The President's Message, is summed up in a brief article in the N. Y. Tribune of Dec. 4. The following paragraph presents its chief characteristics.
“It is not so much what the President says as what he declines to say. The first impression of the Message is that his Excellency is chastened. There is much that Mr. Johnson might have done. He has missed many golden opportunities—but none so glorious as this. Congress came from the people magnanimous and kind. There was no disposition to remember anything that had been done—not even the shameless antagonism to the people in the recent elections. All good men trusted that one word might be said which would show a disposition on the part of the President to reach a solution of the many difficulties surrounding the country. All that his Excellency has done was no longer remembered when we saw the peace he might bring to a harassed nation, loving kindness and rest. We believe that there was no feeling of resentment to the President, not even in the hearts of the most Radical members of Congress, that would not have given way before the slightest tendency of the President to harmonize the country. In his Message he shows no such tendency. He clings to his dogmas with as much tenacity as when he hoped to carry the country in the late elections. There is not one word for the negro—not one word for the loyal in the South—not one sentence which might not as well have been written a hundred years ago as to-day, for all the comfort and truth it brings.” War Reports. According to the annual report of the Secretary of war, 222,058 volunteers, including 75,024 colored troops, have been mustered out, leaving 11,043 still in service, about 10,009 of whom are colored. 207,000 horses, 4,400 barracks, and $902,770.45 worth of clothing have been sold. The immense fleet of ocean transports have been almost wholly discharged, and the military railroads and telegraphs, sold, transferred or discontinued. The regular army is fixed at 54,302 men. Expenses for past year $259,374,317. Appropriation for coming year $17,728,560. About 150,000 freedmen and their children are attending school in the Southern States. The Mexican Question Further Involved. Our relations with Mexico and France have suddenly assumed a critical attitude. Napoleon some time ago agreed to withdraw his troops from Mexico this fall, but, just as our government supposed they were about to leave, and had dispatched Gen. Sherman and Minister Campbell to witness the revival of the Juarez government, and assist in it if necessary, Napoleon has given notice that it is inconvenient to transfer his troops from Mexico this fall, and that he cannot undertake it till spring. This is in violation of express engagements, and has a very tricky look. It was this matter which occupied the attention of the cabinet at several prolonged sessions last week, at which Gen. Grant was present by invitation of the president. This fact naturally gives the matter a belligerent aspect, and Gen. Grant, who has for some time been extremely desirous to enforce the Monroe doctrine, is reported to express much indignation and disgust at the duplicity and bad faith of Napoleon. Affairs in Utah. The alarm spread among the anti-Mormon citizens of Salt Lake City by the shocking assassination of Dr. Robinson is deep and wide spread. Their most courageous leaders are for the time awed; they feel that the hand of assassination is raised against them also; and though they will not desert their posts, they are obliged, in the absence of any government protection, to waive some of their rights as free citizens, and to keep close in their homes after dark. The federal judges, the district attorney and the U. S. marshal, with Gen. Connor, now a private but conspicuous citizen, one or all are felt to be marked for the next blow from the secret assassins in the interest of the Mormon hierarchy. The crisis in the war of social and religious elements in Utah is likely to come at any time, and to find the government powerless to protect either class of its citizens from the effects of a limited but terribly bloody civil war. From Europe, we have information by the cable that the Fenian agitation in Ireland still continues; and that, owing to excitement among the Irish at Liverpool, guards have been posted about the depots of arms in that city. The Orangemen are stated to be strong supporters of the Government. The French officers have taken their leave of the Pope, and French vessels of war have blockaded Corea. Moustier, the French Minister of State, it is rumored, will soon resign. A note from France to the Greek Government has been sent, to put an end to the intrigues of the latter in the East, and particularly in Candia. A large fleet of French war vessels is reported ready to sail for Mexico.