The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-04
MONE'taELyER. VT.
WEDNESDAY,, DEC. 4, 1861.
The Message.

The Message
We have space Tor but few comments upon tic
message of President Lincoln, and it hardly
needs any. 1t is a singularly clear and concise
document in ell its statements. and modest
piaEn' and straightforward in all its sugges
tlons. The discussion Of our foreign relations
Is temperate, brief pointed and firm, closing
very properly with the suggestion Of addtio
al coast and harbor delences not 50 much On
account OF any unprecedented danger Of u coils
ION with foreign powers, as " precautionary
measure. A!any Of the suggestions Of the mes
sage IS TO legislation to meet the anomalous
state OF affairs III The Country are OF the utmost
Importance, especially those relating to the Su
preme Court, and 70 the establishment Of tyj-
bunals IN the insurgont States, as fast as tney
may be Ee-occupied by our troops, of tribunals
IN which lawful ciAims against citizens of the
disloyal States may be prosecuted. The Agricul-
tural interests of the Country also will be pleased
to learn that there is now an Executive at the
head of the Government who is ready to ,ec
ognizo that Important department Of industry
as worthy the attention and patronage of Con
gress.
lhc discussion OF the negro question only
looks TO providing some way for colonzins the
persons OF color who may, through the instru-
mentality OF State legislation, or by the acct
dents or necessities of war, have lost their mas.
ters. Ihe President does not, however. at au
DISCUSS the question Of Slavery as an element of
strength or weakness to either party in this war
nor suggest any further leg slation in respect to
'he conhscat'on OF Slave property, though he
lntinaies his opinion that such a measure
should not be rcsorted to until it is deemed in.
oiSpehsaole In putting down rebellion, and that
period has not yet arrived
Enc only argumentative portion of the mes.
sage IL devoted to brief discussion of nonnl,r !
'n''''o 'iohs' and the relutation of that heresy I
Oh treason, that capital should own labor end |
ing with d conclusive statement of the d;onitv
and independence of free labor.
The message closes with an apnronrio.e ,ec.
oI'"oe 10 'he magnificent future in store for this
Nation 1t Its unity is preserved "The strue.
gle II olo"dy, is not altogether for to-day. It
10 'or a vast future Also" With ths blessing of
providence. 1t is fer the loyal men of the coun.
sry to make that future
"eshoald have liked the message much bet.
Ter Ii IL had erapped earnestly with the oues- !
lions growing out Of the relations Of Slavery .,
70 tile present war, and we think the Country
Viii be disappointed at the somewha, vague and {
Uncertain utter"nccs of the message in this par c
'cu!Ar' 1t hardly has the true ring of the ut.
'erance OF MY Lincoln in Independence Hall -
asst fe9FuAry' Ba:, perhaps, the President Q
housu' tha6 Congress, more freshly from the +
people, ana more recently acquainted with their
eHtimenta aud opinions would need no surces a
iohs' out would nausuratc some legislation OF t
AeiF own aud If he did SO suppose he is nos i
likely to be disappoin ed. v