The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-05
Presidents Message,

From the Baltimore american we tale the
following synopsis OF the Presidents able
and busness-like message, which was read
before Congaess on Monday last.
We had expected to lay the document be-
fore our readers in full. together with the
reports of the various heads of departments,
having made business arrangement by
which we would have issued them in sup
plemenr, but at q late hour we were disap-
pointed. 1t will appear in our next issue.
Mr.. Hayes refers in the commencement of his
annual message to the blessings of peace, pros
perity and reviving industry which the country
is enjoying; condition of affairs broken only by
the terrible ravages of yellow fever in the South
west to which he commends the earnest atten-
ton OF Congress with the view of providing pre-
ventive and remedial measures for the future
The next topic touched upon is the Southern
question and IN respect to 1t the President speaks
with much force and emphasis. He rehearses
the adoption of the constitutional amendments
and of he laws designed to protect the rights of
all voters, and concludes that in certain local
tiles in the South, notably in Louisiana and
South Carolina, the co10red people have been
overridden and have been denied their political
freedom Mr.. Hayes seems to look upon the re-
cent elections for Congress as afording the oDpor
tunity for test whether or not the Southern
people proposed to treat the enfranchiSed negroes
fairly, and he confesses that the result has dis
appointed him. He appeals to Congress chosen
this fall to examine into the validity of the cleo
tions OF its members and as for the Executive
Department, he renews the assurance given n
year ago that it's authority will be eyerted to
secure justice. and punish the perpetrators of
there is lack OF money available to conduct the
prosecutions, and the President asks that an
of the document is OF course likely to revive dis
cuSS1on OF the perennial Southern ISSUE and the
Democratic majority of the House will probably
make use OF the chance to attack the President
1t will be seen that Mr.. Blaine in the Senate, has
already moved for an inquiry into the charges of
fraud and violence, SO that the session begins
with every prospect that the old-disturbing onas'
ton will again be exhaustively exploited
The failure of the Bi-metalic Conference at
Paris, the American successes at the Eyposition
the payment of the Halifax award, and the close
OF the Cuban instruction are matters of which
Mr. Hayes makes passing mention. He suggests
confirmation of a treaty with Japan for the pro
motion of commerce. The reception of the Chi
nese ENJOYS is a gratifying circumstance. Rela-
lions with Mexico have been improved, and orr
Government and that of the republic on the other
side OF the Rio Grande are progressing toward
peaceful settlement OF matters in dispute that
have seriously menaced their mutual concord.
Mexico is endeavoring to restrain her turbulent
citizens from ralding across the border and the
Administration looks on every effort with favor as
Their negotiations with foreign powers have been
confined to fostering commercial relations with
Brazil and and the republics OF South and Central
America and to acting in arbitration upon the
boundary dispute between the Argentine Repub-
lie and Paraguay.
= "a e.
sumo OF the report of the Treasury, to which we
allude elsewhere. Mr.. Hayes Very earnestlv
pleads that the nance-tinkers will let the exist
ing laws alone at this session of Congress- LET
il be understood" he says that dnrine the
coming year the business of the country will be
undiSturbed by governmental Interference with
the laws affecting it, and we confidently exDect
that the resumption of specie payments which
will take place at the appointed Time will be sue
3essfuly and easily maintained, and that will be
followed by a healthy and enduring revival of
business prosperity, This is sound and sensible
language, and outside OF the Buffers and Vor-
hees factions of agitators, che whole people must
hope that it will be needed. The outlook is at
least encouraging that Congress will keep its
hands away from reactionary legislation in re-
gard to the national finances, as advances to-
wards resumption and the rout of the fiatists in
November have taught even the irreconclables.
A large share OF the message is devoted to re-
views of the other Department reports. With re
specs TO me army, the repeal Of the anne ndment
Democrats forbade the use of the troops for the
execution OF the laws. The navy is being placed
in better shape than it has been for years. and at
the same time without extravaganza. The Pres
ldent presents to Congress some important cues
lions as to the postal service-whetherthee xpen-
SEES should be reduced by excluding from the
mails matter which does not pay it's way, or
whether the opposite policy OF lfberality Should
terest in all sections OF the country where the ser
vice is not sustaining, which embrace pref
ty much all the thinly-populated and remote dis
[rlcts. The President once more touches upon
The fact that the United States Supreme and Cir
cult Courts are clogged and crowded with bus
mess and that there is no remedy except the ap-
pontment OF additional circuit Judges,
Mr. Hayes is very positive in his opinions Of
The moral obligations of the nation to the Indi-
ms ne would have them dealt with Justly and
,yerythlng done to bring them under the inhu-
nces of civilization. 1t is plain thar he remains
thorough friend OF the peace policy, although |
lie does not forget that occasionally the Indians |
an only be controlled by the army. He com
Gits the agricultural interests of the land to the
special attentioR OF Congress- and makes q sug.
sestion that a law be passed to prevent that de- |
truction Of the forests which is so generally
harmful. The course OF public education and the |