Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-12-07
The Presidents Message.

yoluminous, but like all his official
acts and utterances, betokens pains
taking care to deal fully and justly
with whatever he has in hand. 1t
will be searched in vain for single
word that indicates either regret that
the tariff issue he framed was pre-
sented at an inopportune moment, or
the slightest modification of the strong
view OF the question he gave one year
ago to Congress and the country. On
the contrary, he returns with great
vigor to the further argument OF the
subject, and taking as he does the
standpoint afforded him by the cen
tennial of the constitution, he reviews
the path we have trodden, and points
out the wrongs and the perils which
directly spring from our present de
fective national policy. And well
may he stand undaunted in the pres
ence of people who, by large pop
ular majority, have indicated his
courage and his wisdom. BY major
itv of many thousands he and his
policy are approved, and, as has
never before happened under Ike
circumstances, the electoral college
when it meets will reverse the popu-
lar verdict. The case Of 1876 was not
similar, for then the electoral vote,
honestly chosen, was III accord with
the popular judgment, but IT was set
aside by barefaced fraud The Presl-
dent not only does not retire from the
advanced position he has taken upon
this great economic problem, but he
fortities his opinions by repeating
what he before said, and adding
other views which the argument OF
the campaign developed so fully. He
aptly and pointedly refers TO the COM
bination between the producer and
the government, by which the masses
are taxed for the benefit of those who
make and sell, and he points out the
danger certain 70 ensue from pollcy
which practically hands over the peo-
pie to the protection of the rich, who
receive exceptional benefits from the
government upon the theory tnaJ
Tbey in turn will take care Of the
laboring poor. He properly scouts
sach a policy and declares That any
intermediary between the people and
their government, or the least deiega-
ton OF the care and protection the
government owes TO the humblest
citizen in the land makes the boast
of free institutions glitteriuG delu-
sion and the pretended boon OF Amerl-
can citizenship a shameless lInposl-
ton Mr. Cleveland writes with the
authority and power of a man whose
convictions are thorough and whose
information is full, and with that air
of confidence which springs from the
consciousness that the truth, ike
other great forces, continues TO move
and grow, Notwithstanding the efforts
of hereto politicians TO destroy 1t.
This part of the message Is likely to
prove moSt interesting just at this
time. 1t deals, however, with other
questions of great Importance. While
he reports that no instances have oc
Cured Of outrage or injury to our fish
ermen in Canadian waters except
such as the American consul has
readily adjusted, he calls special at
tention to the unsatisfactory relations
between this government and Great
Britain, growing out of the rejection
of the treaty he submitted TO the
Senate. 1t cannot, of course, be sup
posed that these relations can contin-
ue TO be uninterrupted unless some
permanent basis of operation and set
Element be agreed upon by the two
powers. Retaliation is all well enough
to compel justice and fair dealing, but
that it should become necessary that
the peace of the two great nations
which assume to lead the civilization
of the age should be staked upon such
chances is a reproach to the states
manship of both countries. Unfortu-
M
shoulders, for the obstacle TO a settle
ment is the variance between the ex-
ecutive and legislative departments
of our own government. a further
reference to our relations with Eng
land is made in calling attention to
the unfortunate occurrence which
made it necessary 10 request Lord
Sackville's retirement as the dlplo-
matte representative of that country.
If anything was needed TO justify that
act to the sober Judgment and feel
ing of our people, it Is found IN the
Presidents statement of the case. 1t
is fortunate our people were in accord
in dealing with this subject, and that
the great national contest then rag
ing ended at the water-llne where our
relations with other sovereigntles
begin. The careful elaborate review
of our foreign relations and the events
transporting over the civilized world
will be read with satisfaction by our
people. Apart from the Canadian
difficulty, our sorest spot is the Hay
tan outbreak, in which our merchant
men have been seized in several cases.
1t is to be regretted that these half
civilized people should be permitted
to create insurrection and revolution
whenever their passions suggest an
upheaval, and it will be blessed day
when beneath protectOrate of some
kind they are kept down by force
until the nineteenth century march OF
enlightenment does its benign work
among them. Altogether the message
is exceedingly full and we'll written.
1t is fitting supplement 10 the State
papers President Cleveland has given
the country, and of no public servant,
III this generation, at least, can ii be
more truly said than of himself, that
he has constantly guarded the recti
tude of his intentions, maintained UNI
sullied his love of country, and with
unselhsh purpose stiiven for the pub
lie good. '-BdttmOre Sun.