The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1865-12-13
Synopsis Of President Johrson's Message.

WANJNCT0N d. e., Dee. >, 1875.
Meeting Of CongveSs-Thc Presidents Recon.
strt1ctlon policy-DutcS of the States and the
General GavernDent-The right of FranchiSc-
Great Blitain's Neutrality, etc.
The presidents Message was delivered to Con
gress to-day. lie saws, tie resistance to the
General Government has exhausted itself. The
first question which occurred was whether the
territory within the limits Of the States which
ATTEMPTED to seccde should be held as con-
euered territory under military authority en-
anating from the President. He considered that
Military Governments established tor an lnueh
mite period would have offered no security Tor
xae early suppression of discomfort, but would
bave divided the people into vanquiShed classes
andcaused evenomed hatred rather than restored
affection. The true theory is that all pretended
sets Of secession were, from the beginning null
and void. States cannot commit treason nor Sc
eede in their individual citizens who may have
committed treason. States attemting to Secede.
Slaced themselves in a condition where their
functions were suspended, but not destroyed.
But if any State neglects or refuses to perform
It's offices, there is the more need that the Gene
Yal Government should maintain its, authority,
and as soon as practicable resume its official tune
lions. On this principle he acted. Gradually
and equally, by almost impossible steps, he
sought to restore the rightfu energy OF the Gen-
eral Government and Of the the States. 10 that
end Provisional 'GoyeCnors were appointed. All
parties in the late terrible conflict must work to-
gether in harmony. 1t is not too mach to ask
Of one side that the plan of restoring shall pro-
eeed in conformity with the willingness to cast
the disorders of the past into oblivion, and that
On the other side the evidence Of sincerity in
the future maintenance of the Union shall be
put beyond any doubt by the ratification Of the
proposed antislaVery amendment to the ConStl-
tution of the United States. This amendment
being adopted, it would remain for the States to
fesumeItheir functions, take their place IN the
two branches of Congress, and thereby complete
the work of restoration.
The President says he has no authority to
make the freedmen electors. That remains with
the States. They can decide whether it is to be
adopted at once or introduced gradually with
condition. Good faith, however, requires laws
Fer the security of the freedmen in their liberty,
property, right to labor, and to claim jurisdiction
Of their labor.
It will be his constant aim TO promote peace
and unity with all foreign nations, and believes
all of them are animated by the same disposition.
The accordance Of beligerent rights to insurgent
An exception. She built ships, furnished men
aud material of war to the insurgents. Justifca-
ton for it cannot be sustained before the tribu-
nal 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
Two countries must rest on the basis ofmutual JUS
tee.
We have wisely forborne propagandism of re-
publicanism, but if it should be because of some
great calamity to ourselves, and in the cause OF
good government, any foreign power should chal-
Ienge the American people to its defence, against
foreign interference, he relies on the wisdom and
Justice of those powers to respect the system OF
non-interference which has SO long been sane
toned by time.