The Montana post., 1868-12-18
THE PREsfDENT,s MESSAGE,

a peruSal OF the PRESIDENT ; AlesSAge
will impress the reader that if Mr.. John
son is not fruitful in ideas. he il un-
doubtedly tenacious of what he has
Omitting the platitudes, the suggestions
on Finances. evidently prepared by Mr.
Mccullough the views on Annexation
and Acquisition that bear the distin
guishable imprint of Mr.. Seward soiled
by the my policy" finger marks of Mr.
Johnson. and the vapid, mediocre review
of Foreign Affairs, there is little else in
il than a rehash of the veto messages
for which he WAS indebted 20 ADLER
minds. and repetition of the terms
that have WOE him the distinction of an
uncommon scold.
Viewing il as document authorized
by the Constitution. Ito give intorma-
tion TO Congress on the state of the
Union. il is failure. We find nothing
therein, exsep. regarding foreign rela-
tions, that has not been heretofore more
ably and fully discussed in the Senate
and House. Regarding it as compli-
ance with the remaining clause. " to
recommend to their consideration such
measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient.' it fully covers the ground.
But the Congress had those before. and
rejected them, and the nation approved
their action. GOOD sense would have
induced him To hesitate in denouncing
! Of x.risH
those laws Congress has adopted and the
country has ratified. not less because of
his known detection and their lack of
/ confidence in him, than favorable opin
deavor to shield his errors under the
cloak of general honesty.
In the discussion of the Financial
problem, while some of the propositions
are incontrovertible. and the object os>
tensibly sought, that which is of the
/ highest importance and vital to the
welfare of the nation, Mr.. Johnson has
not led but followed where the legisla-
tive wisdom of the country has opened
the way. Rigid economy, carefully
revised system of taxation, and the
funding of the debt in uniform, longer
maturing bonds, at less rate of inter
est. has been the aim. earnest study, and
effort of thUse whom he now arbitrarily,
and in language apprOximatiug inso-
lence, advises TO "retrace their steps.
Ii may seem inconsistent that. denounc-
| ing all necessary expenditures in harsh
! nd fsarn la
Gus conduct in the unnecessary acquisi :
tion of territory, involving millions of
expenditure, ,andcensures Congress when
they have failed to ratify his treaties.
The limits to which space circumscribes
us prevents an extended exposition here
of the speciOus .allacies by which he
endeavors TO prejudice the country
4 against their legislators and iDjuriously
awaken distrust in the public mind of
/ the ability of the Government TO dis
I charge its Indebtedness without a Sc
verely burdensome and dangerous taxa
ton of its people. There is one salts
| faction few persons care to smoke the
stumps of old cigars, and few, having
read one of Mr.. Johnsoa's messages.
care TO wade through subsequent stereo-
types. Those who do. will see at a
glance the perversiGn of facts. the soph-
istries. by which the nation is taught
its Legislators are in league TO "'swindle'
the masses of the people for the benefit
of the few. and that the Government
should violate its obligations because
their value has appreciated since they
were issued. We claim that the follow
ing utterances by the Chief Magistrate
is the encouragement of rebellion.
We now pride ourselves upon having
gwen freedom TO 100000 of the colored
race. il will then be our shame that
I 10000, 900 of people by their own tole-
ration of usurpation and profigacy have
suffered themselves TO become enslaved
and merely exchanged slave owners for
new task masters in the shape of bond
holders and tax gatherers."
This is even more culpable than the
implied threat that failure to accede
to his recommendations will result in
reputation. We had thought that Mr.
johnson would make an effort in this
last opportunity TO redeem himself be-
fore the nation and the world. There
is no manifestation of regard for the
opinions of his countrymen, not even an
eleventh hour repentance; nothing but
the bravado's last bid for fame-to die
game with his boots on.
Our critical relations with England
have but barest mention and it will
doubtless require a resolution for Con-
gress TO receive even an intimation OF
the status of thk government and that
on the settlemeA of the international
claims. The Message has one redeem-
ing feature-breyiIy. and to the invo-
cation of reverence for the constitution
unity, strength, perpetuity and prosper
ity, I" on earth peace good will towards
men we devouIly add, amen.
SHOWED Up.