Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-12-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The exceeding great length of the mes
sage $4,000 words) makes it impossible
to give it in a weekly paper of this size.
It is conservative and able paper and
is well received by Congress and the eoun- |
try. Republicans may well be
pleased with it for it embodiss
almost everything that the party
is contending for, except it may be hon
est suffrage everywhere, and democrats
cannot well go back on it, though it is
opposed to many things that the party
practices, though it dare not publicly en-
dorse
The principal subjects treated of by the
message are our foreign relations, reduc-
ton of the revenue, the silver coinage,
condition of the navy and coast defences.
treatment of the Indians, and civil SER /
vice. The other points discussed are in
structively discussed but are secondary
in Importance.
Our government is at peace with all
nations, and no difficult questions are
pending. The rejection Of our appointee
to the Austrian mission is explained on
grounds highly creditable to the Presi-
dent. The President withholds his ap-
proval of the Nicaraguan treaty and gives
strong reasons for it. The whole fishery
question between Great Britain and the
United States is proposed for submission
to an international commission. The
laws relating to citizenship and natural
ization are regarded as inadequate and
recommendations are made.
On the question Of reducing the reve-
nues middle ground is taken. The Pres
ident seeks to steer clear of both free
trade and protection and succeeds very
well. He advises any reduction to be
made upon the imported necessares of
life. What those are he does not speeih-
cally name.
The message argues the silver question
at length and forcibly, and the evils of
an enormous silver coinage both present
and prospective, are clearly pointed
out. The President recommends the sus-
pension of the silver coinage act of Feb
ruary, 1878.
The Indian question is deliberately dis
cussed, advanced ground taken, and the
appointment of new Indian Commission
of six persons is recommended.
The weak and shabby condition of our
| navy is plainly set forth. A policy for
| it's reestablishment on an extensive scale
| is outlined, Indicating that the President
and Mr.. Tiiden have counselled together
on the subject.
The message is very pronounced on
the Mormon question, and the views ex-
pressed will meet with warm endorse
ment from the country. The President
boldly recommends that the Importation
of Mormons be forbidden.
The President reserves the discussion
of civil service for the close Of his mess
age, and the views expressed are all that
can be desired. The President shows no
hating, but falls short of recommending
an extension of the system, although he
does recommend an increase of the sala-
res of the Commissioners.
The closing paragraphs relative to civ
il service are as follows
''The allurements of number of Of
fees and places exhibited to the voters
of the land and the promise of their be-
stowal in recognition of partisan activi-
ty, debauch the suffrage and rob political
action of it's thoughtful and deliberative
character. The evil would increase with
the multiplication of offices consequent
upon our extension and the mania for of
flee holding, growing from its indulgence,
would pervade our population so gener-
ally that patriotic purpose, the desire for
the public good, and solicitude for the
nations welfare would be nearly Danish.
ed from the activity of our party inter
ests and cause them to degenerate into
selfish and disgraceful struggles for the
possession Of Office and public place. Civ
il service reform enforced by law came
, none too soon to check theprogress of de
moralizaton. One OF its effects, no
enough regarded, Is the freedom it bring:
to the political action of conservativ,
men, who, in fear of the confusion at
: tending an arbitrary and sudden change
in all the public offices with change o
party rule, cast their ballots agains
f such chance"
The message ends with the followin:
eloquent passage:
. sin conclusion, / commend to the wis
: care and thoughtful attention of Congress
!: the needs, the welfare and the aspiration
9 of an intelligent and generous nation. T
subordinate these to the narrow advan
. tages of partisanship or the accomplish
4 ment of selfish aims is to violate the pee
1 pies trust and betray the peoples inter
1 estS, but an individual sense of response
!. billy on the part of each of us, and ster
determination to perform our duty we
must give us place among those VIII
} have added in their day and generatio
:. to the glory and prosperity of our be