The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-03-02
MESSAGE AND SPEECH.

The past ten days have been days OF excite.
mont not only in Congress but throughout the
country, and whatever may DO the merits OF
Mr.. Johnson's acts, this fact is patent and in
d'spu,able-cvcry ccpperhcad, aud rebel gym.
p,thizcr in the North, and every traitor who
his fought rebel battles and harbors hatred in
his heart to the government, in the South,
have been rap,urously elated; and all loyal
men who in any capacity have served their
country in the terrible rebellion have been
grieyCd, made indignant. and disguised. First
cams the veto OF the Freedmen's Bill, passed
by two thirds vote in both houses, a majority
Certainly large enough to be respected, and
composed Of men equal to the President in the
! nrth and manner Of their services to the coun-
try. and equally trusted by the people. We
llkesomc points in the Message and wouldindno
fault had it been returned in respectful man.
nor with the objections so stated that they
might be met and the bill again passed. But
unfortunately the hostility Of Mr.. johnson to
Guy bill for the protection of that people whose
"Moscs" he claims to be, is too apparent.
Had differences Of opinions on absolutely vi
tai questions here ended, and the President
preserved himself even no better than hereto
fore, the loyal people might have still overlook
ed the Caur pas Of Mr.. johnson, but the affair
did no, end here. On the 22nd, n rabble throns
composed Of the enemies OF the Republic and
the party which has saved tho country, hur-
raining for Jer Davis, and then cheering FOR
candy johnson" met and passed set Of pro-
slavery resolutions which. il the President did
not explicitly endorse, he did not, as he ought
IN have done dcnouncc, and were addressed by
him in an offensive and vulgar speech which il
enough to causc the cars Of every American,
whatever may be his political opinions, to
tinglo with shame.
We hopc still to be able to support the nd
ministration Of Mr.. johnson, il il can possibly
and consistently be done; hut in common with
our Republican contemporaries we arc weary
and tired Of protesting faith that never was
undoubtinsly felt; weary Of trying to help
calm the uneasiness Of the people who arc Won
derins whittier and why; tired Of trying to re-
concilc opposite tendencies, and OF this uncer
tainty and doubt. Our Representatives. in
Congress were elected for great emergency,
and upon tho great questions OF the hour the
people. whose servants they are, gave them I'm.
plicit instructions they are fresh from contact
with those whom they serve, and in no single
point have they betrayed their trust. The
President is deceived in regard to the temper Of
that people his plan OF reconstruction is not
their plan and wllnot be endorsed. IL he pre-
fcrs the support of traitors whose hands are
reekng with tho blood OF butchered loyalists,
Of coppcrheads who sympathisCd with the
"southcrn cross" and the barc mention OF
whose name is offensive to the people, to that
Of the true and tried men who elected him un.
der the supposition that he, too. was true and
tried; those men who in the darkest hour new.
CT disp,ired Of the Republic and never ceased
their efforts for her. and whose heroic hbors
were, rs we once thought, crowned with sue
cess, we presume that support can be had, but
both can not be secured.