The national Republican., 1867-03-04
THE DISSENT OF THE PREsI-
DENT TO THE RECONSTRUC-
TION BILL.

The most emphatic, manly and incontro-
yertible message that ever emanated from
ANDREW JOHNSON, and one Of the profoundest
State papers ever indited by any President,
will be found in our issue of to-day. We
have read it with admiration for the vigor
and force Of its style, and with veneration
for the lofty sentiment and sublime truths
with which it is replete. Az an argument,
il is inyincible; as q criticism, it is severe,
resistless and unanswerable; as plea for the
fundamental law, it has no parallel in its
earnestness or its eloquence. Every citizen
Of the Republic who yet adheres to the old
bulwarks Of civil liberty, and still believes
the Constitution to be obligatory upon the
consciences and actions Of men, will approve
this message from "a to lizard"
In our judgment The President demol-
ishes the fallacies Of the preamble Of the
reconstruction bill, and demonstrates the
yickedness and dangers Of its alarming prop
ositions. The statement that there are no
legal governments now existing in the South
ern States, he refutes by the plain record of
everyday history, as well as by the frequent
and continued recognition Of such govern
ments by Congress itself The usurpation
projected in the plan for military control and
subjugation of ten States now existing under
civil law; the absolute despotism with which
the military chieftains are to be empowered
the awful dangers which lie in the track Of
such an unwarrantable invasion of the natu-
ral and legal rights Of millions, which the bill
inaugurates; the impending ruin which stares
the nation in the face, under the exercise Of
this extraordinary measure, are portrayed in
such vivid colors that the thoughtful men
and women of the land must tremble while
they read the recital of its enormities.
THE PRESIDENT fortifes his position not
only by quotations from the late decision of
the Supreme Court, but the clear and calm
opinion of Chief Justice CHASE prove to be
among the strongest allies and supports Of
the principles of the Executive.
A most momentous question is raised in
the message as to the legality of the consti-
tutional amendment abolishing human sla-
very in the United States. Because Of the
action Of the Legislatures Of the lately rebel
ious States, among others, official promul-
CATION has been made Of the extinction Of
slavery, by the adoption of the constitutional
amendment. By this bill Congress declares
the acts of these States invalid, therefore it
must follow that the amendment has not been
legaAy ratified. Have the radicals revived
the hateful system of human bondage in their
mad crusade against the sovereignty of the
StatesP
The grand point of this remarkable mes
sage is its inAexible adherence to the strict
letter of the Constitution. By that issue
President JOHNSON is determined to stand or
fall. No nobler purpose ever actuated an
American President; and if in his holy war
fare for the sacred principles of the Consti-
tuition Mr.. JOHNSON should be doposed from
power, it will be the highest honor that ever
befel an American statesman. To die fight,
ing for that Constitution on the field of battle
has been counted among the highest oil
earthly glories; to suffer defeat, or displace,
ment in the civil ranks for the same noble
end will be regarded in history as no com
mon Ienown.