Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-10
WHAT THE PRESS THINKS OF IT.

The newspaper press generally. throughout
the country. speaks very highly of the Mes
sage. The Philadelphia Press in commenting
upon it, says:
"lt must be said of the President that he
never takes up any subject without exhaust
ing it. he approaches every conclusion calm
ly. slowly. and without passion while. at
times, We see what might be called hesitation
and irresoluffon, in the end we know that the
spirit of the patriot has inspired every senti-
ment and deed. So much magnanimity--s
much justice--so much consideration for mi
norities-so much humanity-so much for
bearance TO those who have erred-we do not
often see in those who rule empires"
The Pittsburg Gazette remarks: mot only
at home among ourselves, but abroad in Eu-
rope. in every quarter of the civilized world
in fact-nay, in the rebel States themselves
there is just one subject oil paramount impor-
tance, in comparison with which all others
sink into very insignifcance. On this great
subject, to wit, the Proc lamation of the 22nd
of September last, the Message is very brief.
but very satisfactory-that is, TO all parties
above mentioned, save and except the rebels
The President merely refers 10 that Proclama-
tion as fact accomplished, the mighty sequel
Of which, its complement and inevitably
pledged completion, the revolution Of thirty
days must bring about. This is the pvots
point, as the President well knows, on which
ali success against the Rebellion must rest or
rather must turn and so fully is this realized,
that he does not even review the controversy
un the subject, but, as we have said, jnst
sumes that matter as fixed and irreyocablc
fact"
The New York Erening Post says: .But the
main topic of the Message is not our foreign
relations, nor our domestic war, but that stu
pendous evil. slavery, which is the cause alike
OF foreign and domestic danger. Mr.. Lincoln
sees, with lhe utmost dstnctness. that sla
very lies at the root of all our national troub-
les, and with candor that does him honor,
he is striving in various ways to get lid of that
evil. As Commander in. Chief of the armies
he hurs against il the battle axe, he chops il
into pieces with his military arm, he DEGREES
that it is support and means of the war, and
as such shall no longer exist All this he has
the most unquestionable right to do ; but fear
ing that his military pronunciamento may not
be as effective as be desires, he renews the as
sault as President. In that capacity his pow
er is restrained by constitutional limits he is
no longer the warrior, amenable only to the
code of Nations; he is a simple municipal
magistrate, bound by the s,rictest rules, and
he can do only what the law allows, or the
representatives Of the people authorize. He
begs them. therefore, to procure such an a.
nIendment of the Constitution as shall enable
IL r---i ha-------- ~r>--.---~---
the States IN the gradual extinction of sla-
very. Mr.. Lincoln is also pro-
foundiy right in his inference that the effect
will not cease until the cause is extnguisbed
mat men who take up arms against a benef
cent government in order to protect special
interest, will net lay down those arms till ,ha,
interest is either appeased or put ont of the
way. The war has given us an opportunity
Tor doing so, which none but fools would neg
iect- Slavery must be got rid of by the strong
hand or by legislation Mr. Lincoln says, by
both: by the strong hand in the impenitent
rebel States, and by equitable legislation in
ihe ioyai States. IF slavery be
curse, as WE all know it is if the continuance
of it is Incompatible, as the President argues.
with the continuance of the Union-then it
must be destroyed at once. No nation has a
right to inhct a curse upon posIerity no leg
isiator can weigh for a moment the interests
Of special class against integrity and preser-
vation of his country.''
The President gives a very satisfactory
statement of our Foreign citations, and dis
cusses the financial affairs of the country with
ability. He refers to the Public Lands. the
Indian troubles. the Pacific Railroad, and 9th
er subjects, which will be examined and re-
garded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. ac-
cording to the prepossessions of individuals
on these subjects. The message is one of the
most important documents that has ever ema-
mated from the National Executive. and will
be read with more interest than any proceed
ing one 1t is brief. and yet SO pointed that
there is no mist aking its meaning 1t is a
statesmanlike production dealing plainly with
stern facts and questions, and entirely free
from any political capital; and hence will be
favorabiy received by both the friends and op
ponent's of MIR. Lincoln's Administration.
Read it,
THE HERO OF THE MONITOR AGAIN AFLoAr.
-Commander Worden, whose services on the
Monitor have been so highly appreciated by
his country. will sail from this city next week
in better ship than even the Merrimac's an. |
His eyes are well enough for dntv