New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-03
VOL. XXVH.....NO' 8,3l5.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mr.. JOHNSON on RECONSTRUCTION AND
NATIONAL FINANCES.


OF its cOntents: .,...,
The President opens by saying that the continued
Differentiation of the Union 10 when the rIesiuehV
has so often called the attention OF Congress YET"
,nbiect of profound and patriotic concern lie says
.Itis therefore source of profound regret, in COM
lyip, with the Obligation imposed upon the Pres-
dent by the Constitution, to gave Congress from the
10 time information of the state OF the
Union | am unable to communicate any &c
fnitye adjustment satisfactory to the Amer
lean people of the questions which, since the
close of the Rebellionh have agtated the public mind
On the contrary caudor compels me to declare that
at this time there is Union, as our fathers under
stood the term and they meant it to be understood
by us. The Union which they established can exist
only where all the States are represented in both
Houses of Congress- To the President, the process
Of restoration seems perfectly plain and simple IL
consists merely IN faithful application of the Con-
sttution and laws. The execution OF the laws is not
now obstructed by physical force. There is no mill
fary or other necessity, real or pretended when can
,revent obedience TO the Constitution either North
or South All the rights and all the obligations oil
States and individuals can be protected and enforced
by means perfectly consistent With the fundamental
law. 1t is clear to his apprehension that the states
lately IN rebellion are still members of the National
UniOn When did they cease to be so The Ordi-
nances of Secession adopted by porton-in most oil
them, a very small pOrtOn-Of their citizens were
mere utilities If we admit now that they were
valid and eectual for the purpose intended by the
authors we sweep from under our feet the whole
ground upon which we justified the war
The President Celebrates these views at great
length. and then says; Being sincerely convinced
that these views are correct would be unfalthful
70 nv duty if did not recommend the repeal of the
acts of Congress which place ten of the Southern
States under the domination of military masters
II calm reflection shall satisfy q majority OF your
honorable bodies that the acts referred to are not
pply violation of the National faith, but in direct
conflict with the Constitution, dare not permit my
.elf to doubt that you will Immediately strike them
from the statute book
The President proceeds 10 say that he has no de-
sire to save from the Just and proper consequences
Of their crime those who engaged in the Rebellion
bnt as a mode Of punishment the measures under
consideration are the most unreasonable that could
be invented Many of these people are perfectly in
nocent and of those who are guilty with their own
consent the degrees Of guilt as various as ther
shades of character and temper But these acts OF
congress confound them all together in one common
DOOM Indiscriminate vengeance on classes sects'
parties or upon whole communities for ohenses COM
Initted by portion of them against the Government
which they owed obedience was common IN the bar
barous ages but Christianity and civilization have
made such progress that recourse TO punishment so
,ruel and unjust would meet the condemnation of all
anpreiudiced and ughtminded men. The primitive
nstice Of this age especially in this country does
not consist in stripping whole States Of their liberties
md reducing all of their people without distinction
10 the condition of slavery.
He saws he is aware that ii is assumed that this
system Of government for the South is not to be per-
petual II the guarantees Of the Constitution can be
broken Professionally to serve temporary purpose
and in part only Of the country, we can destroy
them everywhere, and for all time Arbitrary meas
ures often change but they generally change LOT the
worse. tits the course of despotsm that it has no
hating place The President then says 1t is mani
testify and avowedy the object of these laws to con
fer the privilege of voting on the negroes and to dis
franchise such a number of whites as to give the
former clear majority Of all the elections in the
Southern States This 10 the minds Of some persons,
Is so important that a violation Of the Constitution
sjustifed as the means Of bringing 1t about we
are not permitted to do evil that good may
come but in this case the end IS evil
The subiugation of these States 10 negro
domination would be than the military des-
porism under which they are now suffering. The
blacks in Ethe South are entitled to be well and
humanely governed and to have the protection Of
lust laws for their rights Of person and property If
II were practicable at this time TO give them gov
ernment of their own it is questionable to do So But
now they are permitted to elect Legislatures organ
lie States and elect Presidents. No independent
Government has been maintained by negroes. The
message goes on to argue the dangers Ofhe extension
of the elective franchise and says that 100000 OF
degraded slaves Yesterday be made intelligent
freemen to-day The President is willing to JOIN in
anv plan TO better the condition of the negroes IN all
rights save transferring to them our political inherit
ance.
The President alludes TO the uncounted millions
that the Congressional plan has cost, and says 1t VIII
increase the burdens of taxation, and may bank
rupt ms. 1--WE must mott he adds, delude our
selves Ii Will require a strong standing army ana
probably more than $2OOOOO0 per year 70 MAINTAIN
the supremacy of negro governments when they are
established. The money thus thrown away II pun
into a sinking fund, would pay the national deDt IN
- years. 10 is vain TO hope the negroes VIII
their own ascendency" 49,, n.,..,.
lie discusses the extent TO which the President may
go toward protecting the Constitution ana opposing
the unconstitutional acts of Congress ana says IL
has caused him much sOlictude, and nc believes lnat
Executive resistance TO unconstitutional acts might
in high times Of party excitement lead 10 civil war
The Executive would cOncede much 70 preserve the
peace. but there may be times when lac would have
10 take a stand regardless OF the consequences Inc
sOcaed Re reconstruction acts do not come within the
puryiew Just mentioned, though clearly uncOnstitu-
tiOnal. The people are not wholly dlsarmed OF the
power of sclf-defense. In all the Northern states
fbey still hold in their hands the right of protection
and the late results Of the ballot shows he says that
his faith in the people was not misplaced.
The Civil Tenure bill Is next discussed and de,
nOunced unconstitutional and extraJudlcial' ana
prOmotive Of fraud IN preventing the removal OF
dishonest officers.
The President then deliberately discusses the iinan
cal question aud invites 20 II the early consideration
of Congress. In comparing the currency circulation
OF years with now, he says that the strk
ing facts make II the obvious duty OF the Govern
ment 20 take such will enable the holder
Of its notes and those Of the National Banks tO con
vert them without loss into specie or It's equivalent