The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

tce it, and we feel that it is scarcely necessary tc
do so now by this time most persons have doubt
less seen the document itself, or have read copi.
ons extracts thercfom. The Message in our
opinion, is we'll written, frank and clear. True
the doctrines and views it puts forth are not en-.
tirely new. They seem to us 10 be abou, the sanlc
which Mr.. Johnson has frequently of late, given
10 the various committees who have from time tr
time waited upon him. 1t is very clear from the
Message, that its distinguished authoris anxious
for reconstruction, and that be clearly recog.
nizes State Rights to considerable extent, and
it is generally conceded, that The Message is an
able and conciliatory State paper,
We give below copious extracts from Southern
papers, all Of which speak well of the message,
These people are deeply interested in the views
ofthe President Just now, and it appears to us,
that their construction of the Message would be
much more interesting TO our readers than any
synopsis. of it which we could make al this late
date. 1t will be seen from the extracts referred 10.
that some of the Southern papers speak in very
high terms of the policy Of Mr.. johnson, his
ability as statesman. and his firunvss and hon
esty as man:
From the Richmond Times
The message is the production of n statesman
who discarded all passions and prejudccs from
his breast, and dismissed all considerations of
party from his councils. There is calm. clear
dspassionate resolution in his views and An NJ
ter ignoring OF the temporary issues engendered
by ianaticism and kept alive by the passions in
famed by civil war, which showed thut he feels
that lie Is right, and that time will yndlrate his
wisdom and patriotism.
/. Important DIS are the official opinions of Presi-
dent Johnson as to the rights Of the States aud
the powers of the Federal Government thew are
destitute OF the charm of novelty, because he
long since announced them in his interview with
the South Carolina committee which solicited
the appointment of Governor Perry. The doc
trines of secession and consolidation are alike
repudiated by him in his clear and simpl, state
ment OF his conception Of the nature of our Gov
eminent.
What is set forth in the Presidents ANIMAL
message is also precisely what he has declared to
every Intelligent gentleman who has conversed
with him upon the subject OF his policy Of recon-
strucuon. Ills argument against the monstrohs
policy OF establishing military governments in
the Southern States is perhaps one of the most
z.
will arrest public attention, and carry conyic-
tion to every breast which is not the abode OF
passions and sectiona! prejudices unworthy OF
our race. ..
To the South the firm, decided opinions uf the
President upon this subject will tiiug unsneaka-
BILE joy. As the Comnander-in-Chief Of the
army and navy he can at any moment remove
the military, aud, as the President of the Uni
ted States he can, by The exercise of the veto
power, prevent the consummation of all Radical
schemes for garrisoning the South. He is COM
pletely master Of the position, and although a
Radical Congress may exclude our representa-
tives, they cannot make us the victims of unjust
and oppressive legislation.
The whole tone of the Message conyinces US
that the present Congress can do nothing worse
than deny US tue representation TO which we are
entitled. Their power for mischief begins and
ends with that causeess insult and atfront to the
South--the exclusion Of our delegates
In the frank, manly announcement of the
President that he has taken every necessary slep
to restore the Constitutional relations of the
Southern States, and desires theln to i!resumc
their places in both branches of the National
Legislature, and thereby complete the work Of
restoration as soon rs they have alopted 'the
constitutional amendment abolishing slavery"
be makes fair, bold issue with Copgress
He invites the Southern States TO speedily and
unanimously adopt that amendment and de-
clares that its adoption reunites us beyo all
power of disruption. We have, in doing this
he tells us, certain means of casting all the dis
orders of the past into oblivion, and this will be
the browning evidence of our sincere desire for
future maintenance OF the Union. This measure
will efface the sad memory Of the past, and will
eventually secure the South population, capital
and the warm sympathies Of the people of the
North. Beyond this the President demands
nothing at our hands but that protection for the
eniancipated negro which all of us IRE willing
TO afford him, as an honest and industrious la
borer.
The Message of President johnson will dissi-
pate all apprehensions as to his earnest desire for
amnesty and oblivion Of past offences. "Every
patriot" he says, Unjust wish for a general am
nesty at the earliest epoch consistent with public
safetyp He states that after 1.-the late terrible
conflict" there Unjust be a spirit of mutual con-
Citation" and we must work together in har-
mony."
Profoundly interested as the people Of the
South are in that portion of the Presidents Mes
sage which we have considered, we shall! not pre-
tend to discuss any other portion Of at this time.
We rise from the perusnl Of this Message almost
overcome with emotions Of thankfnlness to God,
that between our defeated section and the howl
ing passions of Radical Congress there is inter-
posed the granite will of Andrew johnson.
Against that noble, Heaven-inspired, resolute
patriotism which this man exhibits, the storm Of
sectional rage and Jacobin passions beats as idly
as the waves against some lofty cliff, which ma
ture has reared to check the fury of the sea-
The cold, calm and resolute craftsmanship OF the
President of the whole nation will eventually de-
feat.the roaring, raging spirit of faction which
has taken temporary possession of Congress. II
the men who were elected when the passions
which were rfamed to madness by the war
have not discovered that the war is now at an
end, the President has made that discovery.
In the contest which must now be waged by
Radicalsin upon the policy of the President, the
exclusion of our Representatives is the worst that
can befall us. That, however, is serious evil
and monstrous outrage, the consideration of
which we must postpone until Tomorrow.
The President having officially announced the
single condition for our readmsson which he
demands OF the South, it becomes our imperative
duty to strengthen his position by a prompt
acauiescence in his wishes -
From The Richmond Sentinel
The message is not to u.s. II was sent to Con
eress, but our representatives were not there to