The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The first annual message of Presi-
dent Hayes gives ample proof that he
has not forgotten how to he amiablv
stubborn" After all the criticism, fire.
quently severe and ofttimes unjust, to
which he has been subjected, he still
adheres to the views expressed and the
policy outlined in his inaugural address.
He shows no inclination to falter in the
course he has marked out for himself.
Upon all the questions that have at
tracted the attention of the country
since he became President, he stands
where he stood on the fourth of March.
Considering the attainment of national
pacitication of prime Importance, he
gives the topic the place of honor, and
dwells with evident satisfaction upon
the results already achieved by the
adoption of what is popularity known
as "the Southern policy" However
much that policy may have been an
tagonized, the bitterest opponent can
not deny that the showing he makes is
quite encouraging Political turmoil
and turbulence have all disappeared !;
useful industries have been resumed ::
public credit in the Southern States has
been greatly strengthened, and the en-
couraging benefits of revival of com
merce between the sections of the coun-
try, lately embroiled in civil war, are
fully enjoyed" He closes this portion
of the message with the assuring avowal
of his earnest determination to use all
the power under his control to secure
the recognition Of the political rights,
and to ensure the personal safety of the
colored men of the South.
From the question of Cancellation, he
passes to what, in our opinion, is of
equal importance-the financial credit
and honor of the nation. Upon this
subject, certainly, he speaks with mo
uncertain sound" The credit of the
nation must be preserved Our obliga-
tons must, in no wise, be impaired,
and any effort to pay the national debt
in deprecated currency must be re-
garded simply as blow aimed at the
plighted faith Of the whole people
Specie payments should be resumed as
early as practicable While he believes
in a silver currency for some purposes,
and recommends Congress to provide
for ga silver coinage" he urges upon
that body the necessity Of "a firm pro-
vision exempting the public debt here
tofore issued and now outstanding from
payment, either of principal or interest,
in any coinage of less commercial value
than the present gold coinage of the
country" 1t looks as if he intends to
wipe out Bland as with sponge. -
His position on this whole question of
finance must be his satisfactory to
all, except the champions Of dishonest
money and the thieves who go around
under the cloak of reputation.
The President next devotes a short
chapter to the Civil Service, and recon-
mends the resurrection of the civil SER
vice commission that was born and
buried under the administration of
President Grant. The recent humiiat-
ing failure of that commission is so
fresh in the minds of the people that
the project will, probably, obtain but
few supporters.
The remainder of the message is not
of very great interest to the majority
of readers. The country is feicitated
upon the preservation of peace with all
foreign nations The Mexican border
troubles and the Cuban instruction
with its effects on American commerce,
are briefly referred to, and the message
closes with some general remarks upon
variety of topics of minor import
ance
Upon the whole it is state paper
not brilliant, but eminentlv sensible and
practical, and places the President in
the light of a wise counselor and a safe
Executive