Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-12-07
The Message.

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of the sensation despatch-mOngoTs at Wash
ineton. There is in it no adoption of uni
yersal amnesty and impartial suffrage no
proposal to- have the President elected by
direct vote Of the people; no recommeuda-
ton that Senator, be elected BY popular vote;
no suggestion Of change in tie Supreme
Court 10 defance Of France or England
and II is not very long. But one prognosnc-
alton chat We have noticed about It, was
correct. VIZ. that while it would still urge
the policy Of immediate admission Of the
Southern States to Congress. II would not be
hellieerent in its tone towards Congress.
That is so. Mr.. johnson does not. except
by implication impugn the motives or course
Of Corgross. His expressed feeling in refer
euce To the failure Of Congress to adopt his
policy is one Of profound regret, not
of indignation or contempt. HIS own position
on the subject is unchanged. lie reiterates
and rcargues the point that the Southern
States are still States OF the Union
and should by the constitution be re-
presented in the National Legislature. lie
roasserts tie duty Of at once admitting
Senator's and Representatives from the ex-
cludod Stctcs,on satisfactory evidence of their
individual loyalty, and goes into some in
struction as to details in the process, as Of
referring credentials to the appropriate COM
mittec. which some Of tie old stagors in
Congress will consider somewhat superauous.
But he intimatos no threat if Congress shall
sull decline to follow his earnest advice. In
fact he admits exIressiyas well as indirectly
~ thus urging the matter on tie attention
Of Congress, that he has gone to the scope
Of his constitutional authority in the busI-
ness, and that Congress must do what re
mains to be done Of the work Of restoration,
be it soon or late.
Mr. johnson declares fatty that "the
animosities engendcred by the War are rap
IDLY yielding to the benefcent influences Of
our free institutions - and that with the
admission Of Southern representatives soon
:. al traces Of our domestic differences will
he efiaced from the minds Of our country
men Congress viii not he likely TO ac-
cept his statement on those points without
question But We have no space to take up
in detail the various points Of the Message.
Its statements on our internal affairs; on
Mexico and our claims on Great Britain
on the Foniaus. &c. will be read with inter
est
IL closes with the tender of q slight olive
branch to Congress in the ezbortaiion " let
Us ondeavor to preserve harmony between
the coordinate departments Of the Govern
ment, which Is worth noting as coming
from the man who was go lately announcing
Congress as a revolutionary body hanging
on the verge Of the Government, and which
we trust VIII be rocprocatcd ty Congress.
as far as the interests of the Country will
permit On the whole It strikes Us as a very
good Message, for Andy johnson.
It Is 50, because It Is moderate in Its
language, not particularly esotistical, and
on other than political subjects reasonably
sacclnct and satisfactory. But considering
the circumstances under which it is issued,
it Is not a cheerful document There is IN
it not the slightest recognition Of the fact
that the great jury Of the loyal masses, to
wlom Mr. johnson and Mr.. Seward referred
their policy Of reconstruction, have decided
against it. The Northern people have said
in the recent elections that they must and
viii have more and better guarantees from
the South than can be secured under
the President plan. Mr.. johnson chooses
not &c recognize this great fact. lie does
not allude 70 the elections; he has nothing
to say Of the Constitutional Amendment:
he is exactly where be was year ago, and
the political portion Of his Message might
have been written a year ago. as well as now,
50 far as any indication of light Of progress
on The question in his mind is concerned
Mr.. johnson is evidently one Of the political
BJurbons, who learn nothing and forget
nothing.
We are sorry nevertheless, to see the indi-
cations that so large a portion of Congress
is ready to follow the lead of those with
whom personal luminosity against Mr.. John
SOB Is the controlling passion. As an midi
yidual, Mr.. johnson is not worth fighting |
As the President Of the United States lie is
entitled to decent respect, and it Is the duty
of Congress to cooperate with him and
secure his cooperation with Congress, as
parts Of the government, as far as practical
Die, for the best good Of all. We hope our
legislators viii give as little time as possible
to fighting The PresideHt: take up the great
questions before them with calmness and
cindor; and DO what needs to be done,
Nth the President if he will helpI; orer
him, If be undertakes to stand in the way.
Inc SECRETARY OF TIE TREASURY. in his