The record-union., 1892-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Inc message OF PreSlQenb Harrison,
which appeared in full in yesterdays
REcoRD-UNIoN, despite its length, ought
to be read by every citizen. If such state
documents were more read, the broad
ened public intelligence would insure US
more rational and conservative thought
concerning public affairs, and inspire the
people more generally with greater conf
dence in the strength and the enduring
quality of the American Republic
We can pass over the warm defense the
President makes of the protective policy,
and the thrusts he gives the oncoming
administration concerning the obligation
1t has assumed to test the merits of tariff
system that it is expected will be radi-
cally different from the present. For that
much was the privilege of the President
as candidate who suffered defeat upon
the lines Of a high protective tariff.
Aside, then, from that matter, the
Presidents message is an optomistic doc
ument. 1t glows with fervid recital of
the prosperous condition of the country,
and revels in figures cited in proof not
only that we have greatly increased our
eoastwise trade, but our export commerce
also, and that this has reached all lines OF
production and all kinds of industries.
He holds, too, that the benefits
of increased industry. augmented
trade, enlarged exports and new
markets and the benefits of commercial
reciprocity, good wages, augmented pro-
duction and remarkable prosperity have
not been confined to the few, but have
been widely distributed and have related
to betterment in all directions. He ex-
cepts only agriculture, but while it has
not been, he says, wholly excluded from
the general advance, yet the causes of it's
limitation in profits have been overpro-
duction, and the fact that the farmer can
not produce to order. Nevertheless, he
believes that the English agriculturist
would gladly exchange the returns of his
labor for those of the American farmer,
wheat and cotton have been low, the gem
eral average of prices has been such as to
give agriculture fair participation in
general prosperity.
This argument of general comfort
prosperous conditions and highly benefi-
cial commercial, productive and indus
trial rnu111ta to ba f,71 fO- ,,co,l =.
supplement the Presidents regret that
the people have not indorsed the pro-
tective policy.
Nevertheless, the statistics recited by
the President, with partisan intent, have
an importance worthy of distinct consid-
Grafton and closer analysis than can be
given in a general review of the message.
His statement that the public bus
iness has been transacted with fidelity
and precision under his administration
will be agreed to by all the country,
which will also take pride, as does Presi-
dent Harrison, in the fact that in the four
years Of his administration there has not
been misappropriation of cent or the
loss of dollar by defalcation on the part
of any Federal official.
He but briefly refers to the Behring Sea
controversy, for the reason that it is now
before Board of Arbitration, but he
suggests wisely that the taking of seals in
North Pacific waters by American vessels
as the schools pass to their favorite waters
beyond the Aleutian Islands be forbid
den. When arbitration as to the right of
the United States over the sea, and the
needs for closed season is ended. the re-
striction, so far as it can be done under
the verdict, should be extended to the
vessels of all nations.
His treatment of Canadian questions is
vigorous and American. He protests
that the Canadian Pacific Railroad should
not be permitted to snatch from us COM
merce legitimately ours, because that line
is exempt from the operation of laws that
bear stringently upon our own lines OF
transportation. Nor is the message to be
mistaken in its tone concerning Canadian
arrogance and interference with our con-
Germs, nor as to Canadian activity in dis
turbing negotiations between the United
States and Great Britain.
He justifes his retaliatory action re-
garding the imposition of canal tolls at
Sault Ste. Marie, and suggests that if
Canadian intolerance and injustice do not
cease we will be warranted in the con-
struction of American-side canals that
will free us from the necessity of using
the Welland or any Canadian route. AS
suredly the whole American people are
in cordial accord with the Presidents ex-
pressions on this head.
His pride in the new navy is warmly
expressed and reflects the general senti-
ment of the Nation. His urgent appeal
for full restoration of American shipping
is fortified by statements and statistics
concerning American service done by
foreign bottoms that are all prepared, in
case of war, to be converted into the
cruisers of an enemy. He declares, with
entirely justifiable indignation, that it is
shameful that out Of American payments
foreign ship-building should be so pro-
NOTED as to enable it to become a weapon
of offensive warfare against US. In short,
the message makes a strong plea, and a
sound one, for an augmented naval re-
sarva and snrh suhsidv aid bv tho Cow