The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-26
The Next Message Of the President I
Congress.

The Next Message of the President to
Congress.
II is reported that the President has COM
menced preparing the materials for his mes
sage to Congress, on the assembling of that
body in December. Similar State papers from
him heretofore have been marked for their
ability, and we have reason to expect this one
will be ALSO The state of the country, the
important questions at issue and to be submit
ted, and the peculiar position he and Congress
occupy towards each other, win necessarily
cause much serious thought over and careful
preparation Of this document.
The message, like all that have preceded it
from himself and Former Presidents, will en-
brace, Of course, general view Of the situation
Of tho country, from the gravest national and
International questionable matters relating to
the Indians and the District Of Columbia. But
there are few subjects Of absorbing interest,
which we believe will be placed prominently
in the foreground. These will be, probably,
the subject OF restoration Of the Southern
States, that OF our foreign relations and that Of
the national finances.
II is very important one, need not occupy
much space In the message for the President
has exhausted il 50 far as his duties and func-
tons 20. lie has reconstructed the late rebel
lious States as far as Executive power could
go, and has--with the best motives, undoubt-
edly-cpdeavorcd to finish the work Of recon-
struction By urging upon Congress the imme-
- n
those States. That is all he could do; the
completion of the work, as he admits, rests with
Congress; for that body has the sole power
Of admitting or rejecting representatives
and Senators. Whether Congress has
acted wisely or strictly in accordance
with the spirit Of the constitution and theory Of
our government, is question upon which peo-
pie differ and which II Is unnecessary to discuss
here. Ii had the power in Its hands and chose
to exercise il in excluding the Southern States
until certain conditions should be complied
with. These conditions are embraced In the
constitutional amendment. The conflict be-
tween the President and Congress on the policy
Of immediate restoration or restoration only
under these conditions, has unfortunately
ended In bitter political issue and much bad
feeling, and, as consequence, has tended to
retard the work Of restoring the South. This
issue was brought into the late elections, and
the people Of the North have sustained the
policy Of Congress. We cannot 60 behind this
verdict The President himself should grace
fully yield to the voice fthe people. II is the
part Of craftsmanship 10 do 30. The greatest
statesmen in all countries In the present age
try TO direct the current rather than 70 stem II
How much more should this be the case under
our popular and republican form Of govern
ment The President therefore, need say but
little on the subject OF restoration; but he
should leave u where II now rests, with Con-
gross. Any further conflict weuld be useless
and might do much harm.
On the subject Of ouR foreign relations the
resident has wider and ~ ample field. He
can take position on this subject which will
secure him the support Of both Congress ana
the people. He could not only restore his
popularity, but might become more popular
than ever be was Up 70 The present period Of
our history We have sesr oely had what might
Be properly termed foreign policy. We have
"a .gsa laa Z cannySAspdve American