The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-04

The whole case Is involved in this caucus reso-
luton.
The Psesidcns's Message and Policy.
To-day o. tomorrow we shall probably have
the usual cficial declaration OF the domestic
and foreign policy Of the government in the
Presidents message TO Congress. No similar
document since the foundation of the govern
or ever treated of questions more important
The people everywhere, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, and from Maine to the Gulf of
Mexico, will watch with deep interest the
throbbing Of the telegraph as 1t conveys the
words Of the chief Of the nation.
The subject of paramount Importance, and
the one on WHICH the President undoubtedly
will speak more fully than on any other, Is that
of the restoration of the Southern States. judy
ing from his action in this matter up to the
present time, and from his different proclama-
tions, letters Of instructions and conversations
on the subject, we cannot be at q loss to per-
ceve what the tenor of his language and recon-
doubt recommend the earliest restoration Of
these States to their normal condition in the
Union. He is opposed to the inAiction Of I'M
necessary or retributive penalties, and does
not wish TO- exact anything more than is neces-
sary to give Ms security for the future.. Like
skilful physician, he would heal the wounds
that have been made, by timely applications
and restoratives, before they gangrene and the
patient becomes exhausted. Believing the
Southern people valuable to the body polite
now that they are cured of their heresies, and
that they and their rich section of the country
cannot be kept down by severe or vim
dictive measures without bringing incalcu-
liable evils upon the whole country, ne
wants to see them restored In other words,
he wants to see the rebellion closed up as
soon as possible; and this cannot be so long as
the States remain unrepresented In Congress
and disabilities are imposed upon the people.
The President believes it to be the part of true
craftsmanship, as we'll as OF humanity and phi
losophy, to preserve the manhood of these
people, and not to- humiliate or depress them
unnecessarily. 1t is only in that way we can
obtain permanent peace at home and proper
respect abroad. That is the course to bring
harmony between the different sections, to save
us from financial difficulties, to develop the
resources Of the country, to pay the national
debt and to make us the most united and
greatest people i'm the world. A different
course will lead to anarchy, financial troubles
and the desolatione Of the fairest country on the
face OF the globe. Such, we believe, are sub
scll ~ OF IoMt md
such we think we may expect to see expressed
In his message.
The whole domestic policy Of the President
is based.On broad, conservative and statesman
like views and 1t is to be hoped that Congress
will act in harmony with him. The first pro-
ceedings of the radical republican members at
Washington and the somersaults Of portion
Of the republican press do not augur very
favorably for such harmony; but when we con-
slider that these radicals were first on the
ground, and are in the habit Of making great
noise for the sake Of effect, we do not think
there is any great reason for alarm. We hope
and think the conservative portion Of Congress
will be strongest, and will sustain the Presi-
dent. Should we be disappointed in this, how
ever, we do not doubt Mr.. johnson will remain
firm to his principles and policy, and that In
the end the people will come to the rescue and
overwhelm his opponents.
With regard to our foreign relations, and
suppose the President will speak very plainly,
and enunciate such broad American policy as
becomes the power and dignity of the country.
If he should not deem 1t expedient to enter
specifically into details Of the acts Of foreign
governments on and relative to this continent,
we doubt not he will be very clear, leaving
nothing to be misunderstood, as to the prin-
ciples involved and the views Of the govern
ment.
The question Of our national finances will be
treated, WE imagine, with the caution such
delicate subject requires. The desire and pur-
pose to return to specie payments will be
qualified, we hope, by recommendations to
take such steps as may not cause monetary
crisis or seriously derange commerce and the
revenue.
If the above should be the programme Of the
administration, as we suppose 1t will, and Con-
gross should aid in carrying it out, as that body
ought, our troubles will have culmina ted, and
we shall enter at once upon q fresh career Of
unexamplcd prosperity and glory. A few
hours will tell us the views Of the President,
and in few days we shall know what the
course of Congress will be with regard to them.
The time is pregnant with mighty issues, and
the people wait anxiously the result.
The FRENCH IN MExIco-AFm IN THE REAR
The news that the French have rctreated
from Chihuahua and Sinaloa, abandoning the
whole of both those States to the republicans,
and that the imperial troops at Matamoros are
so pressed that 1t has been found necessary to
reinforce them, certainly does not look as II the
mn III