Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-21 00:00:00

THE DAY'S NEWS.

The only news of importance is that relating to
the Message of the President of the United States.
The Message states that the relations between the
United States and foreign governments are gene-
rally satisfactory, and expresses the President
pleased with the termination of diplomatic difficul-
ties with England by the appointment of a British
Minister to that country. The President reviews at
some length the controversy between the Unitel
States and Great Britain relative to Central Ame-
rica, and explains the reason why the Dallas-
Clarendon Treaty, concluded on the 19th of
October, 1856, failed to accomplish its purposes,
which are already substantially known to the
public, and must meet the approval of every one
who desires the permanent adjustment of the
dispute. The President thinks that the difficulty
would have been long since settled, had the
Treaty been abrogated when the misunderstanding
as to its meaning first arose; but he hopes that
friendly overtures recently made by the British
Government—probably alluding to the mission
of Sir Gore Ousoley—may lead to a reason-
able adjustment of the question at issue.
The President regrets that the relations of the
United States with Spain are still unsatisfactory,
and that the claims of American citizens against
the Spanish Government are still unsettled. He
announces his intention to send another Minister
to Madrid, and his determination to settle speedily
all disputes—amicably if possible. Mention is
made of the treaty of friendship and commerce
recently concluded at Constantinople, between the
United States and Persia, and an appropriation
is asked from Congress to cover the expense
of sending a representative to Teheran. The
difficulties with New Granada are announced to b e
in a fair train of settlement, in a manner just and
honourable to both parties. In view of the obvious
importance to America of the neutrality of tae
Isthmus routes, and their protection front
invasion, the President reeommends Congress to
pass an Asst authorising the Executive to employ
the United States naval and military forces, if
necessary, to secure their neutrality. The President
declares it to be the duty and interest of America to
be on friendly terms with the Central American
Republics, and denounces in terms of well merited
severity those lawless filibuster expeditions fitted
out in that country, by which those republics are
made to distrust and dislike them, and the national
character is seriously damaged. The refusal of the
government of Paraguay to ratify the treaty with
America, and the insults offered to the U. S. flag
by order of the president of Paraguay are men-
tioned, together with a recommendation to Con-
gress to grant the necessary power to enforce redress
if it should be refused to amicable nagociation. The
most interesting portion of the Message, however,
i i that in which the President expresses his views on
the Kansas question, with reference, particularly to
the recent action of theL)compton Convention, and
the controversy to which that action has given rise.
The Message presents a calm and minute detail of
events in Kansas since his election to the chief
magistracy of the Republic, and gives his unquali-
fied admission of the right guaranteed to the bona
fide settlers et Kansas by their organic law, " to
regulate their domestic institutions in their own
way." He shows that the election of delegates
to a Constitutional Convention for Kansas, was
held under a law passed four months before
the election was to take place, by the Territorial
Legislature, but in which no provision was
made for the submission of the Constitution
to a popular vote ; that the legality of the Territo-
rial Legislature has been frequently recognised by
Congress ; that if a majority of the citizens of
Kansas does not choose to vote at the election for
delegates ordered by that Legislature, their neglect
does not affect the legality of the action, or of the
acts of the Convention ; and that in the Constitu-
tution framed by the Convention, provision has
been- meths to refer the question of slavery or no
slavery to the people in a fair and explicit manner,
which is all that the Convention were bound to
submit by the terms of the Kansas Nebraska Act.
The President, however, hoped that the Kansas
Convention would have followed the example of
the Minnesota Convention, by submitting
their work to the people, and it was in
this hope that he instructed Governor Walker
in favour of a submission of the Constitution to
the people. The President, however, thinks 'that,
as the only serious question before the people of
Kansas or the country was that of slavery ; and as
the Convention have given the people an opportu-
nity to express their opinion on this question by
their vote, in the manner required bysthe orgah:c
law, it is.in the interest of Kansas, and the entire
Union, that the occasion now offered to settle the
Kansas difficulty should not be let pass; that
there is everything to apprehend and nothing
to hope from rejecting the offered settle?
went now presented, and that the peace and quiet
of the whole country are superior considerations

o the temporary triumph of a political party, the
more so as if a majority of the people disapprove
of any part of the Constitution "no human power
can prevent them from charging it within a brief
period." We entirely share the President's opi-
nion that Kansas has" for some years occupied
too much public attention," and that "it is high
time this should be directed to far more important
objects." The next subject alluded to in the
Message is the rebellious attitude assumed by
Brigham Young in Utah. The acts of
the Mormon chief, end the course pursued
by the United States Government, are
succinctly but forcibly detailed. The es
tablishment of a Territorial government in
Arizona is recommended to Congress ; anal a grant
of land and money to parties who may engage to
construct a military road connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific States, is warmly recommended, as of
great importance, and strictly within the power of
Congress. The President enumerates the various
items of the public revenue and expenditure, and
the amount of the public debt. He also recom-
' mends the adoption of the advice of the Secretary
of the Navy, to build ten small war-steamers of
light draught of water for the coast defences ; ex-
presses his approval of the report of the Secretary
of the Interior, particularly of that part refer-
ries, to the administration of the public lands,
advises a change in the pslicy pursued towards the
Indians, and co:lauds:B his most able Message by
an earnest disapproval of the practice of rushing
important business through Congress at the last
moment, and thus forcing the President either to
sign bills he has not road, or by refusing to do so,
arrest the wheels of government. The President
declares his resolution not to sign any bill which
he has not examined, and urges Congress to allow
the President two days previous to the adjournment
of each session, within which no new bill shall be
presented to him.
The other news of the day is not of much interest
to the general readers. A rather serious casualty
occurred on Saturday morning—the death of three
persons, father, mother, and daughter, by fire or
suffocation. The house in which they slept took
fire and their escape was cut oft. They could
not be rescued on account of what appears to
be -the ineifieient arrangements connected with
the parish engine and fire escape.
As time proceeds the meshes of the diplomatic
net which is to be thrown over the national move-
ment of the Roumans, close in. Perhaps not the
least important symptom, is the sudden change in
the Austrian organs with regard to the F.'uez Canal.
A. short time ago, M. de Lesseps was the man of
the day at Vienna. What has made the Austrian
ministers and j 3urnalists,who in their hearts believe
that the canal would be the greatest blessing that
could be conferred on the commerce of Austria,
suddenly discover grounds for reserve ? If Austria
gives up the project it must bo because she hopes
to get compensation in some other quarter.
Where? Evidently only on the Lower Danube.
The Constantinople mail brings the text of a
third circular of the Turkish Minister on the
question of the Principalities. This document
states that the Sultan wishes to close the Divans,
and assigns the reason. As the circular cannot
have been drawn up later than the early part of
this month, it is quite possible that the decree
closing the Divans has actually been issued at
a later date, as was asserted in some telegraphs.
The news by post from Bucharest itself reaches
to the Bth inst: The Divan had been directly
asked by the European commission whether it
declared itself incompetent to discuss points
of interior administration, before the general
fate of the country was settled. The necessity
of replying to this question had given rise to a
severe contest between the moderate and the
advanced parties, which ended in a small majority
in favour of the former. The radicals demanded
the transformation of the Divan into a constituent
assembly and to take no more heed of what
the European powers might do. Lord Strat-
ford de Redeliffe, whose arrival at Trieste is
announced by telegraph, sold his furniture
and his carriages and horses before he
left Constantinople. Thursday's sitting of the
Belgian Chambers was again devoted to formal
affairs. The returns of all the -members have
passed unquestioned through the scrutiny. The
Danes seem to want their Government to pay
everything they owe. Not conteut with the late
grants for the alleviation of the crisis by their
national representation, they have now applied to
the King to have the reserve fund of the
State applied to the same purpose. The similar
demands made at Stockholm have at last
called forth opposition, and the journal Svenska
Tidningen is just now reading to the merchants a
very useful lesson of political economy. The
ministerial crisis in Spain has passed over, as we
expected, without substantial result. Narvaez, as
well as O'Donnell, will support the Government,
without taking part in it. The expected arrival of
the New American Ambassador, of whom it is
believedahat he will offer to purchase Cuba, greatly
pre-occupies the public mind at Madrid.

THE first " Message" of President BUCHANAN
to the Congress of the United States, will be
found in our columns this morning. At this par-
ticular juncture, it is a document not only of
interest, but of some importance. The chief point
is that relating to Kansas, and, as might be ex-
pected, his Excellency advocates the consti-
tutional character of the Lecompton Convention,
and argues that all its acts are both legal and
valid. In his.address, he gives his adhesion to
the Pro-Slavery party in the South. It remains
to be seen how the Northern section of the
Union, will regard lithe President's sentiments
upon_ this question of vital importance to the
people of the United States. Hitherto, the
subject has been the theme of bitter and acri-
monious discussion, and already symptoms of
dissent have manifested themselves in Conzress,
inasmuch, as Mr. DOUGLAS . had taken the
earliest opportunity of giving notice, that on an
early day he would express his views, and give
reasons why he believed that the people
of Kansas had not been left as
the organic act declared— perfectly free
to form their own institutions in their own way."
Evidently there is a storm brewing, and we may
fully anticipate that the Pro and Anti-Slavery
parties will have a struggle, and, it may be, cause
much trouble to the Administration. From what
has already taken place in the Senate, we may
fully expect that the two sections of the Union
will not abate an iota in the maintenance of their
respective principles. It is the pride and glory
of England that she has set her face against
slavery in every form ; and it must be a matter
of (Lep regret to know that the executive of the
United States should by any official form of
expression give countenance to the extension of
slavery in new territories in the American
Union. It is to be hoped that after the subject
has been well ventilated, that the congregated
wisdom of the Union will favour the adoption of
a course which has for its object the discounten-
ancing of slavery and all traffic in human flesh,
Long have we earnestly wished for the erasure
of that foul-stained blot, which is a disgrace to
the people of the United States, foi., according
to principles which have ever characterised us

journalists, we think that slavery is incompatab
with Christianity, and, if so, must be antagonistic
to the prosperity, happiness, aid civilisation of a
free country.
The next point of moment in the Message
interesting to this country, is the allusion to our
relations with the United States. From the
Message we learn that the negotiations respecting
Central America, are proceeding in a friendly
spirit, but, at the same time, with slowness.
This is most satisfactory, seeing that this matter
has been made the cause of much dispute, and

on more than one ace lsion gave rise among
alarmists for the ground-work of hostilities be-
tween the two countries. America, no doubt,
feels that her best advantage is to act towards
this country in a spirit of peace and amity. In
connection with this important subject, we find
that the WALKER. Expedition is condemned in
strong and emphatic terms, and the President
feels himself called upon to ask Congress for aid
to prevent such evasions of the law in future.
As regards Utah, the President, as might be
expected, condemns the rebellious conduct of
BRIGHAM YOUNG, and asks Congress to send
four additional regiments, to suppress the
rebellious designs of the Mormon settlers.
We have before expressed our reproba-
tion of the principles, practices, and designs
of the Mormons, and recent events have verified
the correctness of the views we then propounded.
If the United States authorities wish to main-
tain pure law and order, the Mormons must
be put down, and all their infamous practices
discopntenanced. Rebellion and blasphemy,
strong and marked, stalks abroad throughout the
territory, and we think nothing will redound
more to the honour of the President and his
Administration than the complete annihilation
of a system which is alike derogatory to
Christianity and humanity. We also observe
that the President remarks that the United
States' authorities in the Chinese waters are
instructed to co-operate with Great Britain in

securing those " just concessions which the
nations of the earth have a right to expect, and
which China cannot be expected to withhold."

So far, this is very satisfactory, and, we hope,
will be carried out to the fullest extent.

The other parts of the Message are also satis-
factory; and we have only to congratulate the peo-
ple of the United States that, with the exception
of Kansas and Utah, everything betokens a fair
and prosperous career before this enterprising
and energetic people.

THE last advices from China inform us tha

the British forces were about to ccmmence
operations against Canton. Lord ELGIN, no
doubt elated with the success of our arms in

India, has become desirous of conducting
another naval, and it may be military,
enterprise against the poer Chinese. Now, we
have ever set our face against the bombardment
of Canton, on account of the Lorcha Arrow Affair.
Nothwithstanding all that has been said and
written upon the subject, and the virulent
speeches delivered on th,3 hustings at the last
General Election, we are still of opinion that
Commissioner YEW is not as much in fault in
the matter as our headstrong and pugnacious
Commissioner at Hong Kong. has never yet
been satisfactorily established that the Arrow was,
de facto, a British craft, and that at the time
-the arrests were made, she showed the British
ensign. If she was not de facto a British vessel,
it matters not respecting the British flag, for in
that case she was sailing under false colours, and
the commander committing the offence of false
pretences. Patting aside all argument upon this
disputed point, we come to notice the mode of
operation which is now about to be adopted by

the British Authorities in China, with Lord
ELGIN at their head.

It will be in the recollection of our readers
that when the appointment of this distinguished
nobleman on a special mission to China was
announced, Ministers intimated that his
Lordship went to the celestial empire to negotiate
a peace, and failing that, to proceed to
extremities. S 3 far this was acceptable to the
people of the United Kingdom. They were not
so enamoured with war and all its concomitant
horrors as to desire to see the powers of Great
Britain directed against a weak and comparatively
defenceless people, and particularly as no small
section of the most wealthy and intelligent
portion of the people regarded the quarrel
in anything but a favourable light. Such
men as COBDEN, BRIGHT, and GIBSON
lost, pro tern, their seats in the House of Commons
for questioning the warlike policy of Lord
PALMERSTON and his colleagues. But every day
shows more clearly the infatuation of the people
at the last general election For every day
more forcibly shows the desire of large and
intelligent constituencies to obtain the parlia
mentary -services of such gentlemen as those
already named.

But what is the special Ambassador to China
about to do ? Does he seek an interview with
the Governor of Canton, for the purpose of
setting forth the complaints which his Royal
Mistress, the Queen of England, prefers against
his Excellency, Commissioner YELI, and to lay
down such terms as will henceforth prevent any
unfriendly feeling between the two countries ?
We regret to say that he does not. Instead of
proceeding at once to execute his mission, he
starts off to Calcutta, holds a Council of War
with that most accomplished, energetic, and
zealous potentate, the Governor-General of
India, and having caught some of the war spirit