The Louisiana Democrat., 1867-12-25
The Presidents Message.
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
v,om the Springfield (Mass.) Republican,
(Rpp.1

(hpp.J
u WAS anticipated that the President
-ou,d be encouraged by the fall elections
sOu y, maintain his own position, as against
u .Sat I Of Congress, in the matter Of recon-
lns' l1."ction; and he has gone through the
s.S .h;sct with extraordinary vigor and thor
suo ssnass lie plunges into it boldly in the
Ousn%v usninr sentence of the message, forgetting
opspt q. customary allusion to the favor of Prov
!as .,sa"a ga and keeps it up through half the
luo"S sssge And those who most differ with
,assl ,is w;ll confess that this side of the argu-
a"nt n,nr has not before been so compactly and
!lansn"rossiyely las"s exhibited. There is calm
nss and conscious power about it which
so1s Soas not at all eomport with the common
uoos sooontfon of the intellectual and moral
eua caality of Andrew johnson. Whoever
4aa l.a,s it it is well done, and it will rank
Hrva mong the most careful and finished of
a.ats a.anT napers Every position is taken and
s.s ss.sto;ned with such consummate art and
ssaaHf:nossession as will make it doubly ag-
ssa ,,ayrptinp to those whose Republicanism
SBonsists mainly of the negative excellence
Pant; Johnsonism. But there is nothing
~ # Of tue bitterness of spirit which might
n,avoke and justify demonstrations of per-
ggouaI g hostility, and therefore nothing to
strengthen the party of impeachment in
Congress.
In reference to the Presidents recon-
meudation for the repeal of the reconstruc-
inn acts the Republican makes the follow
pe admissions
The idea Of. going back to absolutely
Constitutional methods, till this business is
suished up, will not be entertained by Con-
nrpss. Congress cannot 60 back. 1t must
advance, but will not refuse to correct
errors.
From the Newark Daily Advertiser, (Rad.)
However firmly its readers may be op-
nosed to the views Of the political sitna-
lion expressed by Mr.. Johnson, they must
eoncede to it dignity and calmness Of ex-
pressjon, with an ability ofargument, which
are the more gratifying from its contrast
with some other utterances from the same
source.
From the New York Post, (Rad.)
Mr.. Johnson's message, of which the
whole appears on the outside, is not SO
tersely and forcibly written as some OF his
preyiaus state papers, but is nevertheless
striking both in style and logical ability.
Few ofour Presidents have handled the
uen with the vigor, perspicuity, and gene
al literary correctness that mark the pub
lic papers of the present Executive. But
we wish that his judgment in public affairs
we're as precise and just as they are in COM
,osition. In that event we should have
been spared one-fourth, at least, of the doc.
ument before US. Nearly oil that is said
Of the reconstruction act might as well
have been left out. The constitutional as
poets of it he has argued before, with equal
force, at least, and he adds nothing to the
weight of his argument. Neither can he
instruct as mach by any new facts, as the
experiment is still in the course Of trial
scarcely begun, indeed, in many respects
and he ought to have awaited the com
ptete results. What he does say, we fear
will open old sores, and justify that acrimo
NOUS retaliation of debate for which Con
gress is only too ready. Nothing more
was due to the dignity Of the President
than to repeat his views in paragraph, to
urge briefly, if he thought proper, modif
cation Of those of Congress, and to state
the inconvenience of the tenure of Office
bill TAis persistency in recurring to tn,
old topics win have no effect but to invite
further antagonism, which will tend to pre-
vent an ultimate settlement.
From the New York Times, Rad).
As whole we regard the message as tht
least satisfactory-as calculated, at thi'
uarticuiar crisis in national affairs, to d.
the least COED and the most harm-of an,
which President johnson has sent to Con
eress. It will contribute less than any 9th
er to the restoration ola peaceful and con
siderate temper, and will do more than an.
other to increase and confirm the ranco
and acrimony of feeling from which th'
country has suffered so much already. A
stronger censure could not well be passed
upon it. q :,
From the New York Tribune, (Rad.)
At the moment when all patriots are
hoping for cessation Of political ant
uuasi.sectiopal strife already too long per
sisted il, and restoration of ofealmness ant
fraternity, Mr.. johnson lurls a fresh FIRE
brand into the face of the country. Ht
summons into new activity and acrimony
allthe reuds and hates which good mer
had hoped were quieted, and challenges
renewal Of the mischievous, perilous strife
already protracted beyond reason, and fol
which there is no longer shadow OF ex
cuse. So untimely, SO wantonly, wiekedly
baleful an appeal to outworn prejudice;
and dying factions has not been made il
all our past history. We sadly apprehenc
that its effect on the action of the House
on the impeachment question will be such
as to. .perpetuate its deplorable effects.
From the Philadelphia Press, (Rad.)
Mr.. Johnson's message is, we suppose
about what every body expected. he still
clings to the old fallacies, and appears like
one given up to delusions.
From the New York Sun, (Rep,)
The Presidents message il smoothly
written document, evidently prepared with
great care and much labor. In the effor1
to secure nicely rounded periods the edge
otthe message has been somewhat dulled
is, nevertheless, fully up to the aver
age Of fsuch compositions. What it lack;
10 sharpness and force, it makes up in dig
nifty and good taste. In its discussion O
national question there is nothing upor
which an objection can be raised, so far a;
the tenor and temper OF the message arr
concerned. Although the issue with Con
s'essis plainly stated, it is not stated il
q manner that is in the least discoprteou!
oe offensive. The reconstruction question
aha The points at issue between the Presi
0ent aud Congress take precedence in th'
message, and are discussed at great length
Inc argument against the course OF Con
sTess IS strong and difficult of refutation
!. ,ae President takes the broad ground tha
me Union was not dismembered by tn,
sari that the Southern States are now il
.'ae same rebellion to the Union that the,
y, sefe before the war, and that, consequent
y, Congress has no legitimate authority t,