The Van Buren press., 1866-12-07
From Washington.
w ASUINGTON, Nov


The President has completed his an
nual message and it is in the. printer s
hands. No executive document probably
was ever sent to Congress commanding
so much interest as this message, and to
allay this anxiety, newspaper corespon-
dents have indulged in many speculations
as to measures to be recommended by
MIR. Johnson; but save to Cabinet mem
bars tho p-'~~~'sses- -Ih ,nv message, never
theless enough has been made known
through persons who have had recent
confidential conversations with Mr.. John
son to enable us to anticipate the charac-
ter of the official document, and to state,
with almost absolute certainty, few
measures that will be recommended to
Congress. First, its tone is conciliatory,
or, more properly, it may be said to be
fair, yet firm, and free from the defiant
temper which some have supposed Mr.
johnson could indulge in Again, those
who are under impression that the Presi-
dent is determined to carry out what is
termed my policy" will be deceived if
they expect in his message propositions
looking to the further prosecution of that
policy; for Mr.. Johnson does not admit
that any part of his policy ofre.torng the
Southern States remains to be done. so far
as the Executive has power to act. He
claims that all that remains unfinished Of
his plan lis the admission of legally elect.
eel loyal Representatives, and that work
belongs solely to Congress. r,sa.s fr
Since Mr. Johnson has occupied the
Presidential chair he has not deemed any
further amendments to the Constitution
necessary, but in the forthcoming mes.
sage, in view Of the exigencies of the day,
MIR. Johnson will recommend several
matters IS subjects to be enforced ia pro-
posed amendments to that Instrument
Among them may be mentioned the
adjustment of electoral colleges and the
election of President and Vice President
directly by voters at large without regard
to State boundaries. ''.r,I
Another amendment suggested, in the
election of United States Senators by the
voters at large in the several States, in
stead Of electing them by State Lcgisla,
lures. And still another amendment
named is the appointment of Judges OIL
the United States Supreme Court for the
term Of twelve years each, onethird ofI
the entire number to be appointed every
four years. These amendments were suo-
gested some years ago in the United
States Senate by Mr.. johnson while he
was member.
The amendment proposing election of
President &y voters at large, in the opin-
ion Of Mr.. Johnson, will cilectually rcpu. |
late the question of suffrage within the
States, by making it of imperative inter
est that each State include as many yot- |
ers as possible, and thus in proper time
the franchise will be extended to colorcd
people,
Some believe the President will discuss
the universal amnesty question, and pro.
pose some action thereon by Congress.
But those best advised understand that
Mr.. johnson holds that, under the Con.
stltution, the Executive has sole power to
grant amnesty and pardon, and therefore
ne Will not propose any action on that
subject by Congress.
a considerable portion Of the message
Is soeVoted to foreign affairs, and especial. |
" 70 The controversy with the British
government about the Alabama claims.
the so-csllcd Mexican Protectoratc, and
the action OF our Government with ref