The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-12
THE MESSAGE.

lSc OIL freSldent arthur, WITH PROM
Use of some editorial notice in this
issue; and yet, the. message as whole
evinces such good comprehension
Of the National needs, and so many
valuable suggestions that a brief re-
view, such as we have space to give,
will hardly do its able, and candid
author justice.
Speaking of the perils of a compul-
sorry silver coinage, the necessity of
improving our harbor defences, and
rebuilding our navy, and the impera
tive duty of providing q bankrupt
law the President repeats with EN-
phasis his previous recommendations
which Congress has hitherto disre-
garded or only partially adopted; but
which from year to year becomes
more urgent. There are other recon-
mendations which are renewals Of
past suggestions or endorsements of
views set forth in the department re
ports that are OF much public interest,
but the most striking portion of the
message is that which outlines a
policy for the extension of our foreign
trade. This policy involves four dis
tinct features: First, a series Of re
ciprocal commercial treaties with the
other countries on this continent,
with view to securing unhampered
conditions Of trade; second, the es
adjustment of our consular service
on a salarled footing; third. fostering
a steam carrying marine under our
flag; and fourth, the establishment Of
a uniform currency basis for the
countries of America, regulated by a
monetary union.
This policy is at once very broad
and decidedly positive, and is well
deserving Of the most careful consid-
Grafton. On the basis of the first
proposition treaties are already ne
gotiated with Mexico, an with Spain
regarding her Cuban possessions. and
are in one form or another pending
before Congress, and should be stud
led with careful reference to its effects
on our industrial interests. The
people should remember that the
end sought to be accomplished is the
free admission to this country Of such
merchandise as we do not produce,
in return for the admission free or
under a favored system of duties, OF
our own products, these conditions to
apply only TO goods carried in vessels
belonging to the countries concerned.
1t is claimed that this system would
open an outlet to many Of our pro
ducts, and would at the same time
foster and develop our carrying trade.
This policy thus outlined by Prcsi-
denl Arthur has many points of re-
semblance to that entertained by Mr.
Blaine when Secretary of State
1t is a policy essentially American,
and yet inviting free and mutual adj
vantagious relations with other
countries. Probably the main Difficult
ties to be encountered in its execution
would be the arranging of the details.
Just how these mutual concessions
are to be so arranged as to secure the
largest possible good and infict the
smallest possible injury is the problem
which will have to be considered un
der varying conditions in different
cases. And while from our past ex-
perience we are inclined to believe all
RECIPROCITY treaties are 10 the detri-
ment Of our industrial interest, yet
the policy suggested presents for the
: consideration Of the people definite
course to be persued, and it may be
possible that our legislation can be so
shaped as to secure close friendship
and more prosperous commercial re.
lstions with the countries upon this
continent, to the great advantage Of
our commerce and to the building up
of an extended carrying trade flying
the flag of the United States, without
doing injustice either to the interests
of capital or labor, though we doubt
whether this can he done under any
RECIPROCITY treaty with any nation
either American or on the other side
of the great Oceans.
AL