Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-09


The London Times of Monday, December 10Th,
says
The summary of Mr. Lincoh's message 10 Con-
gress, received by the Asia, contains little from
which the people of the North can derive any en-
couragement consolation. 1t is the fourth year of
the war; and the position Of the Government, mill
tary and financial is rapidly growing worse yet the
predictions often made and always talsied by the
event are again haZarded with much confidence
as ever. The question between The South and North
is one that can Ee tried only by war, and decided
only by victory which must be in favor of the strong
est On this point the North never had the slight
est doubt. The message chectually destroys any
expectations OF peace. Butler, II was supposed,
spoke By official Inspiration; but the message proves
concusively that Butler notthe oracle the pub
Tic supposed.
As to confscatng estates, it is necessary first to
obtain the power OF doing So. This the Federal
Government does not yet possess and the mere
threat OF confSc gives the South the strongest
pos lille motive TO resist TO the last extremity But
considering that Mr. Lincoln can say no more OF the
Federal military achievements OF the past year than
that the NCfhern armies have lost position they
held the beginning OF that period the assumption
OF the power to intict punishment Oh enemies who
still DEFY the North is rather ridiculous. The conf
Dent tone OF the message is far from being justified
by the fortune OF the Federal arms.
LII the military ntelliI is unfavorable, the
official report OF the state OF the Federal finances is
could affect people deaf TO the teaching OF facts.
Altogether, the situation, even as depicted in the
message aud the accompanying reports, financial and
military renders il the most uncomfortable Presi-
dent'y Address read to the American House of
Representatives"
The London Times, of Tuesday, Dec 10Th, says
The only point of interest in President Lincoln's
very bald message is its disappointment OF the ex
pectations which prevailed for some time betorets
delivery. la short, the message is chiefly REMARKED
bic as declaring that Mr.. Lincoln, in his second Pre-
sidency will be precisely what lac has been for the
last Tour years. All we know is that he will abide
by the platform" forth by his friends previous
TO hS re election. lie was chosen 10 continue the
war and il will not long as he has the abili
" 10 carry 1t on.
So well has British neutrality been maintained
that there is only point which concerns this EN-
pre in his message directly The resolutionsof the
Federal Government 10 place an additional force on
the great lakes is not to be complained Of So long
as the war lasts it viii be the object of the COnfed-
crates to make the British Provinces the basis of
some kind OF operations against their enemy.
As regards the Canadian authorities, We hope and
believe they will not fail TO take measures to prevent
their territory being made the basis of ncursiOns in
to friendly State, and il is satisfactory TO that
Mr.. Lincoln acquits them Of being unjust and I'M
friendly towards the Republic. If by placing gun
boats Lakes Ontario and Erie he can impede pese
enterprises, he will only be engaged in an object in
which the British authorities will be bound TO assist
him. But sincerely hope that this increase of
force is not meant 10 be permanent, for measure
has been more successful than the common disarna
ment OF the twO>PowerS on these inland waters.
AS il Improbable that in a short time the military
and naval defences Of this great frontier will pass into
the hands of the colonists themselves should
with regret the probability of new burdens being
imposed on an infant State which de.es only to pur-
sue its peaceful way. Nor can conceive what
cessty there is that the occasional forays Of few
Adventures should be brought into connection with
the question of Continuing modifying the rights
of transit from Canada through the United States, as
well as the regulation of Imports which was tempo
rarily tabshed by the Reciprocity Treaty Of 1854.
| n As an experienced poliHtian aud man of conf
mon sense Mr.. Lincoln cannot believe anything so
absurd as that President Davis Keeps an unwilling
people in rebellion to, the Federal authority. He
feels that there is hope of reasserting the Union
authority except by war prolonged to exhaust
| the South in men we'll as material and money
And as he must prepare himself for such war, he
deals only in general declaration Of his nchang ed
views and keeps much as possible to himself he
present state and future resources of the Northern
K.