The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-23 00:00:00

promising to make it a first effort of his adminis-

tration to restore that harmony and good feeling
in the Union, which late events had injured, and
for a time almost threatened a disruption of the
entire Republic. Respecting the Kansas affair,
President BUCHANAN is bold, explicit, and firm.
He is not to countenance the inexpedient and
indiscreet movements of the abolitionists, nor
will he permit the pro-slavery party to violate
the law, or to adopt a course which will endanger
the public peace.. Whilst approving of this de-
termination, we could have wished be had gone a
little farther, and strongly repudiated the exten-
sion of slavery. But as we cannot obtain from
him all we could desire, we must be satisfied
that he will not go for an extension- of the
accursed system, and that he will leave it to the
will of the people whether slavery is to be recog-
nised in any newly acquired territory.
Late events have demonstrated that corruption
of a very reprehensible character has predomi-
nated in almost every department of the Admin-
istration,—spreading demoralisation in the
Senate —the very fountain of law, government,
and public rectitude. This he proposes to' ex-
tinguish. From this topic. the- PRESIDENT
proceeds to notice the flourishing state of the
national treasury, and dwells at some length on
the expediency of employing the surplus, after
the expenses of the Executiire Government are
defrayed, in the construction of military roads,
and other works of national utility. For the
future, no more revenue is to be collected than is
absolutely necessary to meet the public expendi-
ture. The next topic which is touched upon is a
gentle rebuke of the Know Nothings for their
conduct towards emigrant settlers, and in elo-
quent and dignified terms he vindicates the latter's
right under the Constitution and laws to be
placed `on perfect equality with native-
born citizens, and, as he justly remarks,
"In this character they should ever be kindly
" recognised."

If the ground adopted on the foregoing topics
be satisfactory, we have no teason to question
the principles which Mr. BUCEIANAN intends to
make the guide of, his national policy. First
and foremost, he purposes to cultivate an
extended intercourse with foreign countries, as
being that which is best calculated to promote
the happiness of the people, and increase their
power. It is gratifying to hear from the head of
a_great nation, like that of the United States, on his
entering upon office, expression given to the fol-
lowing admirable sentiments :—" We ought to
" cultivateTheace, commerce, and friendship with
"all nations, and this not merely as the best
" means of promoting our national interest, but
"in a spirit of Christian benevolence towards our
" fellow-men, wherever their lot may be cast."
True as these remarks are, what follows is
equally so, and should teach our own rulers a
lesson, the observance of which would tend to
the advantage of the country, lessen taxation, and
thereby render the people more contented and
happy. Mr. 13ucuANAN says :—" We ought to
cherish a sacred regard for the independence
of all nations,.ana never attempt to interfere in
" the domeStic concerns of any unless this shall
"be imperatively required by the great law of
" self-preservation."

Such are the main points of Mr. BUCHANAN'S
inaugural address. They are, on the whole,
satisfactory. From them we may rest satisfied
that many of the fears entertained lest he should
act in the spirit of the Ostend Manifesto--take
the part of slave-owners, and adopt ideas respect-
ing the Central American *dispute, which Eng-
land could not recognise, were groundless. The
main. feature of his address which directly affects
us is the promise that the administration of the
United States for the next four years will be
founded on peace and the extension of coin-

merce.

'A "careful (adherence ito these prin_
pies will ensure beneficial and happy results, both
to the Americans themselves and to the people
of this country.

THE Tories are making a desperate effort-to
monopolize the representation of Liverpool. The
fertile genius of THOMAS BOLD is again at work.
His former election strategies are being brought
into full play,. and not only the candidate but
his supporters have recourse to acts of a most
questionable character.
Our readers will have perceived that Mr. W.
RATHBONE, junior, called the attention of the
Dock Committee, on Thursday, to the reputed
interference of the Dock officials in favour of
Mr. TURNER as one of the candidates for the re-
presentation of Liverpool. Mr. RaTHBoNE's re-
solution provoked a somewhat protracted:and

rather spirited discussion. To the principles
which he laid down there cannot be any reason-
able objection. If the Government authorities
find it to be a salutary regulation to prohibit any
public servant from interfering in election con-
tests, the same rule should apply, and would be
equally wise and expedient if adopted, by local
bodies. There is no doubt but the• Liverpool
dock officials can and do exercise a most impor-
tant influence in any contested election, and

that.the exercise of such influence, irrespective
of the inconsistent performance of their duties,
has a very objectionable tendency, and creates
•
a feeling of among the community. A
public servant, to be really useful and efficient,
must be popular—that is, his conduct and de-
meanour should be 'such as to win the respect
and approval of all with whom he has official in-
tercourse. Partizanship destroys his influence,
and thereby mars the good effect of his otherwise
proper conduct. We, therefore, consider that
the resolution which Mr. RATHBONE intended to
propose was-perfectly legitimate-and well advised,
and are very sorry that he did not press it to a
division. Mr. BOLD rushed into a keen phillipic
against the, simple but truthful asseveration of
Mr. RATHBONE'S motion. He gave the Dock
Committee a foretaste of what the Tories are
doing just now, and put forward, rin 'unmistake-
able terms, the fact that they are moving heaven.
and earth to secure Mr. 'TURNER'S election.