Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-14
UNION
The Southern Press ON the Presidents
MeSsSgc-Tiie south Accepts IL as y
Wise and Patriotic Paper

| From the Richmond Times
The profound anxiety Of our readers vii
be relieved this morning by the appearance,
of the message of President Andrew John
son. Its perusal will show that the popular
estimate Of his patriotic frmness was no
erroneous, and that the exalted office which
he holds has elevated him high above tn,
clamor and menaces of faction.
! To the South the firm, decided opinions o
the President upon this subject will bring
unspeakable joy. As the COMMANDMENT.
Chief of the army and navy, he can, at any
moment, remove the military, and, as the
President of the United States, he can, By
the exercise of the veto power, prevent the
consummation of all Radical schemes fol
garrisoning the South. He is completely
master of the position, and although a Rad
zeal Congress may exclude our representa-
tives, they cannot make us the victims OF
unjust and oppressive legislation.
In the frank, manly announcement OF
the President that he has taken every
necessary step to restore the constitutional
relations Of the Southern States, and de-
sires them to resume their places in both
branches of the National Legislature, and
thereby complete the work of restoration"
as soon as they have adopted "the constitu-
tional amendment abolishing slavery" he
makes fair, bold issue with Congress. \
Profoundly interested as the people of the
South are in that portion of the President
message which We have considered, we shall
| not pretend to discuss any other portion of
it at this time. We rise from the perusal
| of this message almost overcome with emo
tions of thankfulness to God, that between
our defeated section and the bowling pas
sions of Radical Congress there is inter
posed the granite will of Andrew johnson
The President having officially announced
| the single condition for our readmission
which he demands of the South it becomes
| our imperative duty to strengthen his position
by prom ut acquiescence in his wishes
| From the Augusta (Ga.J Constitutionalist.l
| Its tone is thorough and conservative; its
propositions sharply defined its reasoning
mainly correct. No one, however obtuse, can
| fail to discover a generation for the Consti-
| tuition veining through its every ramifica-
tion like golden streaks in porphyry tab
| let. Upon that august instrument the Presi-
| dent fixes his faith and draws his inspiration.
| Through it he makes revelation of national
| life, and summons all to worship at the same
| shrine-the tabernacle of true Republican
principle. 1t must be kept in mind, how
| ever, that though the power of the President
is vast, it is not omnipotent, and though his
words be as eloquent as those of Chrysostom,
they may fall upon listeners more needless
than granite lions on city gate. How glad
" would we of the South welcome a return
to the mild interpretings of the Constitution;
how poignantly have we beheld it trampled
upon and spat at. That glorious compact
has suffered pollution at the hands of fanat-
les we applaud the Presidents appeal for
its restoration to the Ark of Covenant.
At present, we can bestow but superficial
glance at the different theories. We counsel
an attentive perusal by all our people and
commend to them and to our lawgivers
these remarkable words {" So long as the
Constitution of the United States endures,
the States will endure the destruction of
the one is the destruction of the other the
preservation of the one is the preservation of
the other"
From the Columbus. GA SUM-
The long expected and anxiously looked
for message may be seen in full by reference
to our fourth page. 1t is one of the ablest
state papers that has been given to the coun-
try for the past twenty years, and carries the
mind back to the days of Madison and Jefier-
son. The paper shows that its illustriOus
author is thorough expounder Of the Con
stitution, that he has carefully and pro-
foundly investigated it in all bearings upon
the vital questions of the day, thereby show
ing very decidedly that, according to the
Constitution, a State may for while, sus-
pend its functions, but not entirely destroy
them, or dissolve State relations from the
several States.
From the Memphis Commercial.l
We have read the Presidents message
with great care and attention, and we regard
its whole tenor and spirit as highly favorable
to an early admission of the Representatives
of the Southern States to their seats in Con-
gress The only measure remaining for con-
summation, and which is deemed necessary
as a farther pledge for the security of peace
and union, is the adoption Of the Constitu-
tional amendment by each of the Southern
States On this point the President says:
" The adoption of the amendment reunites
us beyond all power of disruption. 1t heals
the wound that is still imperfectly closed it
removes slavery, the element which has long
divided the country; it makes of us once
more a united people, renewed and strength
ened, bound more than ever to mutual atfec-
ton and support"
"The amendment to the Constitution be- |
ing adopted, 1t pOuid remain for the States, |
u.ose polcers hare been so long IN allegiance, to
resume their places IN The t,co branches af the |
National Legislature, and thereby complete the
work Of restoration"
''Here it is for you, fellow-citizens of the |
Senate, and for you, fellow-citizens of the |
House Of Representatives, to judge, each Of |
YOU for yourselves, of the elections, returns |
and qualifications Of your own members"
This language is clear and cannot be mis- !
taken. The President declares, in emphatic |
terms, that 'the work of restoration" is COM |
pletc upon the adoption of the Constitu- |
tional amendment. 1t is true he says that |
the Senate and House must judge each for |
themselves of the elections, returns, and |
qualifications" of their own members,-not |
Of the right Of those States to representa- |
ton, but of the elections returns, and quail |
fications. The Constitution has made each |
House the Judge, in these cases, and it was |
all Mr.. johnson could do. But as to the |
question of restoration, so far as the Presi |
dent can determine it, there is left no doubt |
of the Presidents decision.
From the Memphis August
The Presidents message will not prove |
acceptable to the Northern radicals. They |
NAV commend it in general terms now, but |
will soon declare against it. 1t is not vim |
dictve toward the South, and for that, if no |
other objection were presented, it will incur |
their displeasure.
The points in which we Of the South are
more directly interested just now are res
toration we will not say reconstruction
and "negro suffrage" Many feared that
the radical pressure upon the President
would prove too formidable for resistance
and compel a change of views. That fear
has been dissipated by the message, in which
the principles so often enunciated by the
President are not only reiterated, but
strengthened by the strongest arguments.
His policy was, then, intended for no ex-
pertinent bot fnality, unless Congress de-
tcrmined otherwise.
The President has kept his word with our
people. who, instead Of becoming disheart-
ened, have every reason to be hopeful FOR
the future. 1t is certain that the President
will spare no effort to ensure the prompt
restoration Of the Southern States to their old
position of equality in the Union.
From the Mobile Register and Advertised
Since the installation Of the first President
of the United States there have never existed
such clements to invoke and to inspire
great State paper as those which surrounded