Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-12-08
The Message.

fere with its resumption of the legislative
powers of the Government. From the verge
it has swung into the centre. and now occu
pies the commanding position in the control
of our NatioEa. affairs. johnson has recon.
sidered his pet idea of treating it as an illega.
body of men unlawfully assuming to be the
Congress of the United States. and of dis
persing it with the military and arresting its
members; the storm of indignation at SIM
liar attempt in New Orleans. on the 3oth of
July last, warning him of the dangers of any
such interference with Congress. Convinced
that the public are in no humor for repeti-
ton. in Washington City. of the horrors of
New Orleans, he has mildly concluded to
muzzle his dogs of war. and, for the time be-
ing, to recognize the representatives of the
loyal States as legitimate coordinate branch
of the Government, and he has accordingly
sent his Annual Message to them. The doc
ument is not an usually long one. filling about
three columns of the Sacramento Union, and
and over one-thirG of it consists of re-hash
of his policy of reconstruction. One would
naturally think that after the thorough ven
tilation and discussion which that policy re-
ceived during the last campaign, and the ver-
dict of the people upon it, he would be will
ing. if others would, to let it drop as dead
issue and say nothing more about it. But
such course does not seem to suit his Might
iness, and he appears to think that his "elo-
quence," which failed to convince the people.
can change the convictions IF duty of their
representatives. Johnson has never been no.
table for modesty, and if his stock on hand
of that virtue were to strike in, it would not
be likely to very seriously affect his health
but this last effort of the humble individual
out does all his previous attempts at unblush-
ing impudence, and border on the sublime.
The Message reminds Congress that in De-
cember of 1865. the President had informed
it that he had taken all the steps necessary to
rehabilitate the revolted States; that he had
appointed Provisional Governors. called Con-
ventions, assembled Legislatures had caus-
ed Governors to be elected, and Senators and
Representatives to be chosen to the United
States Congress. and had established the
Courts for the enforcement of the laws. A
number of other things had also been done
under his direction and auspices, so that the
Executive lad found it had accomplished
nearly all that was within the scope of its
constitutional authority. Only one thing
was lacking to crown the BEAUTIFUL piece of
work of reconstruction and reconciliation
which had grown up under the Executive
hand, that was for Congress to have tolerated
this usurpation of its constitutional authori-
ty by this the President; this granted. all
would have been serene. Johnsnn is right,
viewing the question from his side of the
fence. If Congress had so far stulifed itself
as to hnve submitted to his dictation, and
simply r, gstered his DEGREES. the South would
have been reconstructed in the very mannrr
which he and the d, feated rebels WISHED, and
everything would have been lovely for the
Memphis and New Orleans rloters and mur-
derers, and the goose would h4ve hung as
high as they have been in the habit of hang
ing unrepentant Union men. What pity
that matter of fact Congress could not have
taken the Presidents rosy view of the ques-
ton. nor his statements of the beautiful work.
ing, in the South, of his theory that parties
had changed sides, and that the rebels f the
war are the Unionsts of to- day and rice rersa.
How it would have simplifed the whole
question of reconstruction, and what a good
thing it would hove been for Andys
The President still thinks that his policy
is the thing, after all. He can't see. after he
and Congress having thrown themselves up
on the people. and tried their dispute at the
bar of public opinion, and the verdict being
against him, that the face of matters is chang
ed in any respect; and he thinks that what
Andy johnson said year ago is good now.
The fuss of the late elections seems not to
have invaded the sacredness of his quiet re-
treat in the White House, and the thunder
of the voice of the people has not walked him
fom his self-suf6ciency. He still comes
back al Congress with his played-out policy,
and recommends itself with all the JUNCTION
of the quack who has discovered some infal-
lible liver invigorator. The admission into
Congress of Johnson pardoned rebels .would
consummate the work of restoration, and
create most salutary influence in the rees-
tablishmert of peace, harmony. and fraternal
feeling" Just think of that! We should
again see the Southern members fraternally
bullying and staggering in the capitol, and
enforcing reign of terror on the plantations.
What should we not sacrifice tn enjoy such
pleasuress The President is man of humor
and knows how to put joke. saving the
funniest part for the last. Hear him: "Di.
recting our efforts to the accomplishment of
these ends let US endeavor to preserve harmony
between the coordinate departments of the
Government. SO that each in its proper sphere
may cordially cooperate with the other in
securing the maintenance of the Constitution.
the preservation of the Union. and the per-
petuation of free institutions" For the man
who conspired to overthrow Congress. and
yevolutionize the Government, to talk this
way is very droll.
We devote the most of our available space
this week to reports. They may not be as
interesting to some people as different style
OF matter. but We guess they can stand it
We publish them fnr the h.ne6f nf the tax.