Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-12-11
Jbe Obio 5tatesman
MANYPEhNY T. dILLER, Publishers.
COLUMBUS, OEIO: -
FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER IL, 1883.
The Presidents Message.

The reader will fad In this number of tie
STArE'M.N the PfssideDts message in fu'l, " tn
the proclamation appended. These docume 10
occupy 30 much of our space that We have lit
tie room lett for comment. This message
comes before the country at most critical
period 10 its history-at tine when the most
impartial patriotism and the wisest far seeiag
statesmenship are required in the Executive
head OF the Republic. But whatever the merits
or defects Of the message In other respects, II
must be painfully apparent 10 every man OF
intel igence and ref ascton that it 10 sadly want
Ing In tho great qualities alluded to.
What the public will most eagerly seek for
10 the message Is the Pfesldens's exposition
Of his policy In reference to slavery end
the reconstruction Of the Union. On the f;st
point, he admits that under our political sys-
TEN, the General Government has no lawful
power to effect emancipation In sBy State, aad
that It was resortei to oaly as military meas.
uTe, having no warrant or authority 10 our Ma.
tional Constitution. The plea of necessity only
is set up in lite justification. The same may DO
said Of the employment Of negro slaves as SOL
diers. The President seems to think that tho
result of the late elections is sn encourage
ment to proceed in carrying out and periecting
these measures.
Bat the great aud absorbing subject Of inter-
est 10 the message is the Pfesldent's plan for
the resumption Of the national authority In
States wherein that authority hiss been suspend.
cd; or In other wjrds, for the restoration Of
the Union. To this end be proposes by procla-
masi IN lest oath to be taken by all citizens Of
such s!ttse-by the loyal aud disloyal alike
without exception; as condition Of being al
lowed the right t, vote at elections and Of be.
ing recognised as citizens, and entitled as such
to the projection of the United States Govern
ment. The proclamation proffsrs q full pardon
on taking the prescribed oath, to participants In
the rebellion, excepting officials and certain
others In the Confederate service. But no per.
son can, by the terms Of the proclamation. be
allowed to vote or be regarded as q citizen With
out taking the oath.
The President says no man 10 coerced 70
take the oath; 1. Is 9 voluntary act on hit
part. But II he refuses, he 10 treated t
q lrebel, an enemy and an outlaw. II
this be not coercion, We confess We do not
understand the meaning Of that term. The
odious feature Of tnis portion Of the message
is, that It treats all the people 10 Texas, Arksn-
sas, Louiaians, Mississippi, Tennessee, A'ai
bsma, Georgia, Florida, South and North
Carollns, without exception, as rebels or as
public enemies; none Of whom can be recog- |
nizsd as citizens Of their State or Of the United
States, unless they swear to abide by and faith
fully support all ac's Of Congress and all proc.
lAma.ions Of she President for freeing negro
slaves and employing them In the military and
naval service of the United States. e,e,
Hsrsin 10 fall recognition and recommenda-
lion BY President LInooLN Of the estate sui.
tide" doctrine Of Senator svxyEl, Solicitor