Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-12
THURSDAY. ;: DEC. IL. 1851 i
%The annual Message of Presi-

of Congress on the Sd inst. Its length
precludes US from giving it entire, and
ss it has been published for some days
past in the Cincinnati dailies, many of
which circulate in our counties, most
Of our readers will ere this have Pc
rused IT, and willingly excuse us from
its publication.
1t opens with a very short and pithy
congratulation on the health of the na-
tion, and abundant harvest Of this year.
Without any predatory remarks. the
President at once pitches into the af-
fairs of the nation in style peculiar to
himself. Our Foreign relations are
briefly adverted to, and all anxiety in
regard to difficulties Herewith, shown
to be unnecessary from the facts that
the rebels received much less encourage
ment abroad, than was at first anticipa-
ted, and the interest Of other nations
being manifestly furtbered BY prompt
aid in crushing out the rebellion.
But the President is not unmindful
that preparations for war should be
made in time Of peace, and therefore
urges measures for defence Of our
coast line and lake harbors.
Also for the construction of a rail-
road to connect the loyal parts Of Ten
nessee and North Carolina with Ken
tucky. This road would be Of immense
service and will doubtless meet with
prompt attention from Congress.
Why we should longer hesitate TO
acknowledge the Independence of Ii
IBERIA and Hsyti. the President don't
see. On this point, many will see vari
Gus good reasons for not doing it,
Under the present status Of our govern
ment, it is hardly advisable to stir up
any new questions in which the "nig-
ger" is made the prominent feature
1t is enough now to dispose of the
tangled and knOtty questions surround
ing him at home. Those outside Of
our limits can bide their time.
His remarks on the Judiciary are
sound, and if adopted will be OF great
advantage and convenience in the ad-
minisIration Of Justice.
On the collection of claims due
Northern loyal men. from citizens Of
seeded States, he does not take the de-
cided stand we could wish to see adopt
ed. He leaves the VIII lie matter to
Congress, and by it we hope to see
adopted such measures as will force
the seceshers to disgorge part of the
plunder, thus taken from our fellow
citizens. 1t is morally right. The
mode of enforcing it may not be
strictly legal, but those who claim
equity should do equity. This, the
traitors have not done, and We are
therefore in favor of Judge Freese's
mode of enforcing collections.
The President touches lightly upon
the power of the Court of Claims, but
directly to the point. As it now stands.
the labors of the Court are very often
fruitless. Make its judgment final, and
end all useless litigation. The business
will be hereafter largely increased BY
this war, and now is the time to place
the Court on firm basis, and some.
thing more certain and conclusive, than
a voluntary arbitration.
He recommends the re annexation
Of that portion of the District Of Co
lumbia which was relinquished to Vir-
ginia. This is right--if only to place
the refractory village of Alexandria un-
der loyal rule. and as much of Virgi.
mia territory as possible. She is in a
fair way to be dismembered, and any
fragment annexed to loyal States is SO
much rescued from treason and des-
potism.
The only remaining topic Of interest
is the "Contraband question:" and 1t is
not easy TO solve, either for the Presi.
dent cor any other man."
The fact that it has already caused
an outbreak in the Cabinet, and dis
cord where all should be harmony, is a
sufficient excuse for leaving it to Con-
gress, as the President has done.
We did expect to see the Adminisira.
tion adopt some line of policy on this
vexed question. which would enable
the public to see what object they had
in view. and whether the perpetuity of
the Union and slavery was the design
OF this war, or the preservation of the
Union at all hazards, and let slavery
take care Of itself. 1t is certainly the
bull that has madly attempted to butt
the train of the track. II in the con.
test II should itself be thrown over the
embapkment and the train move on.