The Louisiana Democrat., 1867-12-25


defects in the working ofthe reconstruction
laws passed by Congress, he recommends
that Congress Immediately strike them
| from 1.-THE statute-book" Although it is
hardly to be supposed that Congress can
now be induced to adopt this recommends
tion, yet there is no good reason why it
should not heed the Presidents arguments
and expostulations in the same spirit In
which they are given and that hereafter,
when the opportunity shall arrive, under
the provisions of those laws, to modify its
policy in obedience to demonstrated ne
cessity, it shall do so regardless of the false
pride or punctillio which would counsel
adherence to error upon the ground of mere
committal: With the submission to Con-
gress by the Southern States Of their new
constitutions will come the opportunity of
correcting errors and modifying its policy
in accordance with the suggestions made
by the President. Especially should this
be done with regard to the future political
status Of the negro, so clearly discussed in
the message.
1t cannot be denied that it is an able
state paper, and that it is deserving Of the
careful and unprejudiced consideration not
only Of the bodies to which it is addressed,
but also Of the whole people of the United
States. whose political aud material inter-
ests it so vitality concern.
From the New York Evening Express,
(Dem.
The Presidents message, it may safely
be said, is of character to challenge uni
versal attention. Its spirit and tone are
fully up to the necessities Of the times. In
dealing with Radicalism and the Radicals
the President displays q moral courage
which will secure for him the respect and
applause ofall who can appreciate that, in
these times rarest of all rare qualities, while
his views on the financial question are set
forth in light which must arrest and CON-
mand consideration.
From the New York Herald. und.)
The impartial reader of the message will
find in it not much to condemn, but many
things to approve. The general tone is
per, although slightly 6nctured with the
constitutional ord er Of the stump in some
passages. The most remarkable thing
about it, however, is, that having by facts
and arguments thoroughly demolished the
Southern negro supremacy policy Of Cen,
gress, Mr.. johnson has nothing definite to
recommend in its place. This, we appre-
hend means that the split between the
President and Congress offers mo diplo-
matte halfway 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 a
new President and a new Congress
From the New York journal OF Commerce,
Gud.,)
This document will amply repay care
full perusal. The opening appeal for the
restoration Of the Union upon the basis
of the Constitution is in language and ar
gument worthy Of a place among the best
State papers ever submitted to Congress.
The President shows conclusively that tbe
States lately in rebellion are still members
of the National Union, and that the recon-
struction acts by which they have been de-
prived of the rights Of self government are
not only III direct violation Of the plainest
provisions of the Constitution, but sub
versive Of the very form and substance O
republican government. In few brief,
pithy sentences he describes the evil effects
of this unjust and arbitrary legislation
upon the whole country, North and South,
and alludes with just pride to the vindi-
cation of his views in the result OF recent
popular elections. ' .
4 AS whole, the message in its tone and
composition is creditable alike to its au-
thor and the country over which he pre-
sides, and those who do not agree with
its conclusion cannot deny the ability and
dignity with which they are stated.
From the St. Louis Republican. DEM
It is a document sure to command atten.
} tion. The circumstances of the times, the
conflicting relations between the President
and Congress, the public questions occu.
Ipying the thoughts of the people, would be
certain to create for the message and its
E probable topics an unusu share Of curiosi'
, ty and interest. ltmerit 'areful perusal
1t discusses the vital questions ofthe times
with great ability with equal boldness and
irmness. and with broad and compre
4 hensive'statemanship. Radicalism and its
revolutionary measures are dissected by
the President IN the light ofthe Constitu
ton Of the Republic. and condemned BY
, the authority of that same faHdamentaI
law ~ - We have seldom
read. anywhere, during the past politica
campaign, a more comprehensive and con
vinciing argument against the policy Of con
ferring the elective franchise on ignorant
and debased negroes than is presented II
this message. .*@a@ -
A ve,y interesting portion ofthe message
is that wherein the President discusses tht
! tenure.of-ofice bill, and its pernicious re
strictions upon the constitutional right 9
! the President to remove from. Office. IA
shows the evils inevitably arising from th'
bilL and at the same time equally SHOW!
that Congress has transferred to the Sen
ate the entire responsibility for the exis
tence Of corrupt, dishonest, and swindiiul
officials. The President is released iron
responsibility, and the Radical Senate on
ly is accountable. asb4 eh
) From the Albany Argus, DEM
!. The message which the President ha
| addressed to Congress is so elevated II
: tone, so cogent in reasoning, so conclusiv
in its positions, SO wise and patriotic as t.
} be welcomed by the whole people OF tn
, Union with pride and qualification. "
!. do not often speak with such unreserve'
praise Of the state papers OF our rulers
But this is every way worthy OF the grea
. subjects Of which it speaks. Its modera
: ton of tone which in no way detracts fror
Q the frmness with which its well considers
? points are pressed, is one of'ts most CON
7 mendable characteristics.
/. K
: What contrast these views, thus nttel
: ed, present to the crude and indigestan
], presentation of the Judiciary 9 ommitte
against the President! That feeble, angr.
aud querulous eoncoction, conceallng i
! shallow insuffciency and its degrading o.
r iect, under turgid words and mock-herol
: threats filled the nation with contemp