Smyrna times., 1865-12-13
The Opinions,

Perhaps no message, not even Washingtons
ever received such universal commentator as
that OF President johnson. -Four hundred cd
itosials from American journals, commenting
on the message, had been received ut the White
House at last accounts, and ont Of this number
but four dissented from tho Presidents views
very materially. For the party that e!evates
an Executive to Office to approve of his annual
messages is expected, but for such general ac-
ceptance, BY all grades of opinion, after such a
VIDE difference of political creeds, such "wsr
OF words" land swords too) between opposing
parties, as in this instance, is as surprising as
1t Is gratifying. Of one thing oil seem to be
agreed-that it is an able, logical, statesman.
like document To give an idea of the views
OF few leading journals, such as give the key
note to public opinion among the various par
ties we make the following brief extracts:
The New York Tribune, a leading "Radi-
cal" organ, says:
We doubt whether any former message
has, on the whole, contained so much that will
be generally and justly approved, with so iittle
that will or should provoke dissent 1t il !
State paper of Sigual ability and unusual frank,
hess
The New York Times. Republican, (Sew.
ards organl says:
The whole document is one of which every
American nay we'll be proud, for itaRlevation
OF tone, ITS practical wisdom and its quiet ex-
hlbltlcn Of the national strength and glory. Ii
vii! DC admired not only at home, but cannot
FAIL OF making most favorable impression all
over the civilized world "
The New York Daily Necs, bitter rebel,
and an exponent of copperhead sentiment in
this locality
rs not on the whole pleased with the docu-
ment. We cannot accept the Presidents the
ory that the States are not sovereign, and that
they had no right to secede, yet it must be ad-
mltted that the war was fought to establish
and that It's results have practically establish
ed. that theory, save that of the sovereignty Of
the States.
1t also thinks it too mild on Mexico. 1t is
from this class of journals that dissent arises
The Journal Of Commerce (Democratic) says
= 1t will take rank among the noble docu
ments of our history, and we may be pardoned
the expression of hope that it IS the inaugu
ration OF return to that style of message
which has not for a long period been in use in
Washington AS whole the tone o.
tho message is likely to be acceptable to con
Servative men,
The next is southern view, from the Rich
mond Wing:
"Wharever may be the action of Congress
and however much the restoration policy Of
! President johnson may be contravcned or mod
iicd by its legislation, it is due to that eminent
statesman to say that in his message-tha
gravest form Of official utterance-he has fully
met the highest expectations of the conserva
tive and patriotic classes Of the country,
The Richmond Sentinel, formerly jeff. Da
Wis organ) says:
"Thc message is in most respects what il
was expected to be. As to it's merits, VIC pre-
sumo any Southern opinion would be ruled on
As intrusive. The message is not to US
Il was Scnt to Congress, but our representa-
tivcs Were not there to hear, because they were
not allowed to be there"