The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-12-23
The Presidents Message.

The length OF President Johnsou's
Message, precludes the possibility of our
laying it entire before the readers Of the
LEDGER. The following telegraphrc
synopsis, which we find in our exchan.
ges, gives a clear conception of its lead
ing features. The President says in SUBJ
stance
"The resistance to the General Govern,
meut has exhausted itself The 6rs,
question which occurred was whether the
territory within the limits Of the States
which attempted TO secede should he held
as conquered territory under military
authority emanating from the President.
lie considered that Military Governments
established for an indefinite period would
have offered no security for the early
suppression Of discontent, but would
have divided the people into vanquished
classes and caused envenomed hatred
rather than restored affection. The true
theory is that all pretended acts Of se-
cesslon were, from the beginning, null
aud VOID. States cannot commit treason.
nor secede In their individual citizens who
may have committed treason. States at.
tempting to secede, placed themselves in
a condition where their functicrs were
suspended, but not destroyed" :" But if
any State neglec,s or refuses to perform
it's offices, there is the more need that
the General Government should maiL tain
its authority, and as soon ms practicable
resume its official functions. On this
principle he acted. Gradually and equal.
ly, by almost impercep,ible steps, he
sought to restore the righ,ful energy Of
the General Government and OF the
States. To that end Provisional Cover
nors were appointed. All parties in the
late terrible conflict must work together
in harmony. il is not too much 10 ask
Of one side that the plan OF restoring shall
proceed in conformity with the willing
ness to cast the Disorders Of the past in o
oblivion. and that on the other ride the
evidence of sincerity in the future main.
tenance OF the Union shall be put beyond
any doubt bv the ratification OF the pro
posed anti slavery amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States. rhis
amendment being adopted, it would re.
8a'n Tor the States to resume their func
tons, take their place In tn two branches
Of Congress, and thereby complete the
work OF restoration.
"The President says he has no author.
ity to make the freedmen electors. That
remains with the States. They can de
eide whether il is't6 be adopted at once
or introduced gradually with a condition.
Good faith, however, requires laws for the
security Of the freedmen il their liberty,
property. right to labor, and to claim
jurisdiction Of their labor.
1T will be his constant aim 10 pro
mote peace and unity with all foreign
nations, aud believes all OF them are an.
ima,ed by the same disposition. The
accordance Of belligerent rights TO insur.
gent States Was urjusli6able, but Grea,
Britain was an exception. She built
ships, furnished men and material Of war
to the insurgents. Justification for il
cannot be sustained before the tribunal
Of the world. At the same time he does
not advise any present attempt at redress
by acts OF legislation, for the future
friendship between the countries must
rest on the basis Of mutus! justice.
1--WE have wisely forborne propagand
ism Of republicansm, but il il should be
because Of some great calamity TO cur.
selves. and in the cause Of good govern.
ment, any foreig n power should challenge
the American people to its defence,
against foreign Interference. he relics on
the wisdom and justice OF those power.
to respect the sys,em Of non interference
which has so long been sanctioned by
time"