The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-04

4
The Presidents Message Is mainly devoted
to o reproduction In ertenso, Of his peculiar
| views on Southern reconstruction. His argu-
| ment In reference to the status and constitu-
tional rights Of the rebel States is that of an
earnest and well satisfied advocate but he
forgets that In 1865 he officially pronounced
those States as without legal governments or
civil officers, and proceeded to set them up
with Provisional Governors, reconstruction
conventions and constitutions, subject to the
decision of Congress. But letting all this
pass, Mr.. Johnson, on the unconstitutionalty
of the existing Reconstruction laws, on the
folly and dangerous tendencies Of unqualified
negro suffrage and Southern negro supremacy,
| on the costs Of reconstruction under this per-
nicous system, and on the verdict Of the late
| Northern elections, makes up powerful case
against the radicals and in favor of " the re-
peal of those acts Of Congress which place
ten of the Southern States under the domna-
ton Of military masters"
But what does Mr.. johnson propose instead
OF these obnoxious laws? In 1866 Congress
passed certain constitutional amendment and
submitted 1t to the States for their ratification.
In opposition to this amendment Mr. Johnson
submitted his policy Of Southern reconstruc.
ton and restoration to the public Judgment.
Thus, between his policy and the amendment
| from Congress the issue was joined which
| controlled the elections of last September,
October and November, year ago. And
what was the result? An overwhelming pop
ular majority in every State for the Con-
gressional amendment, from Maine to Califor-
| MIA. That was the verdict Of tho people.
| They approved that amendment, which de-
clared equal civil rights to individuals as citi-
zens, regardless of race or color, and which
| left the question of the elective franchise to
| the several States to settle, the only condition
exaoted being this to wit that where there
was no suffrage there should DO no counting of
the excluded race or class in counting the
people for representation in Congress.
Now, had Mr.. Johnson recommended to
Congress return to this amendment in defer
ence to the voice Of the people, his argument
would have been as strong as line Of rivets
driven through the splicing Of steam boiler
| and clinched on tho other side. In re-
commencing nothing but the repeal Of
these Southern military despotisms he
leaves us to the conclusion that he
will approve nothing but his own policy,
condemned by the people as emphatically as
they have condemned in its turn this more re-
cent Congressional policy of Southern negro
supremacy. The President indicates no margin
for compromise with the two houses of this
Forteth Congress. He will not bulge peg,
and they will not bulge . peg; and so, we
suppose, 1t will be to the end of his term Of
Office, when he will retire, and they will retire,
and that will be the last Of them.
Touching the enormous frauds upon the
Treasury (whskey) from which colossal for
tunes have been made, the Message says they
are still increasing, and if not diminished will
soon bring us into total ruin and disgrace-a
warning which, we hope, will be respected by
the whiskey law makers. In the Tenure of
Office bill Mr.. Johnson has good cause and
turns it to good account On the national
finances his views, being substantially those Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury, need no special
remark here, being covered by special article
upon the subject in these columns. On the
question OF the Alabama claims the Mes
sage merely gives little fact and
hnt, but the hint is very broad and sig
nifcant one. In regard to the general condi
ton of our foreign relations, otherwise, it is
"as we'll as could be expected" though here
We have vast field for Improvement and pro-
gress as one of the leading nations of the
earth, particularly in that important matter
which gave the Roman citizen safety, respect
and consideration in every corner Of the
globe.
The impartial render of the Message will
find in 1t not much to condemn, but many
things to approve. The general tone is that of
a calm and dispassionate state paper, although
slightly tinctured with the constitutional odor
of the stump in some passages. The most re-
markable thing about it, however, Is, that after
having by facts and arguments thoroughly
demolished the Southern negro supremacy
policy Of Congress, Mr.. Johnson has nothing
definite TO recommend in its place. This, We
apprehend, means that the split between Presi-
dent aud Congress offers mo diplomatic half
way house Of rest" and that therefore nothing
in the way of relief need be expected for the
South until the people shall have established
at Washington new President and a new
Congress.