New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-04
SIR. JOHNSORs MESSAGE

AZ the moment when all patriots are hoping
for cessation of political and qUaSi-scci0nal
strife already too long persisted in and a restor
alton of calmncss and fraternity, Mr.. johnson
hurls fresh frebrand into tho face of the
country. He summons into new activity and
acrimony all the fcuds and hates which good
men had hoped were quictcd, and challenges a
renewal of the mischieyous, pcrilous strife
already protracted beyond reason and for which
there is no longer a shadow of excuse. So un-
timely, so wantonly. wckedly baleiul m ap-
peal to outworn prcjudiccs and dying factions
has not been made in ali our past history. We
sadly apprchcnd that ts effect on the action
of the House on the Impeachment question
| (Which is the special order for today Will be
| such IA 10 perpetuate it, dePlOrablo effects
Mr. Johnson has much To say of =" the Con
" situton," and of negroes in apparent igno-
rance that the Federal Constitution utterly
disregards any political or other distinction
founded on color. IL recognizes some men as
citizens, others as aliens still others rs " In
Z" dams not taxed :" it discrmnates free per
sonsn from all other PERSONS but il knows
no man rs Blacl; or White. Caucasian or Negro.
We turn, therefore, the Presidents batteries
on himself. lie makes q grossly unconstitutional,
iuvidous, unjust distinction between citizens,
where the Constitution and laws make none
makes 1t for the express purpose OF putting
| Four Millions Of loyal Americans under the
! feet Of unchanged Rebels Right well does he
! know that the Four Millions of Southern Blacks
are and have been true to their country, her
authority, her unity. and her flag, while a ma
| iority Of those whom alone nc recognizes as
1 fba Ia ts in IN lrnt
| and destroy them; yet ne is doing his very
utmost TO bctray those loyal -Four Millions into
| the unchecked power of those who are in the
Union only because they were conquered and
compelled to submit to its sway. And hc-nOt
Congresses keeping the Southern States out
of their proper place in the cOunscls of the
Republic, for no reason under heaven but to
betraY those loyal -Four Millions into the power
of the ex-Rcbcls who hold with him that the
Freedmen are entitled TO such rights only as
their late masters see fit TO accord them,
The amazing recklcssncss with which the
President makes assertions that the world
knows to be- untrue has already been noted.
But exposure Of this inlirmity does not secure
its correction. He says in this Message that
Congress submitted an amendment to the
" Constitution 10 be ratified by the Southern
States las they were,l and accepted their
acts Of ratification necessary and lawful
Exercise Of their highest function" This is
not the truth. He says of the Reconstruction
acts OF Congress that
cit Is moniesg and Gponedy the object OF these laws
90 confer upon the negroes the privilege ~ voting ara u"
dsfrnnchse such number OF White ctH ns a. VIII g.
me forl"er cicar majo'ity at al e'oeons ~ NE '
Stales"
He makes this assertion in the face OF oil
cal rcturns-public. notorious, mdspnted-
which show q clear majority OF registered
White voters, under the Reconstruction acts. III
Virginia, in North Carolina, ia Georgia, in Ala
bama, in Arkansas, and in Texas-siS of the
ten States III question, including the largest
and most important, which have al accepted,
by large Inaiorities, the policy of Congress;
while The four States of South Carolina. Missis-
sppi Louisiana and Florida, wherein the
Blacks have q majority of registered electors,
have either failed to accept the plan Of Con-
gress, OF have accepted it by very small ma
joriiies.
But why should we proceed TO rcfute, item
by item. assertions and imputations 80 reck-
lessly made under tho manifest GRintuS Of dis
cOullture and spleen7 The great party which
Mr. johnson has betrayed is known to detcst
him; the party which he has served is very
chary of ndOrsing and fully determined not to
be in any manner committed to bis fortunes.
Hence the acrid temper and truculcnt tone of
this most unfortunate document.
MFR. johnson charges Congress with seeking
10 keep ten States practically out OF tue VnlQp