Southern Argus., 1838-12-25
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


and according to the custom Of Editors, we
now essay to express our views of its merits
and briefly review it. In the first place we
would remark, that perhaps our political biaa
will not allow US to speak of the document
with impartiality, however much we may de-
sire to be candid. 1t is generally the opinion
that politicians strive to misrepresent their op.
ponents. This may be true with some, but
"a true Wing will never be found SO lest to
truth, and the refined courtesies of life, as to
utter falsehoOd in the garb of fact, fact in the
lhablamentS Of falsehOOd, or to attack person
ally, political opponent.
Mr. Van Buren, is acknowledged to be a
very slippery politician, a very cunning and
.uhrewd manager, and generally very averse to
any decided expression of opinion on the great
topics of the day. Ills political changes have
been many, the most prominent Of which are,
first his appreciation of a National Bank, by
petitiOning for branch Of that Institution to
be located at Albany in his native State his
subsequent declaration of his belief that such
an institution was unconstitutional. Second,
his vote in the New York Convention to allow
free Negroes the right of suffrage, and after
wards his promise to veto any bill which might
be passed by Congress, abolishing slavery in
the District Of Columbia. 1t is thus that he
rode into power, and by these twistings and
1urnings he hopes again to elected to the high
station he now fills.
But to the Message. Read it carefully and
without prejudice, and it will be found to a.
IbOmd in hypocrisy and low cunning. AS a
grave State paper, emanating from the highest
officer in the Union, it ie, in some respects,
exceedingly trihlng, and even inferior. in COM
position and style, to tho editorials of village
newspaper. 1t possesses not the simplicity
and flowing diction of the Messages of Mr..
MonrOe--Rot the cool and sound argument of
those Of Mr.. Adams, and lacks, throughout,
the bOldRess and vigor which always charac-
terized the communications of President Jack
son. IL only merit is seeming plausibiltJ,
in which his well-earned character for low
cunning is pretty well sustained. 1t COM
mences with the usual salute to Congress, and
thanksgiving to the Divine Ruler of the Uni
inverse for the blessing, which, as a nation,
we have enjoyed. He then breaches short
---- - a. ~.l;o~t &c o.,- Cor,stStls4ins, ar,ll
relates to us the astounding fact, that it has
existed fifty years, and that although three Ma
tional' Banks have been established under it.
we are still great, free, and independent peo-
pie 1! He tells us next, that we are at peace with
The whole world; that our difficulties respect
ing the Northeastern boundary will soon be
adjusted that our affairs with Mexico are in
! train of settlement, &c. Respecting the
fiscal affairs of the Government, he thinks
that there viii be cash enough to defray the
expenses of Government for the last wear.
which is over THIRTY MILLIONS! He saws
here iS an estimated balance IN the Treasu-s
y Of $2,765,342
That the probable receipt from
the customs, &c. win be 2OOOO,OOO
Treasury notes issued, 100000
Sale Of one of the bonds of the
us. Bank, 3,254,S74
. S33,O2O,2l6
q The probable expenses of the coming year
viii be as great or greater than that of last.
Here is fact for the people to ponder over.
The present Government came into power by
4
the magic effects Of promises Of a reduction
Of the expenditures Of the Government, which,
ten years ago, were only Sl3,OOOOOO.
The President reiterates his favorable Opn-
ION Of the Sub-treasuy system, although he
acknowledges that the Government has lost
an immense amount, by his taeo-legged Sub
treasurers; and by one individual alone, the
small sum of TWELVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS! With such facts staring him in
tlle lace, we are surprised to see him recon-
mending individuals, to take care Of the public
money! while there is in the Union plenty Of
honest Banks that have not the power Of loco
motion, and who have, since the. foundationof
our Goyernmenf, been its fiscal agents. The
President tells US that the State Banks. uDon
ihe whole, are not SO bad as Gen. Jackson
would have ns believe, and thinks thev NAV
g used occasionally, advantageously. For
OF ne late President and those Of MIR. Van
Buren,, we publish, first an extract from Gen.
Jaclsson's letter to the Editor Of the Globe,
and secondly, an extract from the Message be-
loze rs.
From Gen. JacksOn's Letter, dated july 1887,
sThe history Of the world has never re-
corded such BASE TREAcHERY AND PERFIpY as
has been committed by the dep0site banks
against the Government, and purely with the
view Of gratifying Blddle and the Baringa,
ana ~ the suspension Of specie payments, de-
grace emharTass and ruin, if they could, their
own country, for the selfish views Of making
laFge pgonts bY throwing out millions Of de-
ptsc.ateq paper upon the people selling their
t5ele az large premiums, and buying u their
own paper AZ discounts Of from % t6 so Dar
CENTS and now looking f0rwaFa TO Be- inaul5el
n u laese apeculations Tor years to como, beiore
tley resume specie payments"
Frsm M. Van Barsas Message y d. Isss
slt u no more than lust, ii re banks Il
~, tnat N the late emergency. most 81 them
rfniy resisted the strong ts.aplat tion- "a ev1 |
end their paper issues, Whan ansranel,, -.
aimed ID q asiisp8nsion ~ specie bavrept~ -, /
Iub|'c opinion, even though IN some carar
tied bv egislatIga enactnents."
Here isnn issus between two great men.
,lich wo would De pleased % ses recanciled.
Eommendaii0n ID Congress q pass 4 I
" Is punish pAbli1 dellulteras y good. an
IN meet with tie hearty approval Of an
I.In- hnll.. raan.n lnE nriHala nhrnnsaa nf /