Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-12-16
THE RAF TsNAn's JOURNAL,
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

I THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
We this week occupy large portion of our
space with the Presidents Third Annual Mes
sage. 1t is one of the most important docu-
menfs of the times, and will be read with
much interest by all classes. The President
! treats the various subjects in terse, pointed
and pleasing, and, no doubt, satisfactory man.
ner, to loyal men generally. Perhaps, not in
| the history of our country, has II fallen to
the lot of any statesman to speak in a crisis
more momentous, to deal with questions of
graver import, or OF more varied charac-
/ ter, than the President was called upon to do
! in this insta see.
The President sets forth the cheering fact,
that our relations with Europe are of the most
amicable nature-that foreign nations are set
| ting down to really neutral position in ref
erence to our intestine difficulties-that all
questions arising out of the blockade have
been satisfactorily arranged--that the treaty
in reference TO the African slave trade has
been ratified by Great Brtian-that the qaes-
| tion of the coast rights of Cuba, aud seizure
OF property by Chilan naval off GERS. which
have been under discussion fer some time, are
| leading TO a favorable adjustment.
The course pursued by some of the natural
ICED citizens OF the United States, in eonnec-
tion with our military operations, is referred
to by the President. 1t appears that many
ma turahzed citizens deny their naturalization
to escape service in the arrny-aud that many
come to this country and are naturalzed to
escape taxation and service in other countries
The President thinks that Congress should
adopt some measures to prevent this species
of irand Congress is also nrged to establish
s0rae system by which to encourage en,igTa-
tien to the United States.
The heavy demands upon the Treasury, and
the successful operations OF Secretary Chase
in raising the means to pay ali the troops in
the field, are source ef Qualification. sid
shows forth the great resources of the country,
as we'll as the great alacrity with which those
resources are made available. The National
Banking Law is also deemed a complete sue
cess.
The army and navy are highly spoken Of.
Our armies now surpass those OF any other
nation, and our navy is equal TO nearly the
combined navies of the world. while our mill
taTS ftSouFCeS are OF an almost l0eNDauS sta lie
character.
The postal system, heretofore heavy ex-
pense to the Government, is now really self
supporting.-and the revenue from the sale of
public lands, which was materially lessened
at the commencement of the rebellion, is be-
ginning to assume lis former Importance. by
an increased sale Of lands.
The rebellion is treated at some length by
the President, who seems determined to bring
it to successful close, by adhering to the
policy enunciated in the Emaiicipatio Proc
lamation, and the several acts Of Congress.
While the President is thus firm on this sub
ject, he offers terms of peace to all who will |
throw down their arms end acknowledge the
authority of the Government Of the United
States, by subscribing to an oath of allegiance.
Upon the whole the message is ali able |
Sta te paper-dignifed, frank, brief and COM |
prehensive, and the policy enunciated therein |
will have much to do with the ssweal or woe'' |
of the future of our eountry-with the sue
cessful or unsuccessful working out of the |
greai problem of popular government.