Year: 1875

'ion not Win any expectation that congress
will take effectual action on it, but solely as
means Of dragging religious animosities
into the Presidential canvass. II is the most
discreditable appeal ever made by the Chief
Magistrate of the country, or by any party
chief. in the history of our politics.


On most of the other subjects referred to
IN his Message President Grant speaks with
sense and wisdom. The Cuban question,
respecting which it was feared he might be
rash and aggressive, is treated with remark
able good Judgment and moderation. He
maintains on sound reasons, that it
would be unjustifable to recognize the
independence of the island, and shows
that it would be a mistake to con-
cede belligerent rights to the in
surgents in the present state of their
affairs. They have no regularly or
ganized government, no seaports, no means
of intercourse with the nations of the
world, and no valid title to any kind of
recognition. To treat them as belli-
gerents would lead to undesirable COM
plications. 1t would relieve Spain from
all responsibility for injuries they might in
fict upon our rights or our commerce, and,
what is worse, it would give Spain right to
overhaul and search our merchant ships on
the high SEAS causing incessant exaspera-
ton, which might lead to war. We presume
this part of the Message was written
by Secretary Fish. AT any rate, it re-
fleets the conservative views which he has
so steadily and consistently maintained.
The President recognizes and deplores the
injuries which we suffer in consequence Of
the disturbed condition of Cuba, and as
other nations suffer in the same way, though
to less extent, the President thinks the
condition of Cuba proper subject for the
friendly Intervention of other Powers, with a
view to put an end to strife which in
jures Spain as well as all other nations
which have an interest in the commerce Of
the island Our other difficulties with Spain
are the subject of pending negotiations, and
the President intimates that he will send
another Message on Cuban affairs at ripper
stage of the business. All of which, if not
quite satisfactory, is at least unobjectionable.


We heartily approve and indorse that part
of the Message which relates to ocean cables.
1t is proper and timely protest against ex-
tortionate monopolies. The President justly
thinks that no foreign company should be
permitted to land a cable on our shores with
ont right reserved by our government to
limit the rates for messages, nor without
guarantees against the consolidation Of
competing lines and combinations be-
tween them to fleece the community by
important subject the President has been
wisely advised. The financial part of the
Message accords, in the main, with the judi
cious recommendations Of Secretary Bristow
in his annual report. We think, however,
that the four per cent bonds which Mr.. Bris-
tow recommends for funding the greenbacks
would afford better guarantee of success
than the 65-100 bonds favored by the
President.


Among the minor recommendations of the
Message that relating to the Centennial Gel
ebration is most likely to be popular. Now
that the thing has gone SO far it would bring
discredit on the nation to have the Exposi-
tion fall and public opinion would indorse
a cautious appropriation of money to make
it q success. AS such occasions recur only
once in hundred years the precedent could
do little harm


We are sincerely sorry that President
Grant has made SO strenuous an effort to
drag religious questions into politics. 1t is
an unworthy electioneering device, which
will not bear discussion, and which is pretty
certain to react against his own party.