Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-12-18
Chr essfx County 9erald.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

ton in the HERALD last week, and
as We presume our patrons have pc
rused it ere this, we will content
with but a brief reference
to it. We regard it as a document
well calculated to beget confidence
an the President in the minds of con-
servative men of both parties. We
rejoice Chat this is so. We believe
with those who regard the Presi-
dent as the chief magistrate of the |
whole people, and not simply as the
President of the party which elected
him. 1t is as much for our interest
as Republicans, that he do vel, as
it is for that of the Democrats.
And so when he lays down wise
and good maxims for the govern
ment of the country, VIC rejoice.
when he treats of our foreign rela-
.tions with broad consideration of
international interests, even if 1t be
in contrast with some previous ex-
hibitions OF defiant attitudes to-
wards foreign governments, we are
glad. When he lays down sound
and just theories of finance, even if
it does show the absurdities, and
1he injustice exhibited by our silver
coinage, we are pleased. When his
ideas on this subject do not meet
with hearty approval of very con-
siderable portion of the Demo
cratic party, we are sorry, and hope
they will acquire more just views
of the subject. When he says in
substance that it is practical and
just to prohibit Chinese immigra-
ton, he says what is, in our view,
founded in an irreconcilable con-
tlict between that race and our peo-
pie inconsistent with their dwelling
together tremendously. There is a
.dissimilarity in the nature, habits.
customs and manners of the two
races which will, whether it ought
to or not, prevent their living to-
gether, and we are not prepared tc
say that they ought not to be kept
separate. Caucasian civilization
cannot absorb the Chinese, and
must whenever coming in contact
with it be contaminated by it. The
Chinese are not a plastic race capa.
bic of being moulded and shapeC
into different or higher civiliza
ton, for they are too set and stub
born in their natures and traditions
TO be influenced as most any othel
nationality is. On the other hanG
the broad views of the President
compel him to look with adherence
upon the idea that they should b.
shot down, massacred, driven from
their homes, or treated in any re
spect like outlaws. And so he re
CARDS them, as he ought to, as being
entitled to all the protection of the
laws as citizens of this country, now
and while they are here. They de
serve just as much more care in the
protection of the laws than a supe
rior race do as they are more weak
and defenceless. In the President's
treatment of the polygamy question
he seems to rise above all personal
considerations, and, forgetting the
weaknesses and passions of men,
seems to remember only that he is
President with straightforward
official course to pursue. and which
he intends to take in such manner
as TO be in harmony with the high
est morals Of the country. His
treatment of the Indian question,
and of various other topics seems to
indicate desire and quite an intel
1igent purpose TO harmonic the
various interests of the country
where they may be in their nature
antagonistic and to bring about the
utmost homogenity in the whole
people however made up. We re-
ioice to see him lay down such
sound, impartial and bipartisan
doctrines for the conduct and con-
troll of the civil service. But we
deeply regret that viewed in the
light of this Administration, as well
as previous ones, the practice is,
and has been, directly opposed to
this declaration of principles which
the President says ought to prevail.
As 2 whole the message is more
conservative, dignifed and temper
ate in tone and doctrines than was
generally expected. 1t does not
seem to have been fashioned with
intent to please Democrats alone, but
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