The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-12-03
III the Union was worth fighting for it ia
worth paying for.
The Message.

The Presidents message is short and con-
else. While two or three topics are treated
at considerable length those of minor impor-
tance are but briefly mentioned. The docu-
ment opens with an account of the yellow
fever and the aid extended to the sufferers by
the Government. The President recon-
mends that Congress pass national quaran-
tine law, providing for strict quarantine of
all ports of the United States against every
tropical port where the dread disease exists.
That done the chief source of danger will be
removed, and the few sporadic cases can be
controlled.
The next topic discussed is the Southern
question, and the views advanced are in the
main those expressed in the interview pub
lished by the National Repu6tiouu sume
weeks ago. The ballot-box stufing in South
Carolina and the intimidation of voters in
Louisiana are dwelt upon. No special re-
quest is made for additional authority to en-
force the laws, though Mr.. Hayes endorses
the suggestion of Secretary McCrary that the
posse conaitatus act either be repealed, or
that the numbsr.of cases in which the use
of the army shall be expressly authorized be
very much enlarged. The request of Attor-
ney General Devens that Congress appropri-
ate $250.O00 for extra expenses of United
States courts is also approved. 1t is under
stood that the extra sum will be used for
the special purpose of enforcing the laws in
the South. The determination of the
Executive to enforce the laws is clearly appar-
ent throughout this portion Of the message.
The President believes that the power to
take cognizance of such frauds and interfer-
ence with the exercise of the political rights
of all citizens, is conferred upon the general
government by the provisions of the original
Constitution, if not by the recent amend
ments, and that that power extends not only
far enough to protect the citizen in the act of
voting for members Of Congress, but also to
guarantee him freedom in the exercise OF all
other political rights, such as assembling in
public and having the vote that he casts
honestly counted and returned.
In regard to the practicability of resump-
ton, the President is very confident. The
silver question is not discussed, he content
ing himself with remarking that his opinions
on that subject have not changed since he
sent in his veto message. The announce
ment is made that after the 1st of January
all kinds of Government money, gold, silver
dollars and legal-tender notes, will be treated
as equal, and the creditors of the United
States paid in whatever kind they prefer.
He indorses Secretary Sherman's report in
everything, beginning with Sherman's rec
ommendation that there be cessation of leg
islation upon the financial subject to give the
country's business interests a period of set
tied security. The President asks Congress
to try this experiment for one year at least.
For the rest: The position of Secretary
Evarts on the Halifax award and the fishery
dispute is commended, but no legislation ION
the subject is recommended. The country is
congratulated upon the escape from serious
trouble with Mexico, the condition of things
upon the Rio Grande is reported as improved
and the conviction expressed that President
Diaz is making sincere efforts to prevent
raiding over the border. The Indian prob
lem is not discussed aud the question of ths
transfer Of the Bureau to the War Depart
ment not entered upon. The suggestion OF
Secretary Schurz in relation to the preserva-
tion OF Government timber lands is approved,
as are also the more important recommends
tions from the other Departments, and
good word is spoken for Agricultural Com
missioner Leduc. An immediate appropria-
tion for a Congressional library building is
urged. The last topic treated is the District
OF Columbia. The opinion is expressed that
the new form of government has not been
long enough in operation to enable an intel
ligent judgment to be passed upon it. The
abatement of the fats nuisance is urgently
recommended.