Year: 1861




We presume our readers have re,ad this docu-
meut and formed their own opinion as to its mer
its. The general expression il that it does not
meet the expectations Of the country, nor does il
display even an approximation of the ability which
should characterize the administration Of the Gov
ernment in this most important crisis in its his
tory. Its effect abroad will be more damaging
than at home. In no respect can it create ia
yorable impression, but on the contrary it will
present the evidence that neither comprehensive
talent craftsmanship guide our public affairs at
this critical period, and that the Government has
fallen into the hands of pigmies and Iyros.- The
great rebellion, which has taxed the energies of
as of secondary consideration, and we are left as
much in the dark as to the paiicy Of the Admins
tration in its effort TO restore the Union as we
were before the remarkable document saw light
None can doubt the paternity of the message. 1t
is LINCOLN all over, and is a fair reflex of the
character of the man. Il was evidently written
as matter of necessity-muchi in the same spirit
and with the same intention that the old woman
administered an injection to a child, that if it did
no good, it certainly would do no harm.
Throughout the President displays his pro-
found sympathy for the negro. He desires
recognition of Hayl and Liberia, and the
appointment of Charges to those Governments.
And the compliment must be returned by receiv-
ing two negro Ambassadors, who 10y their posi-
ton will have privileges in Washington
which private citizens can not enjoy. If
his Recommendations approved, it will
make places for two dyed in the wool Abolition
lists. In discussing the relations of capital and
labor, be regards the negro not as a subjective
and inferior race, but the equal of the white.
He forgets, too, or suppresses the fact, that the
the theory of our institutions have been practi-
cally illustrated equally in the North and South.
The pathways Of preferment and honor, in all
sections of the country, have been open alike
to ambition and energy, and it can not be
said that the aristocracy of wealth in
either North or South have monopolized
the road to fame and honor. A few notable
instances viii illustrate this position. JACK
SON, the great soldier, statesman and political
leader, was the son of poor parents, and so was
CLAY. ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS was charity
scholar, and ANDY JOHNSON was tailor upon
the bench. Yet these men, of as humble an ori-
gin as Mr.. LINCOLN, had, and have, to a remark
able degree, the respect Of their own section of
the Union. And the suggestions of Mr.. LINCOLN
on this head are the merest truisms, known to
every school boy. What more simple PROPOSE
ton than that labor produces capital. And this
tbeorem is not confined to political economy.
greatness can be attained. The student has to
climb the hill with great labor to reach the goal
OF his ambition, and the great moral teacher tells
US that it is through strife alone that we can
subdue our evil propensites, and acquire heav-
enly virtues. t


The President evidently is under the impres
sion that the Government is undergoing rev.
olution-a radical change. His suggestions
look to such result He favors an obliteraton
of State lines, change of boundaries and the for
though no constitutional barriers stood in the
way. And his propositions for reorganization
of the Federal court looks to an altered condition
of public affairs. And in reference to our foreign
relations, while congratulating the country upon
the good understanding which exists with all gov
ernments, he manifests bis own misgiyings as to
the apparently friendly feeling prevailing, by
recommending a vigorous preparation to repel
any intervention in our affairs which may not be
far distant. sise. sI2


The left handed compliment to General
MoCLKLLAS is decidedly funny. The President
says, lone bad General is better than two good
ones." and therefore he evidently thinks it for
tunate that the good General Soorr has retired
to make way for the poor one, SO that if nothing
else was gained thereby we can have unity OF
purpose and action


- But enough for to-day. We presume no
one has arisen from perusal of the message
without being dissatisfied detected, full of fear
full forebodings to the future. Certainly it is
not in the wisdom of our rulers we can rely for a
safe advent from our national difficulties, and we
can only hope that


- "Behind afrownng Providence M
II H.