Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The message of President johnson seems to
meet with q singular unanimity of approval.
All our exchanges which have reached us to-
day with comments on this document, echo the
expressions of public sentiment here, endors-
ing the statesmanliAe propositions, and argu-
ments supporting the Presidents policy. The
indestru etibility of the Governments the Con-
stitutisnal abolition Of human slavery; the
Dignity of Labor, by which the people are
made independent and self-sustaining; the
maintenance of the public Credit by economy
in the public expenditures and punctualty in
the payment of the public debt; non interven-
ton of foreign powers with the continental
Republic" aLd enlangling alliances with none
Of the nations of the earth, are the characters
tics Of the message.
The policy respecting the freedmen Is clearly
set forth, and cannot fail of gratifyng the entire
conservative element of the country. The
President shows that a con cession of the cleo
tive franchise to the freedmen, by the act of the
President of the United States, must have been
extended to all colored men, wherever found,
and SO must have established change Of SUI
fragc N the Northern, Middle and Western
States, not less than in the Southern and South.
western. But while he considers it incompe-
tent for the General Government to extend the
elective franchise in the several Stltes, the
security of the freedmen In their liberty, prop
erty, and right to claim a return for labor, Is
regarded as principle TO be strictly observed.
.'The public interest,"" he says, "will be best
prCmot, q, If the several States will provide
adequate protection and remedies for the freed
men. Until this Is in some way accomplished,
there Is no. chance Tor the advantageous use OF
their labor; and the blame of ill-success will
not rest on them. L know that sincere philan-
thropy IL Earnest for the Immediate realization
Of --.,..x A..
nent in reform. 1t IS one of the greatest acts
on record to have brought four millions of pee
pie into freedom. The career of free indus
try must be fairly opened to them; and then
their future prosperity and condition
must, after all. rest mainly on themselves If
they fail, and so perish away let us be careful
that The failure shall not be attributable TO
any denial of justice. In all that relates to the
destiny OF the freedmen, we may not be too anx-
ious to read the future; many instances which,
from speculative point of view, might raise
alarm, will quietly settle themselves"
To sum up in brief, the Presidents platform
may be stated to be:
1. The Union-a perpetual Government Of
the people.
9. TIE Federal Con institution creating a
limited Government of defined powers, and
involving a protection OF the rights Of the
States
3. The States OF the Union-Limited Gov.
ernments OF underlined powers, subordinate to
the Federal Union and pledged TO the protec-
ton OF individual freedom
Military Governments Objectionable, be.
cause Indefinite as to time and in yolying the
exercise Of too great patronage and power.
S. The Constitutional amendment abolishing
Siavery-a link to cement the Union beyond all
Pov'rs of disruption.
6. The Elective Franchise-belongs to the
States, and any attempt Of the President to con-
fer 1t would be an assumption Of unconstitu-
tional power.
2. The Freedmen must be protected in their
rights.
e Internal Ccmmerce-Should be free with
out State stricuOns or levy Of tribute.
o. donopolies are odious and ought not to be
tolerated.
10. The Curreucy-Should be restored to a
sound basis, and the payment Of the National
debt provided for.
III. The British Interpretation of neutrality is
unsound, and cannot be justified by the law of
nations.
II Maintenance by us with the affairs of
other nations, and reciprocal non interference
by Europe with American affairs