Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-12-12
The Presidents Message.

1t is not so much what the President says
as what~he declines to say. The first i'm
preston of the message is that his Excellen-
cy is chastened. He makes no illusions to
Congress hanging on the verge of the Gov
ernment. This is something from an Exec
utive who has been In the most unreasona-
bic humor for so many months. Mr. Pierce
could not have written weaker message.
Congress would as readily have heard an es
say upon the cause of thunder as this tame
and harmless disquisition. There is much
that the President regrets. There are some
good words from Washington and jefferson,
likewise jackson. We marvel that his Ex-
cellency neglected the other fathers Of their
country. For any living fact, for any sug-
gestion, for any helpful thought, We might
as we'll turn to the last novel of Trollope as
to the Presidents message. Ephraim
seems irrevocably Joined to his idols.
There is much that Mr.. johnson might
have done He has missed many golden
opportunities-bu none so glorious as this.
Congress came from the people lemagnanimous
and kind There was no disposition to re-
member anything that had been done-not
even the shameless antagonism to the peo-
pie in the recent elections. All good men
trusted that one word might be said which
would show a disposition on the part of the
President to reach solution of the many
difficulties surrounding the country. All
that his Excellency has done was no longer
remembered when we saw the peace he
might bring to harraSsed nation, loving
kindness and rest We believe that there
was no feeling of resentment to the Presl-
dent, not even in the hearts of the most
Radical members of Congress, that would
not have given way before the slightest ten
dency of the President to harm onize the
country. In his Message he shows no such
tendency. He clings to his dogmas with as
much tenacity as when he hoped to carry
the country in the late elections. There is
not one word fer the negro-nOt one word
tor the loyal in the SoutL-not one SEN
tence which might not as we'll have been
written hundred years ago as to-day, for
all the truth and cemfort it brings.
In mere business way the Message is of
little Importance 1t refers briefly to the
Treasury Report, advocating thorough re-
retrenchment, and the other Reports of the
Departments, but makes no suggestion of
importance Mr. johnson thinks the Pa
cific railroad will be finished before the time
set by Congress as limit; advises such leg
islation as ay be necessary to preserve the
Mississippi Levees urges the importance
of admitting to Congress delegate from
the District of Columbia, and touches up
on the aid that body should give to the eff
fort of the Southern States to reorganize
their agriculture He congratulates the
country on peace with foreign nations and
the success of the Atlantic telegraph, and
thinks there is reason to expect greater re
suits from the projected Pacific line by way
of Behring's Straits. The Mexican ques-
ton is briefly alluded to, Gen. Sherman 8
mission being said to be the obtaining of in
formation necessary to maintain proper in
tercourse with the republic of Mexico 1T
ST emed an obvious duty on our part, he
adds, ito exercise whatever influence we
possessed for the restoration and perma-
nent establishment in that country of re-
publican form of government A clearer
account of the object of sending Gen. Sher-
man with Minister Campbell would have
been desirable Complaint is made that
France has broken its compact with our
Government, by declining to remove any of
its troops in Mexico till next Spring. The
United States have protested against this
determination, and the President trusts
that the Emperor will reccde from his pres
ent ground. He regrets that the Alabama
claims have not been settled by Great Brit
ain, but thinks there is reason to expect our
demands will be met in friendly spirit.
he cOnuetIf1iS C1le FeDldH INVASION Ol OdIld-
da thinks mercy should be extended to
the prisoners; thinks Congress ought to do
something for the rights of American -citi-
zens abroad, and without referring to their
wrongs at home, as illustrated by the New
Orleans massacre and such trihes, closes
with the customary prayer.
We have no heart to dwell upon this
dreary, llfeless document. There is moth
ing that any loyal man can read with COM
fort or hope. Andrew johnson is as much
an enemy as when he menaced the nation
from his White House steps ten months ago.
He does not mean to help US in the work of
reconstruction. The duty devolving upon
Congress becomes more solemn and respon-
sible, and we look to Congress with infinite
yearning. Let there be kindness and pa
tience, charity toward all, malice toward
none, irmness and devotion; but above all,
a single hearted determination, come we'll
or i'll, despite Presidents or Cabinets, to Ia
Dor without ceasing, until over this land
there shall be peace and rest, liberty and
protection. and all rights for all. ~ T.
Tribune.
Secretary McCulloch's statement of the
public debt on Dec. 1st shows that, deduc-
ting Sl35, 1854 ,637 in the Treasury, the total