Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-11
Raftsman's 9ournaI.
ny SAMUEL j. ROW.
CLEARFIELD. PA. DEC. IL, 1861.
THE MEssAaE-wHAT Is SAID OF IT.


CLEARFIELD. Pa, DEC. IL, 1851.
THE MEssAGE-wHAT IS SAID OF 1T.
The New York Times says "President's
Lincoln's Message is precisely such document
as any one familiar with his character would
have anticipated. 1t is clear, unpretending,
frank ard perfectly loyal to the declaration
and acts of his whole political life. In regard
to the question of slavery, President Lincoln
speaks with frmness, but marked and con-
scientious moderation. With regard to the
negroes whom the progress OF the war sets
free and throws upon our hands, he suggests
the propriety of providing for their coloniS alton
and also of accepting such slaves as may be
freed by State action in lieu pro tanto of direct
taxes. We apprehend that the project OF
colOnizing the negroes will be found open to
more objections thaa occur at hrst sight. Ihey
will be imperatively needed to cultivate the
soil, and the expense Of the scheme wonld be
beyond any direct benefits to be expected from
H. We think the Government will find 1t
necessary to establish for them some effective
police government here, at home, and retaining
their labor instead of sending them out of the
country"
The Chicago Tribune interprets the Mes
sage by what it knows of the opinions OF the
President, rather than by what it says: ssThe
eau tious language which Mr.. Lincoln employs,
does not hide from us, who know the deep
moral convictions of the man, the purpose that
he has in view. He has come, if not fully up
TO our advanced position, at least within easy
hail of those who have been looking anxiously
back to see what progress he would make.
Congress will take him at his word. The
members of that body, if we may judge by
what has transpircd already, will interpret his
meaning in a way with which we even shall be
content. We know not what form their legis-
lation will take ; but of this we are assured,
and the Message is a warrant for what we say,
that in the deliberate action Of the Represen-
tatives of the People, the President will gladly
acquiescc."
The Delaware County Pa, Republican,, says !:
ssThe Message of President Lincoln to Con-
gress is of readable length, no synopsis of IT
is requisite. 1t is written plainly, and is de-
void of that verbiage usually found in docu-
mants emanating from high public functional
ries. The President says just what he means,
and is eminently conservativc-too much so,
we think--in his recommendations to Congress.
The declaration, however, in the message that
ssThe Union must be preserved, and hence all
indispensable means mnst be employed" is a
sufficient guarantee to the people that the
power of the Government will be used to that
end. On the subject of our foreign relations
the President leaves ne room to doubt the
policy that will govern the Administration, so
far as England Is concerned. The message
meets with general approval"
The New York Commercial is warm in its
praises: "Tbis admirable document is all that
could be expected from the frank, straight
forward and honest pen of the President. II
is Abraham Lincoln in every line, ingenious,
direct, unqualified, cautious, thorough and
loyal to the very core-not merely loyal to
the Stars and Stripes, but loyal to the most
sacred principles of the Constitution. 1t is
the work of a clear-headed man, sensible oi
the gravity of the time, and responsive to the
vast burden Of trust devolved upon him."
The New York World is delighted with the
Message. 1t says: s'It probably suffers some
what from its hasty transmission by telegraph
but its language is clear, terse and intelligible
and It is free from the wearisome ro kitty which
has heretofore made Presidents messages 81
heavy. The President assigns to the suhjec
of slavery its proper rank and subordinatioI
among the questions relating to the manage
inert of the war. 1t is not, in his estimation
great question, but minor question"
The New York HeraIdis delighted. II says
ssThe first regular annual Message OF Presiden
Lincoln to the two houses of Congress is be
fore our readers. They will find 1t a plain
concise, unpretending, business like exposi
tion Of our foreign and domestic affairs, ant
the reader will lay it down, satisfied from it
intrinsic evidences that the author of thi
State paper is fully entitled to his famiia
designation of ssHonest Abe Lincoln"