Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-11-17
THE PRESIDENT AND THE POLITE
CAL SITUATION.

In a few weeks the President win be
called to confront Congress on the issues of
the day. 1t will be his duty to give that
body information as to the state of the
Union, and recommend such measures as
he may think expedient and proper" In
view of the hostile attitude that these two
departments Of the Government occupy
towards each other, the forthcoming Execu-
tive message is looked forward to with more
than usual interest. It's tone and matter
will be pregnant with important conse-
quences. The Congress considers itself all
powerful and all-suficient in wisdom, to
administer the affairs of the nation without
the advice and assistance of the President,
and has worked itself, we fear, to that pitch
of passion, that will obstinately refuse to re-
ceive with even parliamentary courtesy, any
views or recommendations he may offer. If
the President holds with JEFFERSON and
JACKSON, that he has constitutional duties
to perform equal in Importance to those
committed to Congress, and, that in his
sphere, heis the sole judge of the scope and
character of duties devolved on him and
should be adhere to the general principles
he has promulgated in regard to the pacif-
cation Of the country, and especially the adj
mission of the Southern States before
changes are attempted to be made in the
structure of the Government then an "irre-
pressible conflict is at hand. The Congress
flushed with victory in the recent Northern
elections, instead of receding, will most
likely assume the aggressive; and unless
the President has lost the mettle and the
moral courage which has hitherto been his
distinguishing characteristic, he does not
propose to yield a jot or title.
viii he temporize, equivocate, or aban-
don his positions deliberately assumed, and
announced under sense Of the solemn re-
sponsibilities of his exalted station? If he
should do either of these things, and virtual
ly surrender the control of the Government
to the Radical leaders in Congress, it will be
a sad day for the nation, and suffer the in
Fiction Of a mortal thrust at constitutional
liberty. The conservative men Of the coun-
try appreciate the difficulties of his situation
1t is one to try the highest qualities which
the first officer of the Government should
possess. They perceive that there is a formi-
dable and confident foe in front; that there
are influences at work to weaken his powers
Of resistance 10 the direct assault upon the
Government; that there are defections on
the right hand and on the left; that artfnl
and selfish politicians protesting to support
him, are preaching heresies against the doc
trines he has thus far upheld in his admin
tration; they see him surrounded by thick
thronging obstacles and perplexities which
none Of his predecessors were called to en-
counter. But they expect him to stand firm. 1t
is proper TO say this much as the expression
of opinion of the true conservative masses
those who are conservative not because il is
polite, but because it is right. Without as
sumption, we believe we can speak in these
decided terms for every man in the country
who is opposed to Radicalism, and is I'M
tainted with a propensity 10 trim sails on
questions of principle, or resort to trickery
10 acquire local and temporary political
power.
We do not believe that the President has
ever considered the question of abandoning
his opposition to the fell designs Of the Rad
ical leaders, or thought of compromising a
single principle The country expects his
message to reiterate his recommendation in
behalf of Immediate restoration ofthe Union,
and protest from mis- high place and in the
name of the Constitution and the liberties it
was intended to secure, against the wicked
purposes Of the sectional leaders who are
seeking to overthrow them. Il expects him
to reject the ccunsels of every one whose
bolitical virtue is too weak 10 resist the
longing for Office, or too cowardly to consent
to remain in minority for the sake of prin
ciple. These creatures are in considerable
numbers and are plausible and insidious.
They are already obtrnding their craven and
miserable advice upon him. Let the Presi-
dent spurn them, aud give Congress a dig
nifed and manly message, whose every SEN
tence shall ring with the truth as it is in
the Constitution. If he falls then, it will be
with dignity and decency, and where a true
ambition would wish that history and pos
teritv should find him-at the post Of