Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-08
p The 81, Pre.iden,,s Message.

u nc NANcSs-e
q President LINcoLN's annual message will
be found In our columns this morning.
Evidently,it was not written by the Presi-
dent himself. 1t is more smoothly written
than any document the paternity of which
has been, attributed to him. Its breyity
win command for it general perusal. The
condition Of our foreign affairs is summed
ND in the statement that they are ''reason-
ably satisfactory" We are, however, in
formed that "unforseen political difficulties
have arisen. and especially in Brazilian and
Britishports and on the Northern boundaries
ofthe United States, which have required,
and are likely to continue to require, the
practice of constant vigilance and a just
and conciliatory spirit on the part of the
United States, as well as the nations con-
cerned and their governments" Direct
reference Is not made to the Florida
affair; but this sentence furnishes
conclusive evidence that the Admin
istration will tender to the Brazilian.
Government whatever apology she may
ask touching that affair. Clearly, we are
not in "a condition to provoke the ill-will of
any foreign Government at this time, and
hence we shall be under the necessity of
occasionally pocketing insults and apollo
gizing for things that under more favorable
circumstances we should be very far from
doing
Our finances are in that .facora51e condi
tion as to require a further increase of our
already bnrthensome taxation, and the is
sue of additional Government issues, that
shall be exempt from taxation and seizure
for debt, is recommended. The extinction
of State Banks is suggested as necessity
and as good. OF course, everything in
the shape of State institutions and State
sovereignty, in this day, when strong,
imperial Government is advocated, should
not be tolerated.
But what of the Rebellion? This is the
question that is uppermost in the minds of
the great mass of, the people. Does the
Message convey the idea that it is in the
throes of total extinction-that it is about
to draw its last gasp?
3 No! We are told that we have advanced
beyond the positions we held last year, and
that SHERMAN is driving through Georgia;
but a conjecture as to the result of that eX
pedition is not ventured. An argument
ia, however, based upon the vote given at
the Presidential election on the Sth of No
'vember last, that we are abundantly
able of prosecuting the war indefinite
ly. To people who are subject to
do military duty and who have
dread of drafts, this will be anything
else than consolatory. 1t antagonizes the
assurances given to the people by the friends
of Mr.. LINCOLN before the election, that his
reelection would cause speedy termina-
tion of the war. Capable of prosecuting
the war indefinitely, without seeking to ter
inmate it by negotiation, we may be; but it
Is questionable whether that is the desire
of the people. l.ls.l uf
The abolition of slavery throughout the
United States by an amendment to the Con-
stitution is again urged upon Congress, and
a determination to adhere inflexibly to the
emancipation proclamation is avowed. Di-
vested of all extraneous matter, Mr.. LIN
COINS position is, that war must be prose-
cuted until the rebels abolish slavery and
lay down their arms. Under this Admin
istration, peace is to be secured on no other
terms, We can, therefore, with certainty
predict that the war will continue at least
four years longer.