The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1865-12-14
THE DEMOCRATIC ADVOCATE.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER IA, 1866.
THE MESSAGE.

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whole of the Presidents Message to.
Congress, believing that its Importance
at this time, when all are in anxious
suspense as to the future of our
country, viii be sufficient excuse for the
space it occupies in our columns. It is
notable as expressing views directly an
tagonistic to the policy laid down by
the leaders in Congress as their rule of
action regarding the Southern States.
The following are some of its important
topics: The President says his prede-
cessor brought the war substantially to
close. He says the harrassing fears
which true patriots have had of an alb
sorption of State Governments by the
General Government should be allayed
by the very greatness Of our country.
That this Government of the United
States is a limited Government, and
States with proper power are essential
to the existence of the Constitution of
the United States. Mr.. johnson op-
poses the policy of military rule, and
says he has always held all acts of
Secession to be null and void. He has
deemed it necessary to assert one other
power of the General G oyernment-the
power of pardoning-always claiming a
clear recognition of the efficiency of all
laws and the fact of the abolition of
slavery. He says that he has asked all
the States to participate in the inesti-
mable right of amending the Constitu-
ton, meaning the abolishing Of slavery !;
and says the adoption of that amend
mcnt will reunite us beyond the possi-
bility of future rupture. The amend
ment to the Constitution being adopted,
he says, it only remains for the States
to take their places in Congress, and
thus complete the work of reconstruc-
ton. He asks Congress to make pro-
vision for the early resumption of ju-
dicial functions by the United States
Courts in the South, so that those
charged with treason may be tried by
the highest civil tribunals of the land.
He reasserts what he has so often
affirmed, that treason is crime, traitors
should be punished, and the offence
made odious. In regard to negro suf-
frage, he reiterates his former often ex-
pressed views most emphatically, that
the subject must be referred to the
several States, denying the competency
of the General Government to regulate
the franchise; he says the negroes
shall be protected in their freedom and
property; that the South will soon
be pcopled by an enterprising race,
whose genius, industry and wealth will
vie with any in the Union.
The President recommends the re-
ports of the Secretary of the Interior
and Postmaster General, and highly
commends the policy of the Secretary
of the Treasury in his efforts to diminish
the volume ofpaper money now in cir
culation, and says it is our duty to pre-
pare to meet the great evils which are
being wrought by an irredeemable cur
rcncy, recommending all to conform as
nearly as possible to the cash system in
transacting business.
In regard to our relations with foreign
Governments, the President claims that
the British ministers have failed to
Justify their course of action toward our
Government; he relies upon the wisdom
and justice of other powers to respect
the doctrine of non-intcrferencc, and
says: We should regard it great
/" calamity should any European Power
" challenge the American people to the
F" defence of Republicanism against
g foreign interference"
The message closes with panegyric
upon the greatness of our country, our
institutions, the blessings vouchsafed
us under the Constitution, and truth
fully asks: " Where, in past history,
(" does parallel exist to the public
" happiness which is within the reach of |
/" the people of the United States ?"
The document, as an entirety, is GER
tainly an able one. When we take into
consideration the state of public feeling
at the time President Johnson assumed
the duties of the Chief Magistracy, and
also the source through which his politi-
cal fortunes bent their way in obtaining
that position, we have in this message
as liberal and conservative sentiment
as We could reasonably expect. It is
not as the Andy johnson Of former
years would have written it, but it is
nevertheless a clear and dignifed ex