Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-08-03

President Iiucoln's Message.

1IeSlUSUt A1UCVxu ACOeASCs
We ask especial attention to the
late Message Of the President to the
extra session Of Congress convened on
the 4.h Of July, the conclusion Of which
may be found on the first page of to-
days paper. The occasion has never
been presented previous to the present
time for message comprehending the
discussion Of such monentons interests.
and never has q subject been more
thoroughly and concisely presented by
the Chief Executive, than that now be-
fore the public. Unlike former mes
sagcs, the language is couched in the
simplest form, and the exact meaning
OF each sente nee is SO plainly expressed
that none can err in judgment.
The main point Of the message, the
annihilation of the great excuse for
treason, the crafty doctrine of " States
Rights" is complete. The President
does not merely assert that such doc
trinc is inconsistent with the funda-
mental principles upon which govern.
mcnt is based, but by train Of con-
vincing argument proves beyond
shadow Of doubt that such views are
in conflict with all preconceived ideas
Of government, and only advanced to
further the ends Of the reasonable con-
spirators, by imbuing the public mind
with vague idea of some sacred SUI
prcmacy pertaining to each State Of
the Federal Union. No State ever had
Constitution independent of the I'm
ion, then from whence is derived the
Wanted theory Of reserved rights?
The President alludes to the purchase
Of the territory from which several of
the seeded States are formed, and asks,
"If the nation is now i'll debt for money
applied for the benefit Of the so.called
seeded States, instomon with the rest,
is it just that either creditors should 60
unpaid or the remaining States pay?
The Reputation Confederacy might at
tempt to acquit herself of liability by the
famous rule of elimination, as did sew
eral members of that compact on for
mer occasion.
Concerning the stability of a confed-
cracy bound by Constitution like
that of the rebel States, the President
gives his view in few conclusive words:
"Thcy have either discarded or retained
the right of secession. IT they have
discarded it, they admit that i'll princi-
pie it ought not to be in ours. This
would at once be an admission that
their present hostility to the Govern
ment is rebellion and treason; on the
other hand, if in theircompact they ad-
NIT the right Of secession, it would be
the resort by which to settle all selfish
interests"
In the outstart the President refers
to the extraordinary forbearance in
dulgcd by the Government towards
tie rebels-an exhaustion of all peace
able means to bring about reunion of
the disaffectcd masses with the Gener-
al Government. Notwithstanding the
leniency Of the Government the rebel
lion progressed, and that now, in order
to vindicate our outraged nationality,
in order to demonstrate the fact that
o Republican form of government can
successfully withstand the greatest dam
ger to which it is euhject--an internal
convulsion-he is for making the pres
ent contest short and decisive orc.
To this every patriot can respond amen.
We hope that every reader will give
the message careful perusal.