The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-23
TWO WISE RECOMENDA-
 TIONS.


 TIONS.
 It ls but right to give President Hayes credit for the redeeming fea- lures contained in his recent mes sage, and in this spirit we copy en- tire his recommendations on the ques tions of public schools in the south and the improvement of the Miss issippi rlycr and tributaries, two issues of vital import to our south ern people. How Mr. Hayes came to sandwich these wholesome re concentrations in between unstinted abuse of southern election systems and manners is 8 problem we shall not undertake to explain, but that they are thsre is patent to every one and we give due credit therefor. On the subject of public schools the message says:
 It is not, however to be forgotten that the best and surest guarantee of the primary rights of citizenship is to be found in that capacity for self-protection which can belong on ly to people whose right to univer sal suffrage IS supported by univer- sal education. The means at the command of the local ard state au- thoritles are in many instances wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to all who need it. This is especiallytruewherebefore emsnclpa tion the education of the people was or prevented in the inter est of slavery. Firmly convinced that the subject of popular educa tion deserves the attention of the people of the whole country, with q view to wise and comprehensive action by tue government of the ULited States, 1 respectfully recon mend that congress, by suitable leg islatlon and with proper safeguards. the local educational funds in tho several states where the grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship have devolved on un- educated people, by devoting to the purpose grants of public land, and, if necessary, by approprlatlons from the treasury of the United States. Whatever government can fairly do to promote free popular education ought to be done. Wherever gener al education IS found, peace, virtue and social order prevail, and civil and religious liberty was secure.
 or the improvement of the Miss issippi and it's tributaries the Presi dent says:
 The two great rivers of the North American continent, the Mississippi and the Columbia, have their navi- gable waters wholly within the linn it's of the United States, and are of vast importance to our internal and foreign commerce. The permansa- cy of the important work on the south pass of the Mississippi river, seems now to be assured. There has been no failure whatever in the of the maximum chan nel during the six months ended Aug. 9, last. This experiment has opened broad deep highway to the ocean, and is an improvement, upon the permanent success of which, con. gratulations may be exchanged among people abroad and at home, and especially among the communl- sies of the Mississippi valley, whose exchanges float in an lnobstructed channel safely to and from the sea, A comprehensive of the Mississippi and it's tributaries is a matter of trans ,endent importance. These great water ways comprise . system of nland transportation spread like let work over large portion of the United States, and navigable to the .xtent of many thousand miles. Producers and consumers alike have ! common interest in such unequal 'd facilities for cheap transportation Geographically, commercially and | they are the strongest tie between the various sections of the | The channels of com nunicatlon and interchange are the property of the nation. Its jurisdic- jon Is paramount over their waters, pd the plainest principles of public Everest require their intelligent and ,arefnl supervision, with A view to heir protection, improvement. and of their usefulness.
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 -Yhe Saline county Digest has ,een revived under the joint man