Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-12-07
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
In style, spirit and lucid arrangement, tn,
message Of President Johnson compares favor
ably with the state papers Of the earlier PrcNi-
dents, with whose theories, as to the nature o
our Government, he seems 10 be deeply i'm
bued. After a careful pcrusal Of this impor-
tant document, whose length does not, as is too
often the case with American state papers, con-
>titute an objection 10 il, we DO not well per-
ceiye how he could have said less, or wherein
he need have said more. Upon the salient,
practical points OF this message, as relates To-
the restoration policy of the President, in
which Southern interest chiefly centres, We
propose making such remarks as the pressure
upon our columS admits Of.
The Presidents theory as to the elective
Franchise being exclusively a subject for State
regulation is most ably presented and argued,
and he finds his authority tor it in the Consti-
tuition OF the United States, the interpreta-
tions OF that instrument by its authors aud
their contemporaries, and recent legislation by
Congress. With great force and appropriate
ness he refers TO the fact that, at the first move
meut towards independence, when the Congress
OF the United States instructed the several
States to institute governments Of their own,
they lcft each State to decide for itself the con-
ditions for the enjoyment of the elective fran
chiSe. In connection herewith he recites that
clause of the Constitution which declares that
~ .1,.m Low H..
qualifications requisite for electors Of the most
numerous branch Of the State Legislature. -
His conclusion is that it is not competent for
the General Government TO extend the elective
franchise in the several States. Moreover, ~
saws the President, ga concession Of the cleo
tive franchise 10 the freedmen by the act of the
President Of the United States must have been
extended TO all colored men wherever found,
and so must have established a change Of sur
frase IN the Northern, Middle and Western
States, not less than in the Southern and
South Western"
The imprcguable barriers Of this logic will
present formidable difficulties 10 radical as
sault. They eau only plant negro suffrage in
the Southern States 10y disregardiug the Con-
stitutiou and usurping power which it does
not confer.
The Presidents remarks upon the reciprocal
duties and obligations Of the whites and blacks
of the South, are full Of practical wisdom, and
such as all sound and rational minds must ap-
prove. OF empIoyers and employees he says ;
IF the one ought to be able 10 enforce the
contract, so ought the other. The public inter-
est will be best promoted if the several States
will provide adequate protection and remedies
tor the freedmen
One sentence in this Message gives striking
view OF the Presidents conception Of what re-
storation should be. He says '' Is it not a
sure promise Of harmony aud renewed attach
ment to the Union that, after all that has hap
pened. The return Of the Genera! Government IS
kao,cu only as a JeaeFcsncs }'' 1t places him
in beautiful contrast to those ultra politicians
who can only conceive of restoration based
upon condScatiouS, disabilities, distranchise-
ments and cruel and unusual puniShments.
We come now to most interesting passage
ofthis Mes>agc-that relating to the adoption
nv the Southern States of the constitutional
amendment forever prohibiting slavery or ln-
voluntary seryitude. The President says
9. The adoption OF the amendment re-unites US
beyond all power OF disruption. 1t heals the
wound that is still imperiectly closed; it re-
moves slavery, the element which has so long
perplexed and divided the country; it make,
of Us once more u united people, renewed and
strengthened, bound more than ever to mutual
affection and support The most important
massage on this subject is the following " The
amendment to the Constitution being adopted
II would remain for the States whose powers
have been 50 long in abcyance, To RESUME
THEIR PLACES n THE TWO BRANCHES OF Tai
NATIONAL LEGISLATURES, AND THEREBY CON
pLErE THE WORN OF RESTORATION" This pas
sage seems TO imply that the Presidents view
rs 10 the completeness of restoration, and IN,
pnoualided rights OF representation in Congress
of the Southern States, will be fully met b.
their adoption of this amendment. The follow
inc sentence is regarded by some with apprs
bension Here Il is for you, felor-citi's"s o
the Senate. and for you, .fsHo,c-citiselS Of tn
House of Representatives., 70 judge, each Of yoI
for yourselves, Of The elections, returns dNdqaaL
;feafionS Of your o.ra members
We cannot and do not suppose that the PreSi
don't means, by this language, to commit him
self 10 an unresisting acquiescence in any &C
tion that Congress may take in the matter q
sxcludinc Southern members. The jurisdic
,ion of each House over the elections, return
and qualifications" of its members is exclusive
The President would not interfere with 1t, Ou
:, i very clear to our mind that he will nc
,.ield tame acouiescence in Congressional &C
ZION that shall 90 farther and refuse Souther
rs,resentation upon the ground that the Pres
dent has transcribed his powers in promiSln
restoration to the Southern States upon CON
rl;ance with the conditions prescribed by him
The language Of the Message inregard to gu
ro,,tions with England and France is eminentl
discreet, cautious and diplomatic. Its mos
,ioDidcant references to our relations wit
zealand are to be found in these two senten
oos.-uOur domestic contest, now happl.
oDdsd. has left some traces in our relations wit
one At least of the great maritime powers
"For the future, friendship between
.ho two countries must rest on the basis of mu
tual justice"
The Presidents reference to France is dis
.;D,uisbed by an almost OminOus brevity. Al
80 h. saws is: 90 The correspondence between
the United States and France, in reference t
questions which have become subjects OF dis
9us''iu'