Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-12-04
Presidents Massage.

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We had intended TO furnish our readers
with the Presidents Message in to day s
paper, but the detention of the mail train
prevented us from receiving 4 copy until
several ours after is was due.
The Message briefly refers to foreign af.
fairs-rep presents the condition Of the f.
nances as gratifying ng-recommends the or
ganization of the militia on a uniform ba-
sis-and a more efficient organization of
the navy.
A reorganization Of the Supreme Court
is desirable, there being now three vacan-
cies on the bench.
A general revision Of the laws is recon-
mended. Congress is asked to devise a
plan temporarily for the administration of
justice in all such parts of the insurgent
States and Territories as may be under the
control Of this government, whether by
voluntary return to allegiance and order, or
by the power of our arms.
He proposes to colonize eontraband
slaves, as we'll as others who may be eman-
cipatcd or taken at a valuation in some
proper territory to be set apart for that pur-
pose,
In considering the policy to be adopted
for suppressiBg the insurrection, have
been anxious and careful that the ineyita-
bic conflict for this purpose shall not de-
generate into violent and Iemorseless rev.
dictionary struggle. | have, therefore, in
every case thought it proper to keep the
Integrity of the Union prominent, as the
primary object Of the contest on our part,
leaving all questions which are not of vital
military imporales to the wise deliberation
Ut the Legislature
The Union must be preserved, and
hence all Indispensable means may be en-
p,1yeo. We should not be in haste to de-
tefmine that radical and extreme measures,
which may reach the loyal as we'll as the
disloyal, are indispensable"
"The inaugural address at the beginning
of the Administration, and the message to
Congress at the late special session, were
both mainly devoted to the domestic con-
tr0versy out Of which the insurrection and
consequent war have sprung. Nothing more
occurs to add or subtract to or from the
principles or general purposes stated aud
expressed in that document. The last ray
of hope for preserving the Union peaceably
expired, and the assault upon Fort Sumter,
and general review of what has occurred
since may not be Improbable"
1t continues to develop that the insur-
rection is largely, if not exclusively, a war
upon the first principles of popular govern
ment-the rights of the people Conclu-
slve evidence of this is found in the most
grave and maturely considered public doe
uments, as we'll as in the general tone of
the insurgents. In these documents we
find the Acknowledgements of the existing
right Of suffrage, and the denial to the
people of all right to participate in the Sc
lection Of public officers, except the Legis-
lHture, boldly advocated, with labored ar
g4meDts, to prove that large control Of the
people in Government is the source of all
political trouble"
Monarchy itself is sometimes limited at
as possible refuge from the power of the
people"
In my present position I could scarce
ly be justified were to omit raising war
ming voice against this approach of return
ing despotism."
The message closes with an allusion to
labor and capital, placing the former first
IN the structure of our government.