The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

On Tuesday Mr.. Johnson sent to Con-
gress his annual Message. II isa formid-
able document in length, and is respectful
in tone, while one half is occupied in an
argument against the congressional plan Of
Reconstruction and the Tenure Of Office
act. The argument is n rehash Of his veto
messages and speeches without even the
poor merit Of being specious, but Is CON-
mendable for It's courtesy, save where he
iutimaies to Congress his power Of the
government.
We are informed that on the cessation
Of ho.tilities he did all he conld to "rcstore
the Union" but was disappointed in such
restoration by the unconstitutional legisla.
ZION Of Congress, and he declares that
"therc exists no Union us our fathers IN
derstood the term, and meant il should be
understood by u.s." Then follows dis
serta,ion Of the melancholy results past,
present and to be expected in no, following
the Constitution. Al intervals this icon
stitutional" lecture is taken up and laid
down throughout the document constitu-
ting its greatest part. reminding the reader
Of what Andrew Johnson once said that
when you find man eternally prating
about constitutional acts, look out for the
traitor and the demagogue. lie then COM
mences along argument to show that the re-
ctsint States are still States in the Union
and consequently entitled to all the rights
and immuniiies Of tile several States.
Therefore the "military act" is unconstitu-
tonal and mn outrage. With the utmost
Difference to tho executive We must say
tina, we have heard that point argued more
clearly and ably in coppcrhead newspapers.
five could believe the argument honest,
the reply would he, that Mr.. Johnson for,
gets that Congress has never adopted Mr..
summers theory las il oughD thar they
were Stn,cs out Of the Union, or were terrific
ries so his argument is needless. But itdid
accept the theory and the fact that the close
ofihe war found those States disorganized
and ,liscor,lant. Congress and the ESccu-
tive believed that they must be re-organiz-
ell. lf Congress erred in not giving them
liberty a. enjoyed by other States not in re-
bellion. Mr.. Johnson not only no less erred
in the very same direction by displacing the
Governors Of said States and appointing
Governors Of his own creating, bat he was
guilty ola graver ofience-usurping pow
ers especially vested in Congress BY this
prating Of unconstitutional acts in the treat
ment Of rebel States Of which, iftrue, he is
as guilty rs any one. and Of which he makes
no mention, he stamps the fact upon this
State Document that he is prominently the
demagogue that the nation believes him to
bc. lie closes this part ofhis message by
recommending a repeal "of the acts Of
Congress which place ten Of the Southern
States under the denomination Of military
masters" The President then has about"
with negro suffrage. lie does not believe
that the negro should bo allowed the ballot
with white men; they should enjoy il only
in a government Of and for themselves
alone. The net allowing negroes the right
Of suffrage he regards as more outrageous
",han the military despo,ism under
which they the unorganized Statesl are
now suffering" "a common humanity
requires ms to save the negro from him
self" Arguing that the blacks are utterly is-
nomnt Of the privileges Of the elective fran
chise, he states.
A trust arti6cisliy created. not for bis own
sake. but solely rs q means VI promoting the
general welfare. its influence Tor good must
necessarily depend upon the elevated character
and true allegiance Of the elector. II ought,
therefore. To be reposed In none except those
who are fitted. morally aud mentally, to adj
minister Il cell for u conferred upon persons
Who do not justly estimate It's value, and who
are Indifferent ~ To its results, II viii only
serve s . means Of placing power In the hands
Of the unprincipled and ambitious. and must
eveutuate In complete destruction Of that liber-
~ Of which II should be the most powerful con-
servator.
Speaking farther Of the black man he
states,
Il cannot be presumed from their previous
condition OF seryitude'that as . class they arc
a. well informed rs To the nature VI our gov
eminent a. the intelligent foreigner Who makes
our land his choice. In the case Of the latter.
neither residence 81 Ave years and knowledge
OF our Institutions which u gives. nor attach
ment To the principles Ut the Constitution, are
the only conditions upon which he can be ad-
mi,ted to citizenship. lie must prove in addi-
ton, q good moral character, and thus give
veasouable ground for the beliefthat he will be
faithful to the obligations which he assumes rs
aciti,eu Of the republic. Where q people, the
source Of all political power, sneak by their
suffrage through the fundamentally OF the
ballot box, 10 must be carefully guarded against
the control Of those who are corrupt in princi-
pie and enemies Of free Institutions for IL can
only become To our political and social system
safe conductor OF healthy popular sentiment.
when kept free from demoraliring influences.
Controlled through fraud and asarpaiion by
Designing men, tNew York ethyl anarchy and
despoti.m must inevitably follow. In the
hands of patriotic and ,rorthy men, [like IN.
copperheads and himself our government will
be preserved upon the principles OF the Con.
stitution inherited from our fathers. II fol-
lows. therefore. that in admitting to the ballot
box = new class OF voters, not 9ualiiel for the
exercise Of the elective franchise. We weaken
our system Of government instead Of adding To
Its strength and durability.
lie believes that this net in giving the
blacks the right to vote, will result, in the
overthrow Of the government. perhaps he
here speaks one word for the government
and three Cor the copperhesds.)
Mr.. Johnson submits that the acts Of
Congress allowing negro suffrage will i'm
pair il no, ruin the credit ofthe country.
submit to the Judgment Of Congress vheth-
or the public credit may not Be injuriously II.
fec<ed by system OF measures like this. With
our debt. and vast private interests which are
sissi nth - h tnsa A taf