The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-03
T,o AuDuaI Message of the President
'N' of the United states.


fnII In our paper. II there was anything
wanted after the experience of the past four
vesrs-after the 22d of February, the 4th of
March. and the Western tour-to convince us
that all the feelings and instincts of the Presi-
dent we're those of demagogue, his Message
would. supply any proof not previously fur
nished. 1t is essentially the labored argu-
ment of one who, by specious paragraphs and
the misconstruction of facts, seeks to gain the
goodwill of the body of the people at the
expense Of truth. 1t is a most shameless and
reckless disregard of the spirit of that Consti
tuition which he so earnestly pretends to adore,
and, while reiterating the empty platitudes so
often heard before, is in reality subverting the
will Of the people and seeking to make 1t infe
rior to his own. Let us look at the document
in detail.
The greater portion Of the thirty pamphlet
pages which it covers is given up to an attack
on the Congressional system of RecOnstruc-
ton and the Tenure of Office bill, the part
the Message which refers TO those subjects
occupying twenty pages, or two-thirds of the
Message. The weighty subjects of finance, Of
he tariff, Of the progress of the nation, and
of the requirements of the national faith, with
the dozen kindred of topics of Importance
which should merit Executive advice, are
crowded into the remaining ten pages.
Everything must give way while Mr.. Johnson
INDUCES in a species Of Bacchanalian revel
over the late elections. Without any prepa-
ration, with none of the usual returning of
thanks to Almighty God for the blessings
which have crowned the year, he bursts into
the subject of Reconstruction with "the con-
tinued disorganization of the Union is yet
subject of profound and patriotic concern"
The old, old argument is again gone over; the
ordinances of secession; the status of the
States; the acts of the Supreme
Court; the unconstitutionality and tyranny
of Congress-, are all dilated upon with infinite
JUNCTION and at infinite length. In a dozen
different places does he attack the representa-
u tives of the people. Once he says:-"The
y mere naked will of one of the branches of
Government is the only obstacle that exists to
perfect union of all the States" And again:
''The acts of Congress in question are not only
Objectionable for their assumption of co6pera-
tive power, but many Of their provisions are
in conflict with the direct prohibitions of the
Constitution" The same declarations occur
on every page. But it is idle to point out all
of them.
In discussing the question of negro suffrage,
we find apeculiarity of views which from their
fcMoses" does not come with that propriety
which we would wish for. He gives his views
on the blacks in the following oonciliatory
sentence:-"The blacks of the South are en-
1loI y Ho <,oI md IN
have the protection of just laws for all their
rights of person and property" 1t does not
enter the Executive brain that they
should have any part in the Govern
ment. They are to be governed" with
no prospect held out to them of ever
having voice in the formation of the power
which rules them. 1t will be new pheno-
menon in history if people, without any
means of redress of wrong, put in a commu
nifty only ''to be governed, " can continue long
to be treated swell and humanely.' The
absurd project of sending them off to land Of
their own, or of giving them a separate gov
ernment in our midst, appears to be received
with considerable favor, if it was but practi-
cable-an exploded theory, long since sent to
rest with the chimeras of the past. The settle
ment of the negro question must be effected In
our midst and by our action. The inherent
demagOguism of the Message BAexhibited
when he says:-'It is not proposed merely that
they shall govern themselves, but that they
shall rule the white race, make and administer
State laws, elect Presidents and members OF
Congress, and sway, to greater or less extent,
the future destiny Of the whole country
stump Oratory does not here shine FORTH lheh
we know not where to look for it. We nave
proved that in all of the Southern States WIN
one exception, the whites can defeat the plackS
In point Of numerical strength, even IL 'ne
widest sweep of the Reconstruction laws are
allowed. The idea Of the blacks electing RE
sident and ruling the white race, is one OF the
favOrite phantoms raised for political eneo'
by the opposition.
A sort of TIE Deum is sung over the late eieo-
tiOns, and Congress is assured that 1T Is VAIN
to think of opposing it with anything snort oi
legal authority, backed by overwhelming
force;" and, with sarcasm, he adds:-"lt gives
me pleasure to add that the appeal to our
common constituents was not taken in vain,
and that nly confidence in their wisdom and
virtue seems not to have been misplaced"
Having thus impressed Congress with sense
OF his popularity and their approaching doom,
n 4 IL l.