Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-12-20
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1869
The Presidents Message.

We had the pleasure Ct last week Of fur
nishins 20 each subscriber to the STANDARD
= supplement containing the most important
State document ever issued by the Chief
Magistrate of our country. Limited space
how forbids q review of its contents, further
than To commend its main features. us Tx
pressed in the plain. terse. earnest, unassu'n'
ing style so peculiar to the man who shapes
the destiny Of the nation. The President
places himself %squarely before the people on
tbs emancipation scheme. believing that it is
I'M essential measure TO the restoration Of the
Union. In slavery he finds the bane, i'll
emancipation the antidote. In slavery he
recognizes not only the great moving cause of
the present terrible war, but the mighty lever
by which the ball is kept rolling. He. there
fore, not only advises gradual emancipation
as a safeguard Of our national prosperity for
the future, but as all effective means Of strik-
ing at the roo: of the deadly Upas Of treason
which is shedding devastation and ruin over
our once happy and prosperous country. The
thousands of lives which have been sacrificed,
and the millions of treasure expended, call
for at least these, if not larshcr, measures.
The reasoning advanced is conclusive, aud
the scheme cannot but receive the approba-
ton of everybody who really desires tho res
toration Of the Union in all its pristine glory.
The compensation policy, designed even
exclusively as it is for the benefit Of loyal
masters, may not meet the approval Of those
who have been on tho alert to find causes
upon which to hinge opposition to the Admin
istration. The President assumes that as
tho whole nation is morally responsible for
the ~blighting effects Of slavery, the united
people should assist in its eradication. lie,
therefore proposes an amendment to the Con-
s~titution by which sucllaid may be'rendered
by the General Government. 10 this propo.
sition we expect, and will doubtless receive,
the opposition Of those who sympathize with
the rebellion, and that class, scarcely less obi
Gus, who desire to rear the name of party upon
the ruins Of our nationality. The President
anticipates this latter opposition when he says.
W. waste much strength among ourselves.
"By mutual concessions we con harmonizc
"and act together. This would he a CON-
"promise with tho friends aud not with the
"enemies of the Union" W. maintain, and
believe that none who carefully read and pom
der npon the views Of the President regard.
ing emancipation, can honestly and consci.
cautiously disagree with the great truths so
plainly set forth.
OF all the unjust criticisms bestowed upon
the Message, the chief thrust seems to be
founded on the fact that the President merely
hints at the topic which many supposed would
have engrosscd his principal attention-the
proclamation Of freedom to the slaves in those
States remaining in rebellion on the LIST Of
January. 1863. liz doubtless deemed it un.
essential to argue that subject at length.
Having Indicated the course lie intends to
adopt in case the rebel States do not vince! in
line at the specified time. bs devotes himself
to the present work-to winning back the
love OF our "crring and misguided BRETHREN
ere tho stroke shall b. dealt which will ami.
hilate the sacred institution"
Doubtless many errors have occurred in
the transmission Of the Message by telegraph.
In comparing the different versions given by
California papers. We notice several inmate.
,ial discrepancies. II the copy received by
mail differs materially in any particular from
the one given by us. We will lose no time in
correcting the error.