The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-09
THE MESSAGE.

We were not able to notice IN the same
number with its publication, the message OF
President JOHNSON, one of the ablest State
papers that has emanated from the National
Executive in all our history. He strikes at
once the key note Of the Union, and that
Union perpetual, "the sovereignty of the
States," says he 'is the language of the Con-
federacy, and not the language of the Consti-
tution.n "The Union of the United States
of America. was intended by its authors, to
last as long as the States themselves shall
last And it is the indestructibility and su-
premacy Of the General Government, which
he gives as the fundamental idea which has
governed him in his policy of reconstruction.
Assuming that States cannot commit suicide
nor legally secede, he recognizes the fact that
the South has been i'll a position hostile to
the Government, and the need of care and
caution. and the maintenance of Federal Su-
premacy, in the work of reconstruction. As
to the treason committed by individuals, his
views remain as when he gave expression to
them at the time of his Inauguration.
at is manifest that treason most fragrant
in character, has been committed. Persons
who are charged with its commission should
have fair and impartial trials in the highest
civil tribunals of the country, in order that
the Constitution and the laws may be fully
vndicated: the truth clearly established and
affirmed that treason is crime. that traitors
should be punished and the offense made in.
famous; and, at the same time, that the ques-
ton may be judicially settled, finally and for
ever, that no State of its own will has the
right to renounce its place in the Union.''
In relation to the freedmen it is a consde-
rate philanthropy and fixed sense of Justice
that leads him to say ''it is equally clear that
good faith requires the security of the freed.
men in their liberty and their property, their
right to labor and their right to claim the
just return of their labor. | cannot too
strongly urge dispassonate treatment of
this subject, which should be carefully kept
aloof from all party strife. We must equally
avoid hasty assumptions of any natural i'm
possibility for the two races to live side by
side. in a state of mutual benefit and good
will. The experiment involves us in no in
consistency; let us, then go on and make
that experiment in good faith and not be too
easily disheartened.''
His review OF the Department Reports are
clearly presented. and show facts which call for
the wisest action and profoundest statesman
ship of all branches oft this and subsequent Ad-
ministrations.
His treatment of foreign affairs is eminent
ly judicious. And in regard to England es-
pecially, while wisely considering our present
unhtness for war, and counsellng peace, he
speaks so plainly and strongly of the unjust
policy of that Government during our late
war, that his words will doubtless make
marked impression across the waters
The first message issued after the close of
our great struggle, with peace restored, and
the traces of the woes of war rapidly disap-
pearing, his are applicable words in closing.
Where, in past history, does a parallel
exist TO the public happiness which is within
the reach of the people Of the United States
Where, in any part of the globe, can institu-
tons be found so suited to their habits or so
entitled to their love, AS their own free Con-
stitution? Every one of them. then in what
ever part of the land he has his home. must
wish It's perpetuity. Who of them will not
now acknowledge, in the words of Washing
ton that every step by which the people of
the United States have advanced to the char.
acter Of an independent nation. seems to have
been distinguished 10y some token of proyi.
Dental agency Who will not join with me
in the prayer. that the invisible hand which
has led us through the clouds that gloomed
around our path, will so guide US onward to
q perfect restoration of fraternal affection.
that we of this day may be able to transmit
our great inheritance. of State Governments
in all their rights, of the General Government
in its whole constitutional vigor, TO our pos.
terity, and they to theirs through countless
generations