The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-21 00:00:00

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The PRESIDENT'S Message, as conveyed by the
cable, is an instance of the difficulty of condensing
a faithful summary of along document. The Mes-
sage as delivered in Congress by Mr. JOHNSON
leaves a different impression on the mind from the

Message as delivered in London by REUTER. Yet
the latter was composed of fair and truthful extracts
from the former. The PRESIDENT'S text is—the
Constitution. It is his touchstone—to which he
brings all subjects—it is his guide, the path in which
he endeavours to walk ; and that into which he
would lead all others. But Mr. JOHNSON overlooks
one little fact—the Constitution requires an inter-

preter, and he has constituted himself that indivi-
dual. The Message is written with great ability,
embodying views clearly expressed, and sustained
by powerful reasoning. Every paragraph shows an
earnest and honest c)nviction. His mind is im-

pressed with the magnitude of the interests involved

—such indeed as we believe were never before sub-
mitted by a ruler to a legislature. But Mr. JOHN-
SON looks beyond a Congress, which he regards as
a mere impediment, and addresses the American
people. The document is an exposition and defence
of the policy of the Executive ; but it does not stop
there, for it condemns the course taken by the Le-

gislature. On the one hand he sees a continent
drifting into anarchy; the Great Republic, the
repository of the freedom of mankind, sinking to a
level with Mexico. On the other, is the rise to its
proper place among nations, of that " rich country,
the richest the world ever saw." The Message
reiterates the PRESIDENT'S sentiments, as uniformly
and consistently expressed by him ; but its interest
does notlie so much in this statement of views already
known, as in the practical effect thus officially made
public of the Congressional policy. By every means
open to a PRESIDENT of expressing his opinion, Mr.
JOHNSON has urged the illegality of the Reconstruc-
tion Acts, and predicted the disasters to which they
would lead. Ile now declares the result, and the
picture he draws of the ruinous consequences to the
country is coloured as strongly as he can paint it
Again, he asserts that the rebel States are members
of the National Union, not even for a moment
having ceased to be so ; for neither by an act of

their own nor of Congress, nor of Congress or the
Executive combined, had they the power to sever
their allegiance. This being true, the recent legis-
lation of Congress was in violation of the Constiqt-
tion, and as inexpedient as unlawful. Usurpation

is the most dangerous of political crimes, leading to
a train of frightful evils. The Reconstruction Acts
of Congress were usurpation, and he entreats the
Legislature to repeal these illegal measures, asserting
the object to be the establishment of negro supremacy.
If that end were desirable, he argues, still, Congress,
having no right to do evil that good might come,
could not be justified in securing it by such means.
But the end is the reverse of desirable, and such as,
if persisted in, will bring ruin in its train. Negroes
are unfit to exercise the franchise. The Govern-
ment of the Southern States must, if the Congres-
sional policy be maintained, fall into African hands
at a time when the highest wisdom is requisite to
carry society through the fearful crisis brought on
by the civil war. To expect this wisdom from slaves
newly emancipated after centuries of bondage, is
worse than madness. Already, says Mr. JOHNSON, the
attempt has cost uncounted millions; but although he
does not put money considerations in competition with
justice and right, yet he calculates that two hundred

million dollars must be expended to support negro
supremacy, a sum sufficient as a sinking fund to
pay off the National Debt in 15 years. Nor would
the outlay be wholly in vain, for a result would be
secured—but that result would be National Bank-
ruptcy. Mr. JOHNSON, anticipating the Northern
condemnation of this policy, since given, did not
consider the unconstitutional course of Congress such

as he ought to resist by force. But cases may arise
when the high duty of his office may thrust on him
the responsibility " to save the life of the nation at
all hazards." After glancing at the enormous
frauds perpetrated on the Treasury, a corruption
increasing, and likely soon to bring the people
into " total ruin and disgrace," he goes on to can-
Sider the Tenure of Office Bill, which has almost
destroyed official accountability. This act played
into the hands of dishonest servants, increasing the
evils he exposes and condemns. He draws a
lively picture of the difficulties of dealing with frau-
dulent and obstructive officials, even when aided
by the law. But under such an act which makes
the PRESIDENT a mere prosecutor before a tribunal
guided by no rules, and perhaps actuated by poli-
tical hostility—the worst results may be anticipated.
From this subject Mr. JOHNSON enters finance, and
gives a just and able statement of the position of
the country, and the measures desirable to take.
The rest of the Message refers to matters of minor
importance; but one subject is explained, touching
which the telegraph summary gave an erroneous
impression. Mr. JOHNSON merely asks Con-
gress
to aid him in obtaining a just and prompt
settlement of the long-vexed question concerning the
claims of foreign States for military service from
their subjects naturalised in the United States.
This is especially recommended in reference to
Prussia ; and allusion is made to the Courts of Great
Britain, where the Judges cited law, as interpreted
in the courts of the United States in support of the
indefeasible allegiance theory against the doctrine of
the Executive authority. Mr. JOHNSON will be aided
in this object in England, where the necessity fur
some alteration in the law is fully recognised ; but
he will perhaps meet obstacles in Prussia. That
Mr. JOHNSoN's Message, earnest, able, vigorous as
it is, will have a strong effect on the people, we have
little doubt. It comes at an opportune time, almost
appearing by the side of the Impeachment docu-
ments, and his brilliant and statesman-like reason-
ing will be read with the turgid arguments of
Mr. WILLIAMS over the country. The shame-
ful collapse of Mr. ASHLEY and his Impeach-
ment resolutions presents the strongest possible
contrast to the broad and patriotic views enunciated
by the PRESIDENT. There is something almost
ludicrous in the accusations, and the evidence
of the Judiciary Committee arraigning a man
for murder, treachery, debauchery, and other
misdemeanours, who was then deeply engaged
in solving the problems which he has iu so mas-
terly a manner submitted to Congress. At the

same time, we believe Mr. JOHNSON'S Message to
be open to the gravest objections. However strong
may be the opinions he holds, he is bound to modify
their expression when they clash with the other and
the greater departments of the Government. His
whole argument is an impeachment of Congress,
clinched by the statement that he was prepared by
force, in case an act was passed, in his opinion, suf-
ficiently injurious to warrant his interference to
suppress the assembly. We repeat that this state-
ment is a direct challenge. Mr. JOHNSON knows
that laws must emanate from the Legislature—that

his power of obstruction consists in vetoing them,
and, if passed over his veto, he can subject their
constitutionality to the test of the Supreme Court.
Why, therefore, should he threaten Congress with
the usurpation he so severely condemns ? "If the
guarantee of the Constitution can be broken pro-
visionally to serve a purpose, and i❑ a part only of
the ,lountry, we can destroy them everywhere, and
for all time. Arbitrary measures often change, but
they generally change for the worse. It is the curse
of despotism that it has no halting place." N°lv
these are Mr. JoirNsoN's own words, and they are
more applicable to the usurpation he threatens,
than to that he denounces. His Message would
!' better become a leader of the Opposition than a
great ruler, for it is essentially partisan, not defen-
sive only, but condemnatory, more bitter than per-
suasive, more a challenge than an olive branch, and
wholly wanting in the statesman-like quality that
by concession extracts whatever good is procur-
able. In judgment and moderation Mr. JonNsorl
lacks the most requisite qualities for his post, and
it will not surprise any to hear that the House, oa
the 16th inst., adopted the resolution to adhere to
the Reconstruction Act. —Anglo-Anzerican Times.

Foreign Mail Packet List.

MAILS DUE.

..ebtraita and New Zealand, via eguthamptoh. „ Deo. 20
Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. 14
Ditto, via Panama
..,•.zil, Buenos Ayres, and Monte Vida° . . Jan. 5.
Ditto, by lerench packet
Cape Verde. by Brazil packet ...... -
.ap eof Good Hope, Ascension. and St. Helena De 3. 28.
Jhina, Penang, and Singapore, via Boathampton Dec. 20.
Ditto, via Marseilles ..••
Faikland Islands
.!braltar, via Southampton Dec. 20.
iudia. via Southampton
Ditto, via Marseil es
.Malta, t,:gypt, &et Dex 20
Ditto, Marseilles Dec. 23.
Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, and .Natal, via
Southampton Dec. `o'
bat.), Mareeides Jan. 13.
N ewfoundla I L Jan. 13
Portugal Jan. 5.
Ditto, by pm' N.: le ship tG Oporto ...
Ditto ..tto to Lisbon

United States, ( anada, California, &a, by British
cacket Dec. 26'
Ditto, by I i ited states packet
Ditto ditto New York;
Ditto ditto ‘Niw York)
Ditto dittt (Baltimore) ••
Ditto, by Canadian packet Dee. 20.
West Coast of Alma, Madeira, and Tenet in Dec. 17.
Went ladies and Pa.;ific (except Mexico and Baha-
mas)
Cuba and Mexico :o'
Bahamas, via New York
Bermuda, via Halifax

AMERICAN ARCIIXOLOGY.—)Cesterday week the
Rev. Canon Greenwell, of Durham, received an extraordi-
nary consignment of skulls, hatchets (flint and stone), ar-
row heads, spear points, and other implements and weapons
from Illinois, America. The relics are the productions of
certain aboriginal grave-mounds opened by Mr. South'
well, of Winchester, Illinois, one of the gentlemen who
attended Canon Greenwell's diggings on the Yorkshire
wolds in the spring of 1866. The crania, implements, and
weapons are sent over for comparison with those of the
Yorkshire tumuli.
The Iron Age says the number of Bessemer steel
converters now established in Europe number 115, which
are capable of producing half a million of tons per annum.
England, with fifty-two converters, turns out iireek,ll,,
6,000 tons. Prussia, with twenty-two converters, is t"-
next greatest producer, 1,466 tons weekly. Next collies
France, with twelve converters, and 880 tuns; Au'?
tria, fourteen converters and 650 tons; Swede'
fifteen converters and 530 tons. The Bessemer process
i 5
worked at one locality only in Belgium, and Italy has tsc°
establishments, with a very small yield.
California promises not only to furnish the be6t
wines, tut the choicest silks. At the recent Santa Gl'°
County Fair specimens of superior watered silk dress
goods were exhibited ; also sample cocoons front tll°
neighbouring counties, aid the fact demonstrated that il'f)
entire State is well adapted to silk-growing.
The supply of coal in Louisville, Kentucky, l'a:
ing run short, a large plough-manufacturer ran his engilla
an entire day with fuel made of old tan-bark, wet 31" t
mixed with coal slag—keeping up a full head of stool,
a cost of thirty cents for the day.
Washington city and the other sections of the
District of Calumbia recently took a census of their paw
lation. It appears that there are in the District oftl/ci
lumbia 125,492 persons, of whom 86,041 are whites, 311
39,451 coloured. Washington city contains 105,770
and Georgetown 11,692.
Reuben H. Walworth, ex-chancellor of Newl7°r/‘;
died at Saratoga, Nov. 28th, at the advanced 4° is
seventy-two years. He was born in Connecticut, spent
youth on a farm in Hoosick, N.Y., and when seventeeo
years old, with only a common school education, beg%
the study of law, and was a practisiug lawyer before L'ilr
had attained his majority. Ile was an officer in the Deg
of 1812, and after passing through various judicial 00e,
was appointed Chancellor in 1828. He was for insl
years President of the American Temperance tini,l);
Vice-President of the Amet ican Tract and American 13' ,
Societies, and one of the corporate members of the AO
can Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
ri
Mr. John Y. Foster has completed "The fliSt,°o,
of New Jersey's Part in the Late War for the Union, wo
which he has been engaged for something less than tb,
years, by appointment of the Legislature ; it will he
lished at Newark about the beginning of the year.
FADVERTISEMENT.J -Holloway's Ointment and
A Word of Promise.—All sufferers from sores, nleetif
scorbutic affections, and skin diseases, may confide').itls
commence the treatment of their several infirniities
v/vidg
these healing and cleansing remedies. Under Hollessuilis
well-tried predicaments, the worst cases will soon meted
a kinder aspect, and in the progress of the cure the srred
will neither be embarrassed by difficulties nor disherir'eu to
by failures. A little perseverance and moderate attenti(e)int:
the " directions for use" enveloping every packet of 4. big
ment and Pills will enable every invalid to condue;reel
complaint to a succestful issue, and he may feel nse_oft
that, by following this simple but searching tresir sea
his skin will be made sound, severe suffering sear
health restored.

0.,r50t0
LADVERTISEMENT.]—Avoid Medicines: they alwaYs ac". toririg
chronic complaints: but Du Barry's delicious health-re,,,rislY
Revalento, Arabica Food, which yields three times the
n edje
ment of the best meat, saves 50 times its cost in other rewsoila
and invariably restores perfect digestion, strong nerse_.„si ew.
lungs, healthy liver, pure blood, refreshing sleep, fn,
regularity, and energy to the most disordered enfeebled
extract a few out of 68,000 cures ;—" The Pope's health
.1;1) Istio•
by Du Barry's Food. Cure No. 68,413. " Rome, Jul'
—The health of the Holy Father is excellent, especiallY.,o si 313:
abandoning all other remedies, he has confined himself emir
to Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food. of which he 01' Denei
a plateful at every meal. It has prodneed surprisin&lrs otcee
tidal effect on his health, and his Holiness cannot praise
25
lent food too highly." From the " Gazette du Midi, Jubr '0,0%5
No. 58,216, of the Marchioness do Brehan, of seven Ye9'„ervo'ci
complaint, wasting away, debility, nervousness, with s's alia
palpitation all over, bad digestion, constant sleeples% Vro,
the most intolerable nervous agitation.." Cure No.
Stuart de Decies, Lord Lieutenant of Waterford, of Icaati'y fret;
dyspepsia. No. 49,832: " Fifty years' indescribable 04;',',,,aeu%.
dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, Cure
spasms, sickness, and vomiting.—Maria Jolt. '5O
46,270: Mr. James Roberts, of Frimley, Surrey, °f cut, got
diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver deranges n 1 out
partial deafness. Important Caution.—Beware of witleed,
unsavoury and more than sloppy imitations to 'Mile 'attacle,;
.uthority, Baron Liebig's name is most aticlaCioUSlY,,s., 1
In tins at ls. lid. 1 lb..
12 lbs., 225.; 24 lbs.,; 405.— BARRY DU BARRY and Co., t39' 3io,
ilegent-street, London; also Fortnam and Mason, 18'4,6 and -
and at 61, Oracechurch-street; 4, Cheapside; I"„ista
Oxford-street: 330 Strand; and all grocers and ehel—

Births. 1 if,,if'
BLUNDELL —On the 20th inst , at Flomin,'s 11°tie Z 10")
moon-street, the wife of Captain• it. Blundell,
3"
Hussars, of a daughter.
CLARKE— On the 1,-.th inst , at Ford, Dartmouth, 311.5
Viner Clarke, of a son. • ; ,('°' OA
STEER.—
On the 18th inst., at 1, Lupus-street, riluL
...

wife of Mr. S. W. Steer, of a'son:
Marriages.
ti°l-,lri ~:
GORFETT -DE FERE -0 II the 18th inst.,ai, q
. -a in S
C. "
Upper Holloway, Thomas Anthony Corlett, B.lle , \ref.'.
to Emilie Grace, only daughter of the late W• d ,
&q. 1 ,o °I
c, s ep.'',l,
GREENE COURTNEY —On the 19th inst., at o' 'I-1113-d
Dublin, John Ball Greene, Esq of Ardkill, i-} ...'''
co. Dublin, to Charlotte Mary, eldest daughter e
Courtney, Esq., of Burlington-road, Dublin.
Deaths. ril3oo'
BELL—On the 18th inst ,at Peterborough, suade„,Y''
62.
Bell, Esq., of Durham. House, Hampstead, ag.'; of 14°'
.
JALLAND -On the 16 h inst., Mr. Henry jellen°,
; t I .161118°
tinghatn, aged 57.
MORGAN— On the 18th inst ,at 2, Clifton, .131..-°' i,
F. Morgan, barrister-at-law,. aged 17. rfeluojj
MURRAY—On the 17th inst. at Moness goose, Abe,,,580
Perthshire, Lieut.-Col. Samuel Hood 3-turre'''' ni
son of the lion. L. G. K. Murray. Turol3s'-'
PLATRIER -On the 19th inst., at Bute Collage'
green, Platrier, aged 91.
,4-q
.
- --- NO'
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------- ---,Trig A ,0 li if
London : Printed and Published by vn.-•---- "- •
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TILE Sur; 010'0001 o
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the
blitidliNiel....-Saturday, December 21, 1867.,