Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-12-10
The Presidents Message.

L
Wegive in days paper, the first an
nual message Of President Lincoln. 1t
has doubtless been pernsed by most OF our
readers already, but We nevertheless pub
lish it as an important part of the record
Of the times.
As State payer Il is far short Of what
we expected. While it Is commendab!e on
account of its bresity, it is wanting in all
| the essential characteristics pertaining to
the occasion and demanded ty the crises.
In this respect it is little Ike TIE mes
sages sent 10 Congress by Jefferson, Adams,
Madison, ~ ackson. Polk, and others of our
earlier Presidents. In vain we look into it
( for the high-toned craftsmanship which
characterized the productions of Jefferson,
| the matter of fact and patriotic details pre-
pared by Madison, the bllness and indie
| pendeace displayed BY Jackson. or the hon
est and patriotic avowaIs of Polk With
all due respect to the feelings of cur Re-
publican friends, truth compels Us to say
that it is the most commonplace and non>
committal message that ever emannied
from the Chief Magistrate of this great
! nation
| President Lincoln is evidently afraid to
to shoulder the responsibility" lie is afraid
to avow the sentiments of his own heart,
or to recommend any policy of moment to
the consideration Of Congress. He desires
to leave the csponsibihty With his cabinet
advisers. Hence he refers Congress to
their reports for grounds upon which to
work and studiously avoids committing
himself in regard to any of the great
questions to he disposed Of, for fear that his
suggestions might not bo endorsed BY that
b9dy.
We did hope that the President would
break loose from the shnckles Of the Chi
cago platform and shake off the bands of
sectional RepubIicanism-tIiat lie would
enunciate the PRINCIPLES upon which his
administration was to be conducted-that
he would give word of encouragement to
the noble men of Kentucky, Tennessee,
Maryland, Missouri, and Virginia, who
are struggling in behalf of the Union and
the constitution. lie has done none Of
those things however, and the country
, must Look to Congress for the grand pro-
, GramWe for the future.
: 1t seems to us that Mr. Lincoln has made
grave mistake. lie should have display
ed more Independence. Like the immortal
Jackson, he should have taken the respon.
- sibiity upon himself lie should have
given civilized nations to understand thai
I he was opposed to the emancipation policy
e of the ultra men of his party-to the con-
version of this war into struggle for the
freedom Of the negroes. The recent proc
r lamatioDs Of bis commanding Generals
gave us just grounds to hope that he woull
do this, but his message has dispelled tina
hope and leaves the country in doubt as t.
the future. Never since The commence
. ment Of government has there been suct
an opportunity for the Chief Executive O
the Republic to immortalize himself
Never before has the country been in con
, dition to demand the exhibition of as grea
a degree of craftsmanship, patriotism ant
p manhood, as is called for now. The mate
e rial was never better for a President t.
raise himselfiu the estimation Of the friends
! of constitutional liberty and the restoration
Of the Union as it was. We regret tina
, Mr.. Lincoln has not been found equal t.
the emergency.
The various criticisms of the message by
, the press of the country arc amusing. The
Aboiitionists contend that it is not unfav-
orab.e - their pet scheme of iberatiug
and arming the negroes, while the true
UniOnists contend that it ignores that poll
} cy. Nobody appears TO know exactly the
Presidents position. Aud none appear t5
be very lavish in oommendations of hi.
, message.
suggestions Of the President relative
t. matters Of minor Importance, are more
, to the point. His views on colonization
t will be opposed by none but A5olitionists
But in the discussion of those minor topics
it is 70 be regretted that questions upon
which depend the restoration oc the Union
we're neglected or ovatcd. We shall no,
extend our comments, for all can peruse
aud judge Of the merits of the document
for themselves