The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-07-12
The Presidents Message.

The President, in his message to Congress,
published in this paper, wisely abstaincd
from recommending attention to any subjects
of legislation except those growing out Of
the rebellion, to consider which Congress was
called together in extra session. Although
our secession neishbor Of the Democrat,
whose astonishing penetration will some day
amaze wondering world, says" the message
fails to grapplc with or even notice the great
cause which underlies tho present division
among the States, and declares it reveals
either the narrow partisanship or the slender
abilities of the President, and is neither be-
coming nor statcsuanlikc," We are quite sure
public opinion will generally look upon itas
a very respectable message, and very clear
aud explicit in its statements and rccommen-
dations.
This paragraph, from the pro-slavery,
secession editor, indicates that he would
have had the President give the country a
labored disquisition on the slavery question.
The astutc editor says at [tho messagcl
talks as though mere election, or the firing
upon fort, incidents which may happen at
any time, comprised the whole controversy.
This is u shallow and puerie method of deal
ing with great controversy having its ORR
gin in the difference of sentiment regarding
an institution existing in nearly onc-half the
States of the Union, and extending over q
long period of time" Shaiioo and pueriie
Well this will do pretty well for the editor
Of the Democrat. II the President should
by chance hear Of this, no doubt he would
feel bad, and perhaps might DO inclined to
ask what this secession organ would have
him recommend, and perhaps inquire If fight
ing the rebels after the fashion of the old
Dutch Governors of New York, with procla.
nations, would satisfy. Seriously, however,
we have the opinion that the message is in
the best possible taste; ;he country and the
people 1--WE do not mean the editor Of the
Democrat or his secession friends) would
hardly have cared for q long discourse on the
slavery question, so far us we are enabled to
Judge, are very well satisfied with tho docu.
ment. 1t certainly is not flowcry in style,
but its matter-of.iact statements and bust
ness-likc expressions are in our Judgment very
much preferable, and will be better under
stood by the people than any learned dsqui-
sitions, such as tho able editor Of the Demo-
crat might write on the slavery question:
The good sense of the people will appreciate
message which is at once straightforward
and clear in statement, and explicit in rec
ommendation, and all the better because
they have not, until quite recently, been pro-
yided with documents of such character.
We venture the prediction that Congress will
chceriully, by large majority of all parties
there, endorse the .'shallow and puerile"
manner in which the great editor of the Dem
ocrat says the President treats the question,
by voting for men and means to crush out
rebellion to the extent asked by the Prcsi-
dent, and will as cordially approve what he
has done heretofore for the safety of the Gov
eminent. We notice that the Democrats in
Congress have had caucus. and by a large
majority voted to sustain the Administration
in its war policy-and with the exception of
here and there Democratic paper OF seces-
sion proclvities, the great body of the Dem.
ocratic press insist upon the submission of
the rebels to the Constitution and laws as o
condition precedent to any settlement. equal
ly with the Republican press. >.