The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-12-12

in no instance courts popularity or con-
suits his ease by avoiding hard prob
lens. Cunning, flattery or demagogy
of any kind is conspicuous by its entire
absence. Directness, severity, eX-
plicitness and stolid earnestness are
prevalent in the whole document.
These moral characteristics are as inter-
esting as they are important. The
message is the final one of brief but
extraordinary career in the largest pub
lie affairs. That career has been one
of which the rapidity has been romantic
and unprecedented. 1t has been ca
reer as absolutely devoted in its public
service to the public interest alone as
that of any man ever called to that
service in any time, in any land, under
any form of rule ever set up in the
world.-Brooklyn Eagle, Democratic.
THE Constitution says the president
" shall from time to time give to the con-
gress information of the state of the
Union, and recommend to its considera-
ton such measures as he shall Judge
necessary and eXpedient." Mr.. Cleve-
land seems to construe the constitutional
requirement as license to scold the
country for rejecting his free-trade
policy, and lecture the people for their
lack of intelligence and capacity for
self-government. This is very charac-
terstic of Mr.. Cleveland. He is
chronic scold and lecturer. The gen.
eral tone of most of his utterances is
that of man who has devoted the best
years of his life to trying to save the
American people from self-destruction,
and whose efforts have been crowned
with poor success. His pessimistic
style bespeaks great anxiety for the
fate of the country when he shall let
90 of it. We do not believe his anxiety
is shared by the people to any great
extent. Indianapolis Journal, Repub-
Hcdn.
THE presidents recommendation re-
garding trusts" should receive the
immediate consideration of congress.
The president argues at length on this
question and the dangers from organ
lied capital in matters of direct interest
to consumers. He does not go far
enough in recommending penalties, and
is certainly too narrow in his assign
ment of the causes leading to such COM
binations. He is certainly right in say
ing that all corporations are the crea-
lures of the people, and when they
undertake to become the depressing
masters of the people it is time for the
representatives in congress to take
speedy and decisive action. The rec
concentrations regarding public lands,
Indian affairs and other matters will
be read with interest. But, with all
its length and comprehensiveness, the
message will be noted for some matters
which it does not fully consider, such
as the question of an equal protection
of tizens.-Ohio State Journal, Re
publican.
THE message is remarkable for its
length and quite ordinary in other re-
spects. OF course it repeats and elab-
crates much that was contained in his
message of year ago regarding the
tariff, but it is hardly worth while to
stop now to discuss matter that has
been just settled at the polls. The peo-
pie have repudiated the presidents doc
trine and are in no mood to have ii
thrust before them again so soon after
knocking it in the head and hanging its
hide on the fence. The president, how
ever, improves the opportunity to in.
flict stump speech upon the public
from the standpoint of free-tradel
as thoroughly demagogical and falla
cious in argument as were the marvel
Gus creations of the cold Roman " in
the recent campaign. Almost vindic
tive, too, and truly conceited are some
of his expressions, and not at all states
man-like. His whole trade on the su b.
ject of the tariff and its operations car
not fail to remind the reader that i
comes from defeated and sorely dis
appointed candidate. -Detroit Tribune
Republican.