The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-12-04

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WEDNESDAY, MORNING. DEc. 4.
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.s,.EHE PREaIDBsrs MESSAGE.
We have not had opportunity to give
the Pfesldenps message more than a
hurried reading and therefore shall not
attempt at present to speak Of itexcept
In general terms, leaving a more min.
ute examination Of lts leading features
for other occasions as they may arise.
Taken as n whole, II Is document TO
be commended for the general dignity
Of It's tone. In this respect 1t is certain.
ly nothing more than what a paper
from so high source should be. But
when coutrasted with the speeches
made by the same author last year, we
feel as though such u feature Is worthy
Of special remark, And yet, while Ii
seems in this respect 10 rise above the
general characteristics Of Mr.. johnson,
the intelligent reader viii not
fall To- notice how plainly the
old anlmuB that so thoroughly pos.
sessed and permeated the speeches re-
ferredto, tinctures and leayens even this
measagc. Itrequlres considerable skill
In the use OF words 70 give it once full
expression to an idea and yet divest
the idea itself OF all the objections that
may attach TO 1t. Mr.. johnson has
spared no pains 10 tone thls message up
To the level OF State paper. The Ian.
guage Is deliberately chosen, the periods
are well rounded, and the phrassology
is elevated, but the stump speech Is VS.
bic nevertheless. The document is
nominally messageto the two houses
OF Congress, while in reality tits In.
tended 10 be u popular vindication Of
the whole policy Of his administration.
Notice the elaborate augmentation OF
the negro question. and how II is put for.
ward In all Its ad eaptaadlta phases.
Mr.. johnson CONSTITUTES the fall cleo.
tons as verdict OF condemnation on
the part Of the people against the Con.
gtessionRl policy as regards the negro.
Aud yet II never once seems to strike
him that 1t might by any possibility be
a reputation OF the views put forth by
himself In a celebrated speech to the
negroes of Nashville in 1854, or with a
certain conversation held with Major
Stearns in 1865. ,.. ~
And In the same manner, and With
sOn ewhat of the same general con.
slsteucy, he pictures the dangers OF set.
ting up military despotism in the
South, and would have 1t understood
that here again his record is sustained
by the people In the late elections. ap-
pareutly never once recalling his own
antecedents as Military Governor of
Tennessee, at time when he was &C.
customed to "spot" u man given to talk
about the Constitution"
Heholds out to the nation the idea
thac military government in the South
Is to cost s2OO.OOO,OOO per annum. As
we remember 1t, the whole ex-
pense OF the army last year was
but some ST. 600 900, and this includes
our Indian war Expenditures together
with general military establishment
Of 66 900 men. Next year the army is
to be reduced, and 1t is presumed that
we will have no Indian war on hand.
1t would bestrauge under such clrcum-
stances II our military expenses should
suddenly swell TO 100000, 900. We
therefore think that IL was hardly
necessary on the part of Mr.. johnson
TO force up such au exhibit from the
depth OF his Imagination as means OF
inIensifying the point be had In view.
As TO the financial arguments in
obliged in by the President, we do not
propose to speak to-day. 1t will be
seen that he fully falls in with Mr..
McCulloch's policy of contraction. We
need only say that however true as alb.
stracL views the ideas advanced may be,
yet like the whole situation a. the
South, which he sees and places in such
a detached position, they cannot DO re-
duced to practice without the risk Of
disaster to the country. 1t is quite GER
tain that Congress, rejecting the will
ofthe people, will stand almost, II not
entirely, as far apart from Mr.. johnson
on these points as upon the general sit
uation.
MEssRs. Burnley, Ratnsdell and Cum