The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-12
The Mes.age-state OF tn. Country.

We have carefully read the message of
President Johnson, 90 we Prcsanie have
most Of our readers. They are all in o
position to pass judgment on its merits as
State paper at this important juncture of
public affairs throughout the country. For
ourselves, we regard it as the production
of statesman.-of patriotic chiet magis-
tional passions and prejudices, and to
restore peace and harmony, strength and
unity among the whole people of the coun-
try. How different is it in tone and
temper, from the doings of the few first
days. in the body to whom this calm and
well-considered paper was addressed! The
action of the dominant party il Congress
appears to be based upon the mistaken
notion, to call it by & very gentle name,
that the Southern States have not been
sufficiently punished, and that their pro-
fcsscd return to their fcalty to :, Govern
meni is not sincere; while the :. ..guage of
the President is that OF a calm and dis
passionate statesman, whose resolutc pa
triotis IL rises far above the fanaticism
which would foster and COZ. .nue sectional
strife and prejudiccs. His message, in his
adherence to his avowed policy of re-
construction, makes a square and bold
issue with the party, of which Stevens and
Sumner are the high priests.
The President has very clearly and salts
factorily set forth the principles that have
guided his course thus far, in the great
work Of again bringing peace, harmony
and good feeling among the people of all
sections Of the country His views as to
lations between them and the Government,
are somewhat different from those hereto
fore entertained by US; nevertheless, the
late struggle has proved his to be those Of
the people Of tho United States, and has
fixed it as the principle and policy Of the
Government, that no State has Of itself
the right to leave the Federal Union. So
must it remain hereafter.
His emphatic condemnation Of military
rule, or Of establishing military Govern
ments, and the cogent arguments he brings
forward to sustain his views on that point,
will not only give confidence to tho people
of the South as to his future conduct to-
wards them, but in his position as chief
magistrate Of the Union, and commander
in-chief Of its forces, is an earnest and
guarantee OF protection to them against
the Vaccinations Of those who would seek
to keep in their present condition, or to
deprive them OF their political rights.
l. ~
now in that body, may keep its doors shut
against their representatives for some
time, but with Z President determined to
do right, exercising the proper and conscr-
vative power OF the reto, they will be pow
crless for any further injury to us. The
frank exposition of the Presidents views
as to the speedy restoration of the States
lately in revolt, must have a beneficial in
tluencc and effect upon even the turbulent
passions Of radicalism.
After all opposition to the Government
had been crushed, the President went to
work to reconstruct. He tells Congress
that he ''.ias sought to restore the right
ful energy Of the Ge.cral Government and
of the States. To that end, provisional
Governors have been appointed for tho
States, conventions called, Governors
elected, Legislatures assembled, and Scna-
tors and Representatives, chosen to the
Congress Of the United States. At the
same time the courts of the United States,
as far as could be done, have been re-
opened, so that the laws of the United
States may be enforced through their
agency. The blockade has been removed
and the custom houses rc-cstabiisl1cd in
ports of entry, so that the revenue of the
United States may be collected The post
Office department rcnews its ceasclcss
activity, and the General Government is
thereby enabled to communicate promptly