It had been looked for with great interest and with varying speculations as to its character.

It was expected, and as the event proved with good reason, that it would affect the relation of parties in the Northern States; that it would produce ill-feeling between the President and the Republicans, who had chosen him; and that it would lead, with equal certainty, to a tender of support from the Democrats who had hitherto opposed him.

But Mr.Johnson had evidently resolved to exhibit a spirit of calmness and firmness in his official communication, and, while steadily maintaining his own ground, to avoid all harsh words that might give offense to those who differed from him.
The moderation in language and the general conservatism which distinguished the message were perhaps justly attributed to Mr.Seward, who had no doubt hoped, by kindly words of conciliation, to avert the threatened break in the ranks of the Republican party.

Mr.Seward had never in his Congressional career been a compromiser, but he now worked most earnestly to bring about an accommodation between the Administration and Congress.

His argument was the one skillfully employed by all who seek an adjustment between those who ought to be friends: Let each party give way a little; let a common ground of action be established; and, above all, let the calamity of a party division be averted.
The President in his message dwelt at some length in a tone of moderation upon the condition of affairs in the South.