The national Republican., 1861-12-04
THE m GsSAGE.

THE MESSAGE.
This document, which we are enabled to lay
before our readers this morning, is a very con.
densed, yet lucid, exposition of the detailed
workings Of the various branches Of the Gov.
ernmsnt during the past year.
1t Is quite idle to state the contents Of
paper like this, which will be univer ally read
and almost equally 70, to express opinions
upon 1t to readers, each one OF whom will have
already formed opinions IF his own.
II there is any part of this message which We
should select for especial praise iu respect 10
point and style, it is the opening part in respect
70 the foreign aspect Of our domestic troubles.
1t would be impossible to present, with more
elearuess, the considerations which should dis
susde the European nations from intervening
In favor Of the rebellion, and which should IT.
duce them to desire the early and complete
restoration Of the national auth rity. At tie
same time, the message recognizes. with dignity
and Armness, the great fact that we must rely,
In our foreign relations, not upon the wisdom
or forbearsnce Of others, but upon our strength
and preparation for contingencies.
A pervading feature of this message, IL The
just purpose Of leaving to the legislative branch
Of the Government that control of great ques.
tions Of public policy, too often wrested from
1t heretofore, by Executive encroachments-
This Is particularly true of questions relating
10 slavery, which the President RENTS 10 Con.
gress with very few spec recommendations
and with the expression OF only The single
general view, that extrem. measures should
not be hastily resolved upon.
The recommendation of measures in aid OF
the colonization of negroes, including, If found
necessary and advisable, the acquisition Of
territory for that purpose, will, we trust, be
promptly seconded by Congress. 1t strikes at
the root Of the strongest popular prejudice
against the emancipation Of slaves, which is
the apprehension (however unfounded in real
ity) Of being OUerr,n," as the phrase is by
free negroes II the means Of colonizing them
are provided, this sort of apprehension will be
absted, and perhaps removed. A good deal
may be done in this direction, without the de-
lay and discussions incident to the acquisition
Of territory specially for that purpose. In I'D
offering immediate inducements to colored
colonists, tn re are other regions in Mexico
aud South America where they would now be
gladly received.
10 what he says of the Confiscation Act leo
called passed at the extra session Of Congress.
the President, In one sentence, speaks of the
slaves effected by it, as liberated" and yet
10 another seems to speak of them as trans
ferred to the United States, to be disposed
Of by the United States. He adds, while
taking this view of the subj-ct that similar
legislation may be expected from some of the
States, and that the property which they may
thus acquire in con6scated slaves may be pur.
chased from them. or accepted from them for
taxes, by the United States, with view to the
liberation of such slaves
Whatever principles Of legislation on this
subject may be adopted by the States, it is quite
certain, we think, that Congress provided, a,
the extra session, for the liberation of slave,
employed for the purposes OF tie rebellion by
their masters. 1t relieved slaves 80 employed
from all claims upon their labor from their
masters, and 1t is impossible 10 use words which
more unequivocally give freedom to slaves
Congress intended preci.eiy that and not 10
transfer such slaves as property TO the nation.
70 be still held as slaves by it,
The President surprises US somewhat by the
statement, that large plumbers Of slaves, com,
Ing within the range OF the Connscation Act
are now in the hands OF the United States tc
be dispos d OF. Large numbers Of slaves have
come within our military lines and still remain
there, at Fortress Monroe, Port Royal, and
elsewhere, but we wer, not aware that meas
ures had been taken to separate, by proper
evidence, such as come within the CondscatioI
Act, from those>~ho do not come within 1t
Undoubtedly, some additional and remedial
legislation is needed on that head, to carry
out the principle OF the Connscation Act
Even II not extended, that act will liberate
hundreds Of thousands Of slaves, with proper
measures to facilitate the taking and preserva
lion Of the proofs Of their employment in the
military service Of the rebellion. The vantage
ground obtained in this act, by the friends o.
emancipation, must be tenaciously held and i'm
proved. 1t ID wedge already set, and only
needs to be driven by vigorous blows
The President takes u very favorable view
Of the general progress Of the war; and view
certainly correct in Its main features He doe.
not sxaggerste the unauimity and steadinea
Of the loyal States in furnishing men aud
money for the maintenance Of the Union. A.
to the condition of things in nsome Of the border
States, especially Kentucky and Missouri, W,
should be good deal better Satisfied than W.
are, ii 1t appeared to us precisely as 1t does t
the President.
The message, at Its conclusion, very properl.
points out that this war Is war for the preser
vation Of the vital principles Of the Govern
ment, s-sailed by false theories upon the sub