Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-11-23
8radford 9eporter.
Towanda, Thursday, November 23, 1866.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

ACty, Ih0 aoochlbllIS VI oohS 'O0"' "iAN ''o
delivering of President JoHNsoN's message.
No document of the kind has ever been
looked for with so much interest," nor
ever read with so much cagerness as will
be the forthcoming message of the Presi-
dent. This is occasioned by the peculiar
circumstances under which President JOHN
SON assumed the helm of State, by the stu
pendous and important results which have
followed from our military operations, cul-
minating in the sudden overthrow of the
rebellion, and by the difficult task which is
now being tried, of reorganizing and recon
structing the States lately in Rebellion.
1t is idle to attempt to conceal the fact,
that the loyal people of the country have
experienced some degree of disappointment
and dissatisfaction at the action of the Ma
tional Administration in the pardon of
rebels, and in the general management of
the rebel States. A great fear has taken
hold of the public mind that the lessons of
the past were to be ignored, that the blood
in vain, and that Slavery was to be allow
ed once more to regain its former standing
and prestige. 1t was natural that a people
who had und dergone such unexampled pri-
vations, as those endured during the past
four years, should be sensitive Of the final
settlement of our National affairs, and ieal
4lo I'd
the shrine Of the Union, should have been
offered in vain.
We believe there has been a general dis
position to deal magnanimouslyw with a con-
quered foe, though that enemy had perpe
trated one Of the most mOnstrous wrongs
ever inflicted upon lenient and forbearing
been prosecuted mainly 18th view to
overthrow and subjugate the Southern peo-
pie, but to preserve the Union, and trans
NIT it to posterity redeemed from the dis
grace of Slavery, and purified from the
sum of all villianies." which was the fruit
full source of all our National troubles
Hence the public mind was not averse to
those acts of charity and dmagnanimity, which
the President might extend to "a fallen and
humbled foe, provided nothing was done to
recuscitate the hydra-headed monster, upon
whose death the Nation was resolved.
The policy of the President, i'll this
respect was not sufficiently explicit to sat
isfy the popular demand The nation clam
ored for the punishment of treason, and for
the enactment Of measures which should
secure at once the inestimable blessings to
flow from the struggle of the last four years.
The President has been tardy in acceding
to the popular demand, and disappointment
has been the consequence. We must con-
fess that in the general disappointment we
have had our full share. But as events
ripen into practical measures, it seems to
us that new hopes dawn upon the country,
and new expectations are inspired, that be-
fore the solution Of the great and intricate
question shall be fully reached, the country
will be satisfied, the security Of the future
be provided for, and the Freemen of the
country without respect to color, have all
the rights and privileges to which they are
entitled
The forthcoming message of the Presi-
dent will undoubtedly contain an cxposi-
ton Of the policy which will govern him in
regard to the restoration of the late rebell-
ious States, and which will enable the
country better to judge what he desires.
But the Congress SO soon to meet, will have
an important part i'll the reconstruction and
reorganization of the seeding States. They
will find knocking at their doors for admis
sion, Representatives. from most Of the
States lately in rebellion The President
has already authoritvely announced that
certain conditions would be indispensable
to the recognition of these States in their
rcorganiZed form, and has not hesitated to
dictate certain terms without complying
with which they need not look for favor
1t may be that Congress will not be salts
fled with the conditions imposed but will
insist'upon more adequate security for the
future peace and permanance of the coun-
try The indications are strongly in favor
of such course.
Will the President submit the whole
question to Congress, or will he endeavor
by the power Of his position to coerce or
fiatter Congress into the adoption of the
measures he may deem best suited for the
purpose? Is the President ready to make
an issue with Congress, if need be, and ere
ate disscnson in the ranks of the party to
which he owes ~! present position We
dot believe III the immnency Of such dis
aster, particularly after the warning tones
of the late elections The power of the Ad-
ministration might seduce Congressman
from the path Of duty, but there is not
Republican Congressional District which
will not hold its Representative to strict
accountability and to Jealous scrutiny in
regard to the important measures to en-
gage their attention in the ncxt Congress.
SUICIDE OF PRESTON kING-It is with no
foalino.S of rncrrat ,.,o rL