The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-12-12
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Comments OF tho Republican Press on the
Important document.


On the whole, the message will be
regarded as rather commonplace except
by that limited number OF men who
yet declare him ths greatest statesman
who has been president since Lincoln.
indianapolis Journal.
Mr.. Cleveland will go down 10 history
as the most verbose president on rec
ord. In doing this he no doubt
feels that he is fulfilling his duty as laid
down i'm the constitution, and so we
cannot object TO it.--Boston Record.
| Altogether, even without considering
his humiliating and remarkable posi-
ton on the Cuban question, Mr.. Cleve-
lands last message will add nothing
10 his fame, and will be a source of
qualification TO his enemies.-Kansas
City World.
The president gives very little en-
couragement for any hope that this
government under his administration
will favor the annexation of Cuba.
Everything in his message favors cess
sation OF hostilities and the settlement
of the controversy, but presumes either
retention by Spain, with satisfactory
governmental reforms, or the absolute
| independence of the island ITSELF
Minneapolis Journal.
He has rasped the Spanish government
with degree of critical freedom which
would not, in Madrid, be permitted to
| Carlist newspaper. On the other hand,
he cannot be accused by the most un-
bending of Spanish tories OF extending
the slightest aid or comfort TO the Ia
surgents. lie is equally persuaded, APP
parently, of the incompetence of Span
ish rule and the impossibility of Cuban
independence, and he has been PAINS
taking in his frank revelation of his
frame of mind TO both parties in in
terest.-N. Y. Press.
The imminent and supremacy impor-
tant question of our duty and response
bility to Cuba is disposed of in con-
venient manner. The Cuban chapter
is ably written. It's statements and
suggestions hold the attention closely
until you come to the disheartening
conclusion. In well-balanced periods
sympathy for the struggling patriots
and friendship and admiration for Spain
are equally dispensed. The foremost
I, democratic question, that of startling
inadequacy Of our revenues, is discussed
by Mr.. Cleveland as cheerfully as IL he
had nothing 10 do with the dire situa-
zion confronting us.-N. Y. Sun.
The most hopeful note in the whole
discussion is that which most closely
approXimates TO menace. The presi-
dent repeats what has been said so
many times by his predecessors, that
this country will not tolerate the trans
fer OF Cuba TO any other society than
that of Spain. The island must remain
| Spanish, or become independent, or pass
into our own possession. Then he adds
significantly that, while this govern
ment should continue to be patient,
its patience may presently he exhaust
ed. If Spain does not end the war our
regard for her sovereignty may be
superseded by the higher obligations Of
| umanity.-Tribune.
The president closes his message with
an appeal to congress for 1.-THE most
rigid economy in the expenditure OF the
money IL holds in trust for the people"
| This will fall on deaf ears. Mr.. Cleve-
land has called attention TO the fact
that there is a surplus In the treasury
of $l2S,000,000, and this congress will
do what il can to spend IL if not held
in check. Thirty millions will not be
appropriated for public buildings, which
are not needed, il the demagogues have
their way. Millions will be appropri-
ated for stale claims. Money will be
voted for the improvement OF rivers
and harbors where there will be no
commerce. Perhaps Of all the presi-
dents recommendations the one least
needed will be this concerning econ
omy.--Chieago Tribune.
The most notable feature of the mes
sage is the discussion of the Cuban
complications. President Cleveland
and extensively than he has done here
tofore. On the whole his deliyerance
will be regarded as temperate, conserva-
tive and restrained, and his attitude
will be accepted as the only one COM
patible with his antecedcnts and situa-
ton. IL is plain that he seeks to hold
the balance with an impartial hand.
and il this attitude is not altogether
success IL is because truth and hui
nanity do not permit complete neu-
trality. Spain certainly cannot accuse
President Cleveland OF any unfriendli-
ness. lie has done the utmost that ma
tonal friendship could demand. lie
has been patient and considerable in re-
straining any aggressive spirit and In
giving Spain the largest opportunity.
All this lends the more weight TO his
final intimation that patience may
cease 60 be virtue, and that this de-
structive warfare cannot be permitted
TO go on indefinitely. In this declara-
ton he puts himself in harmony with
the true American attitude. AT the
very outset OF his message the presi-
dent speaks in strong terms of the
Turkish atrocities in Armenia and OF
the dangers 20 American life and prop