The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-07-10
LOCAL AND NEWS ITEMS.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


source, BY many,pcrhaps, who have sell
dom, if ever before, plodded through such
documents, and because just now so many
and such grave responsibilities rest with
the Chief Executive of the nation. The
message is not Of unusual length, but for
the reason that all curiosity, so far as our
readers arc concerned, has been allayed in
regard TO it, and by most, if not by all, it
has been read and placed away for future
reference, therefore, we shall not give it
in our columns. A brief touching of the
main features is all we can have time 10
present now. The burden of the mes
sage is in regard to the rebellion and war.
Refers TO the secession of seven of the
States as he assumed the chair; public
property seized by those States; dispro-
portion of Federal arms had found their
way into those States; and the organiza-
tion of separate government by them
as Confederate States. He gives de-
tailed account of the beginning and end
ing Of the Fort Sumpter affair; a full
statement Of the remarkable position as
sumed by Virginia and the border States !;
explains the why and wherefore Of the
suspension of the privilege Of haJeus cor
pus, and argues its necessity; recommends
TO place under the control of the govern
mont, 100000 men and $4o0,000,0OO,
and figures up by comparison the reason
ableness Of this demand and brings for
ward arguments tending TO prove its nc
cessity. The doctrine of secession he ar
gucs against; rcfutcs the pretentions Of
its advocates and demonstrates it to be
q sophism, pernicious and suicidal. He
puts some leading questions and propo-
sitions to the rebels in his own unequal
cd quain!ness, and pungent bluntncss and
sarcasm-a mode of diplomatic argument
decidedly Lincoian-and closes this part
Of the subject with presentation of the
whole subject of secession, rebellion and
coercion to the patriotic instinct Of "plain
men,"
"That no doubt may exist in the minds
of candid men rs TO what is to be the
course of the Government towards the
Southern States after the rebellion shall
have been suppressed" he intimates dis
tiuctly that the Constitution and the laws
shall be his guide, and for the intcrpreta-
ton of the relative duties Of the Federal
Government, and the rights of the States
and people under the Constitution, as he
now views them, he refers all concerned
to the ideas expressed in his inaugural
(Thereby hangs tally
In regard TO compromise, he says:
1T is with the deepest regret that the
Executive assumed the duty of employ
ing the war power in defence of the gov
ernment, forced upon him. He could but
perform his duty or surrender the exis-
tence of the government; no compromise
by public servants could in this be q cure,
not that compromises were not often prop
er, but that no popular government can
long survive marked precedent, that
those who carry an election can only save
the government from immediate destruc
ton by giving up the main point upon
which point the people gave the election
The people themselves, and not their scr
wants, can safely reverse their own delib.
crate decision"
(Thereby hangs good deal longer
tally
Being "plain man" ourself we con
clude that in the opinion of the Executive
this rebellion is pretty serious matter
and also in our own opinion it has pro
portions decidedly colossal.
The population of the United States
by the last census is 30,0o0,00o. We'll
TO raise $4Oo, 900 900, as is recommend
cd, is about $13 for every man, woman
and child in the land. According to tn
usual mode of reckoning five to family
it will be $65 to be paid by each hea
of family, and as one in ten is ofte
made the basis Of calculation to ascertai
the number Of taxpayers, then if that
a fair supposition, every taxpayer is liz
ole TO pay $3.50 for tho prosecution
this war. That is larger sum than wa
subscribed in this locality as n loan to tll
State, upon the urgent solicitation Of OF
Governor, by each taxpayer in this tow
We arc positive in this. Now add there