Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-12-13
The Message Of the President of the
= SUnitsd States.F

- United States.f |
swo hnvo resolved tie Presidents Message in !
full, but an uhnsun press upon out, columns pro-
vents US fr0m copying it into this issuc'd our
paper. Next week, it shall bo placed ut full
length before our readers. 0uc, who knows but
little Of political and national slyairs in the United
States Of America, and who thinks but little on
this subject. might read tho above mentioned
pubic document aud think ihatull vas right and
fair and just between Lho North and South but
We at lsast, who, live In tho South caD:tell-
another tale. a. af - - -.
Mr.. JOHNSON commences his message with q
long and laborcd colument upon tic Constitution
Of the United States. He contends that'the Gov
erumcnt Of the United States ism consolidated
onc.-;hatit is government Of'a majority-and
denies The sovereignty Of tho States. 1t not
be expected that weishoud subscribe to such
doctrines-we W ho haze been raised in the school,
of State Rights. But boots US littlc, at this
day, to enter Alto discussion of this topic. THE
chances Of war have for the present, decided this
question against US. 1t may bo our destiny that
we arc to live under consolidated dsspotism;
and VIC car. only hopo md pray that posterity
may see better day. But while we pretend to,
conduct an Independent Journal, We will never
abandon our principles, or acknowledge that the
chances of war have altered the meaning Of tho
Constitution. The battle field is net,usually tho
most dispassionate court Of justice, or are tho
decisions Of tho sword characterized by justice
and truth. But this is not the day for the dis
cusson of these grave topics, so we dismiss thcm.
Mr.. Johnson admits however, that tho Estates
arc essential to Tho existence of tho Constitution
Of the United States, and that "the whole can
not exist without tho parts, or the parts without
the whole" Some gleam Of hope might be found
in this admission if itwas the admission Of the
Government of tho United statos-the government
under which we live. But what is it really worth
It is the Published sentiment of Mr.: ANDREW
Jonxsoyin message to the Congress Of the
United States. But what then?. What is the
opinion Of Mr. JOHNSON worth on this or any
other question Of the day? Will the Congress Of
the United States pay any regard to his opinion
How docs this opinion comport with the fact that,
while Mr.J. is Declaring that the "StateS are
essential to the existence of the Constitution OF
the United States," he is, in the same breath,
ssnding message over the wires fOrbidding the
members of Congress from the State of South
Carolina to appear in Washington And these
IL mcmbors, mark elected at his own suggestion,
nd upon his own terms; and after the State of
South Carolina has ignored her dignity as State,
and submitted to the most humiliating .dictation
from Washington, by recognizing the Abolition
Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln--which has
scaled her ruin. After MI this degradation and
ruin, we are not now to be admitted into the
Union, but are to be kept we suppose, under a
military rule, us subjusated provinces.
Whether Mr.: JOHNSON is acting towards us in
good fifth, or is only playing a part in the'great
drama Of the day, sto us question We nre net
curious to decide. 1t may be, and We are disposed
to believe thus, that Mr. j oHNsoS really designs
the restoration of the late Confederate States to
the old Union. But what power has Mr.. JOHNSON
at this day in the counsols at Washington? With
IN abolition majority in Congress of more than
ono hundred, wo think tho President of the United
States occupies just now very much tho position
of man of straw. Suppose that the President
of the United States in good faith desires to ad-
NIT the Confederate States again into the Union,
whore Is hts powcr, with this abolition majority
in Congress against him2 Congress may stipu-
latc such terms for our return ns We cannot con-
sent to. Should tho President veto the bill, they
arc able to pass it by two-thirds majority over
| b;s bsod md thore IL vould end
Brt VIC are sick of the entire subject; sick of
thinking, sick of reading, sick f-writing, about
it. We, in Truth, expect neither justice or mercy
from our conqacrors; and We see no motive,
even wero we dishonest enough, to dcludo our
renders on this subject
| Wa ,r;ll amin rnfer To this Massana