The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-06

together; our country Would cease TO
have any claim upon the confidence
Eof men, and that such q violation
would make the war not only fail
ure, but fraud. His argument on
this point is uDanswerable.
On the question of negro suffrage,
involving negro domination, or "ne-
gro supremacy. as it is called, the
President occupies an unequivoeal
and well-assured position. BE re-
CARDS such domination as much
worse than she military governments
now in existence in the Southern
States, and very wisely comes to the
conclusion, that the people of these
States would endure the military
governments for any length of time,
rather rather than. degrade themselves by
subjugation to the negro race" At
the same time, he expresses his will
ingness to join in any plan within the
scope of constitutional authority,
which promises to better the oondi-
tion of the negroes in the South, by
encouraging them in industry, en-
Tightening their minds. improving
their morals, and giving them protec-
tion in all their just rights as freed
men; but, at the same time, he takes
the ground that the transfer of our
political Inheritance to them, would
be an abandonment Of aeduty which
we owe alike to the memory Of our
fathers, and the rights of our chill
dren. This whole matter is fully and
ably discussed, and the arguments
advanced, should be read by all.
A very significant paragraph of the
message, is that in relation to the ex-
tent of the Presidents authority to
resist unconstitutional Acts of Con-
gress. He says that this question has
been O source OF much anxiety to
him. He very properly says that re-
sistance to an Act regularly passed
and enrolled. especially in times of
high party excitement, would amount
to civil war. While o faithful and
conscientious magistrate will concede
very much to honest error, yet he as
serts that ceases may occur in which
the. Executive would be compelled to
stand upon its rights, and maintain
them, regardless of all consequences.
This right he would certainly exer-
else. if found necessary to ''save the
life of the nation" He does not
think the reconstruction laws demand
such forcible interference at this time.
AS regards his whole policy, he points
significantly to the endorsement it
has received from the people of the
States in which elections have recent
ly been held. The above is brief
abstract of his views on the great
question of reconstruction.
The President next alludes to the
enormous frauds which have been
perpetrated on the Treasury, and
shows his inability to apply suffi-
cient remedy, on account of the
restrictions imposed upon him by the
"tenure of Office" law of Congress.
He then takes up the reports of the
heads of the different departments of
the Government, giving brief alb
stracts and proper comments thereon.
He alludes to our claims on Great
Britain, and expresses the hope that,
although 80 far the latter Govern
ment has coupled all propositions for
settlement with conditions that are
inadmissible, the two Governments
will yet come to proper under
standing on the subject.
The remainder of the message is
devoted to matters of minor impor-
tance, all of which are very clearly and
ably discussed. This important docu-
ment is most comprehensive in its
treatment OF every subject of national
interest; and although the brief re-
1o1 r