The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-04
Hayeu, FIRST Annual aEessage.

ssue, the Presidents message to Congress,
which is quite lengthy and treats Of several
important national topics.
The President very naturally opens up
with presentation of what he has done in
regard to his so-called Southern policy.
and felicitates himself that it has worked
well, that the Southern States have peace,
and that the industries of that section of
the Country are being developed in man
ner truly encouraging.
As further step in the development
of this great "conciliatory police" he adds
a few expressions of exalted. and paternal
advice to those to whom heretofore the
"colored people have sustained the relation
''of bondmen," to legislate kindly in their
behalf, and to avoid treating them in any
manner which shall contraYene their en-
joyment of every constitutional right; and
expresses the belief, that this being done,
the restoration of harmony will surely be
attained and the bloody shirt be forever
buried.
His intention to use all his authority to
this end he declares is very earnest, and
he invokes the cordial cooperation of
everybody else, including the obdurate
Republican Senators and the potent host
of Post-Masters, to assist him in his glori-
GUS work. With the elimination of this
political "Banquo" from the arena of ma
tional contention he feels assured we
may safely hope to hand down our free
institutions of the government uDimpaired
Ito the generations that will succeed US. y
Having pointed out the way in which
the salvation of the Country may be effect
ually attained, and the manner In which
the dangers that have so ominiously threat
ened the tranquility and prosperity of th'
Country under his immediate predecessor
! may be avoided, he passes from thi
transcendent topic to the consideration o
such minor subjects as Resumption
RECOMMENDATION of Silver, Civil Servic'
reform, foreign relations, Indian affairs
and the blessings of common school educa
cation.
In regard to resumption his views ar
positive and out spoken; the policy of re
sumption should be pursued by ever.
suitable means and 40 legislation woult
''be wise that woulddisparage the import
''ance or retard the attainment of that re
suit" To alleviate tie rugged hardship
of such an apparently stern necessity a
absolute resumption might prove, and t
soften the rigor Of such an ultra measure
he comedies that it might perhaps be we
to remonetze silver to some extent, bu
not TO make it an unlimited legal tender
He thinks that the use CT silver to som
extent would probably afford materis
assistance 90 specie resumption. TIL
great bondholding interests are comforte,
with the presidential opinion that tn
National debt was contracted to be pait
in gold and not in silver. What partlcula
comfort the debtor classes can derive iron
the Presidents views are not SO easil
seen, especially when we note his recon
mendation to increase the tax on tea an
coffee, articles which this country does DC
produce, aud reduction Of tax upon sue
things as the country does produce.
The Presidents remarks upon the sui
ject of education are all we'll enough
their way, and of no special consequence
as a matter of national concern. Th
topic itself has been talked about, essaveC
reviewed and expounded, until it is trit
and common place even to barrenness.
virtue, honesty, morality, and integrity
: : the administration of public affairs, keI
even pace with the efforts made for Il
general diffusion of common school educ
ton, the ordinary annual cackle at
r clamor set up in its behalf would preset
/. more interesting features, and have muC
s greater claims upon public attention ths
I is now the case.
d So much of the message as pertains
: the Presidents Southern policy" W
] probably receive fuller and heartier en-
: dorsement from those who voted again
$ him for President, than from tt
s majority of his party. His viey
upon the financial questions of the d.
are neither new, nor presented
any striking manner, and the division
e public sentiment. irrespective Of part
y which prevails throughout the count
e upon that subject. will not be likely
:, be materially Influenced or affected
4 anything the message affords. As to Il
4 foreign policy CT the country, there is yeI
e little doubt the President will be warm
f sustained By the great mass of the Poop
q in any line of action which vindicates Il
national honor, or affords national prote,
ton and security. The use Of the arm
Z and navy for the purpose o: repelling a
C gressions of an enemy and compelling ,
n honorable peace, is, and always will be,
:; accordance with patriotism and the spil
n Of the nation. Their use for the purpo
C of state police, and the uphOlding of fal
i and spurious local governments, we sill
e cereIy trust has forever passed away; al
s the recognition of this fact by the Pres
e dent we consider one of the wisest al