The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-26
View Of the Presidents Messase from
Canadian Htandpois6.

View Of the Presidents Mess5e rom
Oa9adian Standpoit@
The Toronto Globe has - art'cie On tue
Presidents message whisa is interesting 10
US In many respects. zno sv'o 49, -
valued journal hss always peen hoerai iu MS
remarks upon ane war In Wnicn We are en-
gagged and upon matters growing out of 1t.
His nroclipities have been with the North and
against the rebellion; and herein he greatly
diears from some Of his brother editors in
Canada, as well as in the mother country.
The first criticism on the message relates to
its brevlty, and this he considers fault
But 1t Is not Mr.. Lincoln's habit to introduce
stump speeches into his state papers. BE Is
more free from that sin than some Of his pre-
decessors were. 81
The foreign relations of the United States
are not treated SO much at length as they
ought to be In the estimation of the Globe
but the "petty States Of South America have
had more than their share Of the President's
notice. The editor Of the Globe must pardon
something to the spirit Of gratitude which 1t
Is natural and proper for the President to feel
towards those States that have sympathized
with us In our contest for the nations life.
The Gibbs thinks the President has not
been over generous in his illusions tothe Can
adam Government, and yet he does give due
credit to that Government for not having been
Intentionally unjust or uniriendly." But the
Globe tries to believe ''the- admission is made
with seeming reluctance"
Nov we don't believe any such thing. The
editor frankly admits that the "malevolent
aud persistent efforts which have been made
by portion OF the Canadian press to create
iIl-feellng between the two countries, may
and should have some influence in exciting
our suspicious and In inducing us to withhold
credit where common courtesy does not es
pecially demand it," We thank the editor OF
the Globe for such admission. Wecan readi-
ly see the force of it; for an editorial from
such quarter and on such subject would be
nothing without some touches of criticicism.
In the Presidents hints at possibility of
the modification Of the Reciprocity Treaty the
editor is glad to see that Mr.. Lincoln does not
by implication, commit himself to Its abroga-
cation. We have no difficulty In discovering
the source of the editors gladness on that
score. The truth is, this treaty Is most ex-
cellent thing for Canada, and taking into con-
sideration all Its provisions, we think our
neighbors over the line are more benefited by
them than we are. But here and now, is not
the place nor time to discuss that question.
"Mr. Lincoln.' says the Globe. .has never
displayed that spirit OF untriendliness TOW ard
Canada and Great Britain which disgraces
some of the public men of that country"
That Is quite true. Mr.. Lincoln has never
disgraced his country as some public men
have, nor quite SO much as his immediate pre-
decessors have.
As the editor of the Globe comes to that
portion of the message which discusses the
slavery question, he comes out frankly and
boldly and bestows upon the President un-
qualified praises. He quotes the following
passage from the message with feelings and
sentiments that honor his head and his heart !:
81 repeat the declaration made year ago.
that while remain In my present position
shalt not attempt to retract or medify the
emancipation proclamation, nor shall return
to slavery any person who is free Oy the
terms of that proclamation or by any Of the
Acts of Congress. In the people should, by
whatever mode or means, make it an execu-
tive duty to reinstate such persons, another
and not 1, must be the Instrument TO perform
it.n +
We are not surprised that the Editor of
the Globe should quote the above passage as
one OF the brightest gems in Mr.. Lincoln's
Message. 1t is so, and it will form one of the
brightest pages of the future historian. No
wonder the Editor says, /" Few people outside,
of the United States can fully appreciate the
strength Of principle which Mr.. Lincoln has
required to keep him true to his emancipation
decree, during the varying and trying circum-
stances of the past two years." 1t would in
deed be base, and a burning disgrace to our
Government to send back into slavery four
millions Of human beings, whom it has pro-
claimed free. Such an act would be one of
blacklist treachery. But it will never be done.
The triumph of the rebellion by force of arms
would involve less disgrace than its suppree-
sion by means OF such an act. The President
has said with an emphasis which Is felt the
world over. Another, and not I, must be tie
instrument to perform it," The Globe truly
says, :" 1t would be difficult to name an Amer
lean Statesman who could be more implicitly
relied upon to stand by the honor of his coun-
try in this essential matter, whatever circum-
stances may arise" And it seems by the re-
cent election, the American people have the
same opinion.
The President has no faith in any negotia-
lions fo- peace with Mr.. jefferson Davis. y says
the GLobs, but he has Considerable confidence
in the policy Of drawing off the rebel chief
supporters in dsteA by rendering them liberal
terms" This is undoubtedly true; for the
leaders Of the rebellion give not the slightest
indiestions of willingness TO accept any terms
but those of disunion and separate indepen-
dent Confederacy.
We agree with the Globe that the success Of
our troops in bringing back less prominent
rebels by the generous offers of amnesty must
be comparatively slow, until 1t is quickened
by defeats Of the confederate armies. Once
break JEFF Davis military power, and let the
success OF the rebellion become utterly hope
less, SO hopeless, that the most careless eoUld
not help seeing it, and the people in the rebel
States would aock back to their allegiance in
numbers that would not only surprise JeG. Da-
Wis and his coadiutors, but also astound thou
sands aud tens of thousands who have their
homes north Of Mason and Dxon's liue.
Such conviction and faith we have often
proclaimed to our readers, Underlying the
military dsspotism ofthe SO called confederate
Government, is a union sentiment which
wodd arise in its strength just as soon as the
power is removed that presses it down. Upon
this sentiment of the Southern people we re-
iy as basis for the reconstruction Of the
Union. Snbjugation ia lite common accepta-
ton would not become necessary b9t only the
breaking up and scattering OF the military
,,o,, ~ which the lNa Aors of the uohoIlion uo.o