Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-10

than nad been eApeCLeu, DuL IL VOhSaiio
very little that can be successfully an
tagonized.
CALM AND PATRIOTIC.
Washington Post, Democratic.
Altogether the message is a calm
and patriotic and well-considered pa
per-one upon the suggestions and de-
auctions of which the country can
hopefully unite and the Democratic
party confidently base its claim to pro-
per respect.
DOWNRIGHT HONESTY.
Chicago News.l
The pervading spirit of President
Cleyeland's first message to Congress
is that of downright honesty. He has
brought within its scope discussion Of
the great topics Of national administra-
ton, and handled each with clearneSs
of statement and a business in elucda-
ton too seldom found in our State
papers.
CLEAR AND STRONG.
baltimore Sun.
The message addressed Yesterday to
Congress by President Cleveland is a
full, explicit. and well-reaSoned expoSi-
ton of Democratic views in regard to
all the more important issues of the
dap. Conservative in tone, it is at the
same time clear and decided on all
points. Long it had to be to touch
even cursorily upon the Governments
relations to the many interests, domes-
tic and foreign, Of iifty-iiyc millions Of
people, but it is nowhere dltUse and
everywhere sensible and practical.
\ PRESIDENT WITH OPINIONS.
Philadelphia Times independently
The Presidents first message to Con-
gIe.s follows the customary form Of a
general summary Of public business As
presented in the department reports.
Where il differs from the usual message
is that upon every important subject
the President has well.lOrmed opinions
to express and recommendations TO
make to Congress that are significant
and valuable. Thus, while the mes
sage is very long, 1t is not dull.
| \ CLEAR CONSERVATIVE PAPER.
New York World. pemocmuc.l
President Cleyeland'S message is Of
unusual length. But the space it oc-
cupics Is not wasted. IL Is seldom that
document has issued from the Excel
tive so fall Of information aud M
struction for the people. 1t Is free
/ from yerbIage, Is written in plain.
husircss-lihc manner, trcat- Of large
number of subjects, and Is positive ami
outspokcn in the expression Of opinion,
| On the important issues Of the hour.
The message is safe, clear, conserve
tive paper, and upon the whole J., an
able state document.
FINDS IT HARD TO CRITICI-T.
Philadelphia Press. Raiico, Republican,
The first message Of Prcsidcn; Cicye-
land has the one fault of proliNlty and
the many merits Of good writing, digni-
fed manner. elevated tone. and sound
/ Judgment on most points. If he had
cut it down one half, he would have
abridged It's yerbosity and increased 1t,
popularity without curtailng its IDEAS
or reducing il value. IL lacks the SEN
tortions directncSs Of Grant, the cpl
grammatic force Of Lincoln. and the
scholarly finish Of Garfield; but all in
all it is a yrile, sensible, worthy public
paper. On one or two points we should
take broad issue with the President
but in the main his message deserves
cordial approval both for its spirit and
IT'S substance. lie breaches well-will
he yitalze and emphasize it in practice:
A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT.
Chicago Times. independently
The Presidents message is remark
ablo-frst. for its length. 1t is longer
than any State paper from the head Of
the Executive since the reign Of Bu-
| chanan. and on this account will be con
sidered by the country as a new proof
that the President is " worker Se-
cond, for the simple, digniied, and
rather conservative style Of its compo-
stion. Third. for the unusual number
Of recommendation contained in It re-
specting public questions. Perhaps
suggestions would be the more exact
word, for the President does not as
sumo to revive the old noti0n-,o fatal
to the last Presidents that attempted
it-that the Chief Magistrate is either
the formulator or leader Of party poll
icy.
| BROAD AND SINCERE PATRIOTISM
New York Times independently
The confidence of the country in
President Cleyeland's sound Judgment
in his practical good sense, and in his
firm grasp Of great public questions
will be confirmed and increased by his
first message to Congress. 1t is some
thing more and higher than a business
/ message. Without conscious effort, APP
parently, and certainly without visible
strainng after either the lofty or the pro-
found, the President has impressed on his
message the stamp Of broad and sin
cere patriotism. Its comments and Sug-
gestlOns are many. its principles few
and the highest. To defend the national
dignity and honor, to respect the laws
! himself and insist that others shall obey
them, to punish and prevent dishonest
acts, to advance our vast material in
terests and maintain our national credit,
and to put wisdom above partisanship-
these are the principles and purposes
which guided the Executive hand in
preparing this review Of the affairs Of
the nation. 1t is the complex senti-
ment of patriotism reduced to practical
expression and applied to the business
Of the State.
| ANOTHER STRUGGLE TO CRGTICISE.
New York Tribune. Radical Republican.
The first message Of the President is
a creditable paper. On some of the
most important questions Of which it
treats it deserves hearty praise. Nor
is it to him discreditable, but much to
his credit, that it is best and most
worthy of commentator just where his
party is worst and its influence is most
to be feared. No party spirit is appro-
pirate in Judging of the recommends
.