of transmit
ting to Congress before my successor is
chosen | will repeat or recapltulate the
questions which deem of vital Importance,
which may be legislated upon and settled
at this session -
First. That the States shall be required
to afford the opportunity of a good school
education to every child within her limits.
Second. No scctarian tenets shall ever be
taught in any school supported in whole or
m part by the State, nation or by the pro-
cceds of any tax levied upon any commun-
ity. Make education compulsory SO far as
to deprive all persons who cannot read and
write from becoming voters after the year
1890, disfranchising none, however, on
grounds of iliteracy who may be voters at
the time this amendment takes effect.
Third. Declare Church and State for
ever separate and distinct, but each free
within their proper spheres, and that all
church property shall bear its own proper.
tion of taxation.
Fourth. Drive out licensed immortality
such as polygamy and the importation of wo
men for illegitimate purposes. TO recur
again to the Centennial, year, it would seem
as though now, as we are to begin the Sc
cond centennial of national existence, would
be most fitting time for these reforms.
Fifth. Enact such laws as will insure
speedy return to sound currency sue has
will command the respect ofthe world.
Believing that these views will com
mend themselves to the great majority o.
the right-thinking and patriotic citizens o.
the United States, l submit the rest t.
Congress.