Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-12-14
Ihe Presidents Message.

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fully read and freely criticised by all classes
OF citizens, whether agreeing with or opPos-
ing the political views entertained by the
President. In fact, the message Of the
Executive is not regarded as political paper
nor viewed IN a party light; but it is ex-
pected to contain information i'll regard 70
the operations of the various branches Of the
Government, detail the condition of affairs
at present and suggest such changes and
measures for the future as may appear nee
essary. That the opinions and suggestions
of the President are entitled to and should
receive the respectful attention of Congress.
and if conceded with by that body, be acted
upon and carried out, the bitterest partisan
will not deny; but when that official over
steps the bounds of courtesy, assumes power
which is not conferred by the prerogatives CT
his position and attempts to dragon the
popular branch of the Government into con-
formity with his ideas, he forfeits the respect
which his exalted position inspires, and re-
Enquishes all claim to unbiased judgment.
The recent message of President Johnson is a
lengthy, deliberately constructed document,
at least one-half of which is devoted to the
Reconstruction measures passed by Con-
gress. There is nothing sophistical, cunning
or subtle contained in the paper. 1t has at
least one merit-boldncss. There is no
attempt at concealment of the sentiments or
designs of the author they are unequivo-
cally stated. With an efFrontery positively
charming he clothes himself with imaginary
ermine and coolly assuming the prerogatives
of the Supreme Court, declares the action
taken by Congress, in relation to the seeded
States, to be unconstitutional" and plainly
hints that collision between the Executive
and Legislative branches of the Government
is not impossible. 1t is the popular belief,
however, that the President of the United
States is chosen to execute the laws enacted
by Congress, and not to pass judgment upon
their constitutionality. If that power is
vested in the Executive, he should imme-
diately abolish the Supreme Court; if not,
any attempt to assume Its responsibilities is
unwarrantable and cannot be too severely
condemned. Johnson takes the ground that
the States are not nor never were out of the
Union that they are entitled to representa-
ton upon the floor of Congress; that the
present system of government in the South
ern States is illegal and despotic, and that
the attempt to confer political privileges
upon the negroes Is unjust. In support of
his position he advances the same arguments
contained in the vetoes which he sent in to
Congress, in place of his signature, at the
time the Acts complained of were passed.
In fact, the message, on that portion of it
which refers TO reconstruction, is simply
second edition of his vetoes, re-touched by a
skillful hand. Notwithstanding Johnson
lays great stress upon the result of the recent
elections, and is pleased to consider it an
endorsement of his policy, Congress will
undoubtedly persevere in the course which
it has taken towards the rehabilitation of the
South. The President ignores the fact that
Congress was disposed to deal leniently with
those who had borne arms against the Gov
eminent, and offered the people of the
seeded States every possible inducement to
return to their allegiance upon the most
reasonable terms, Immediately subsequent to
the suspension of hostilities. Encouraged
by the factious opposition made by Johnson,
+bax, pf,,11 I
if the measures which necessity has sternly
demanded are harsh, they have only an
apostate Executive and themselves to blame.
Johnson's assumption that the result of the
recent elections is condemnation Of the acts
of Congress appears ridiculously absurd when
the fact that, with the exception of three or
four of its members, the present Congress
was elected directly upon that issue, is taken
into consideration. We firmly believe that
the loyal people of the North will sustain
Congress in the course it is pursuing in re-
gard to reconstruction. and that that body
will perform its duty in spite of Johnson's
arguments and threats. The President COM
plains that immense frauds are being per-
petrated upon the Treasury" and that the
Operations of the Tenure of Office Bill pre-
vents his removing the dishonest officials"
This is undoubtedly true, so far as the ere
moving" is concerned but had the Bill not
become law, every position within the gift
of the President would have been filled by
his sycophantic adherents-men as disloyal
as himself. The exigencies of the times de-
manded its passage, and if frauds have been
perpetrated they are mere bagatelles COM
/ pared with what we should have to suffer
had Johnson been allowed to exercise the
/ appointing power uninterruptedly. In con-
clusion the President briefly refers to the
Reports of the heads of the departments.
He gives it as his opinion that "sound cur
rency should be restored" and the public
faith, in regard to the national debt, faith
fully observed = two very important mat
tiers which We are glad Johnson has taken
sensible view Of and which will relieve the
apprehensions of those who have feared that
the Democratic nominee for President would
stand upon a platform pledged to repu-
/ diation.
| The message, taken as a whole, is much
the ablest paper which Johnson has emanated,
and were it not for the obstinate opposition
to Reconstruction by which it is character
lied, would not be wholly Objectionable to
loyal citizens. Notwithstanding its many
fallacies, however, it contains a good deal
which cannot fail to be interesting to the