The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-04
The Presidents messags-A Good Chart
for Congress.

The first regular annual Message Of President
Lincoln to the two houses Of Congress is before
our readers. They will find it plain, concise'
unpretending, business-like exposition Of our
foreign and domestic affairs, and the reader will
lay it down. satisfied from its intrinsic evidences
that the author of this State paper is fully en-
titled to his familiar designation Of "Honest
Abe Lincoln"
This Message, moreover, IL a reMark~.o
short one--a departure from the usual long
winded annual Presidential partisan orations
which will be universally approved. Had Mr..
Lincoln followed the example of any one Of his
"illustrous predecessors" of the last thirty
years, with the abundant topics suggested by
the facts and Developments Of this rebellion,
he might have inflicted upon us Message of
twenty columns without exciting surprise But
he says what he has to say within less than six
columns, including smart little essay on tie
sound political economy of our popular insti-
tutions, in contrast with the monarchical ten
denotes of our revolted States.
Not without some apprehensions Of foreign
Intervention in this domestic war of ours, Mr..
Lincoln discloses the true policy in our foreign
relations, in his hope that it will appear that his
administration has "practised prudence and
lberality towards foreign Powers, averting
causes of irritation and with frmness main
tanning our own rights and honor" To be
ready however against all possible contingent
cies, he recommends that adequate and ample
measures be adopted for maintaining the public
defences on every side Including our coast
line, our great frontier lakes and our rivers;o
and these measures he suggests, should embrace
harbor and river improvements.
When Mr.. Dallas was orr Minister at London
he was seriously annoyed on one occasion, at a
diplomatic reception, by tie presence of gilt
tering African representing the government of
Ilayti. During the term also of the late John
Y. Mason, as our Minister at Paris, the ebony
ambassador from his ebony majesty Faustin
Souleaque confronting. on one OCCASION our
Minister in his official capacity al the Tuile
ries, ''That strapping negro" said Mason, lis
out Of his place. He would bring fifteen hun
dred dollars in New Orleans" These incidents
will serve to indicate the difficulty which has
prevented thus far the recognition by our go-
vcrnment of the nationality of Hayti and Lii
IBERIA. Mr.. Lincoln, however, says that ''if any
good reason exists why we should persevere
longer in Withholding our recognition Of the in
dependence and sovereignty Of Hayti and Ii
IBERIA. am unable to discern it." The ques-
ton appears to us very delicate one, ard we
think it would be best to let it alone.
The Message speaks eneouragingly Of the
good condition Of the Treasury, and calls the
attention Of Congress to the financial views and
recommendations Of Secretary Chase, not yet
reported. And 30 in reference TO the reports of
the other departments. They are made more
intimately than heretofore the views of the Pre-
sidcnt-a fact which establishes the practical
unity of the President and his Cabinet. 1t is on
this account that the report Of Mr.. Secretary
card TO the slaves Of Southern rebels, has been
recommitted int his hands, to be revised &C
cording to the Presidents policy.
The suggestions of the Message in respect to
the reconstruction Of the Supreme Court, if sub
rnittcd two years ago. would have created
terrible political agitation; for at that time this
court was regarded as the last bull
ever in the midst Of this Southern rebellion,
the reconstruction Of the Supreme Court is re-
duced to simple question of convenience to the
loyal States and the Presidents views on the sub
ject are entitled TO the practical consideration of
Congress. The same may be said OF his views in
regard to convenient abrideemens Of the
laws Of Congress and some special legislation
touching the temporary administration of jus
tice in all such parts Of the nsurgeut States and
Territories as may be under the control of this
government. This is an important matter as
it is intended to reach some portions of the two
hundred millions Of dollars OF debts due from
citizens of the South to citizens OF our loyal
States.
We pass over the numerous other topics of
the Ne sage TO the main question The disposi.
ton to be made Of The slaves OF Southern rebels
falling into the hands of our armies. The FreSi-
dent says that such conlaband negroes now
under the charge OF our various army camps are
legally free. He expects some Of the States also
(Kentucky and Missouri. we prespme) to pass
laws confscating and libcraling the slaves OF
rebels. But what is to be done with all these
liberated slaves? Mr.. Lincoln recommends their
colonization in some '.congenial cline" and
all other free persons of color among us who
may choose to join IN the enterprise; and lie
suggests for this purpose the purchase Of con
venient bit Of tropical territory. This plan
some two years ago was preached IN Congress
in regard 10 our free negroes, and some locality
in Central America was then suggested as the
field FOR the colony. We think it highly proba-
bic that this is tie idea of the Message; fol
Where else can we y 10 purchase "the con.
genial cline" referred to sufficiently CONVENE
ert to answer TIE purpose in view, unless we
90 to the island of Hayti.
At all events, this Proposition Of colonization
shows that Mr.. Lincoln eompreheads the folly
and cruelty of any large emancipation Of South
ern slaves if they are to be turned loose to shit
Tor themselves in the United States His plan Of
ameliuration is perhaps NE best that could he ID