The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-12-07
The Presidents Message.


President Tyler's annual Message has been be-
fore this community for twenty-iour hours-has
been read by all who read such documents--and
been subjected TO the ordinary amount of criticism
amongst all the politicians, from the Senator TO the
grog-shop loafer. 1t hasbeen generally pronounced
good Message-nay, a capital one; and certainly
il is deserving of much praise in variety OF as
poets There is a tone OF dIgnihed moderanon-oi
unaffected patriotism-and temperate reflection
which do great credit 10 the President, and reflect
commensurate disgrace upon the authors of that
violent abuse with which, from both parties, he has
been assailed ever since he became the lnhabltant
of the White House. We cannot at present enter
into particular detail of the various topics intro
duced, which may properly become subjects of in
vesgation hereafter; but there a few strong
points which are not TO be ssed over withoutpar-
ticular allusion.
First of all, are the views and remarks of the
President in relation to England, Texas and MeXi-
co, embracing the deeply important subjects of the
possession of the Oregon Territory and the Texas
question. The annexation of Texas is not recon-
mended at all, but merely a state of things de-
scrbed within the range of probable occurrence,
and which may hereafter lead 10 more par
ticular examination of the expediency or pro-
prety of that measure. This depends, how
ever, obviously, on many contingencies, and
although the subject may form the ground
OF discussion, yet nothing will be done di-
recty on that point. But by far the most import
ant portion of the Message is that to which we have
not yet seen specific reference-w mean the distinct
recommendation TO Congress TO take immediate
military and civil possession ofthe Oregon Territory,
in all the extent described the property of the
United States. No doubt this will be followed up
by the decided action of both Houses at least
there good reason to suppose so, from the fact that
the former bill passed the Senate. and only failed
10 pass the House from want of time sufficient to
carry 1t through, owing to the lateness of the period
when il was introduced, and the present House
being still more favorably disposed towards than
the former The adoption of the Presidents
recommendation would, it will be at once perceiv-
ed, bring into direct collision with the opinions
entertained on this subject in England The nego-
Citations have been protracted, it appears from the
Message, without any definite result from the eff
forts of the American Minister in London and
now the President proposes to terminate them al
together by taking possession of the territory TO
which England has been endeavoring to exhibit a
Just clam. This, of course, must immediately
lead TO the most important results and thus the
Oregon question takes precedence in point of inter
est and magnitude, over that of the annexation of
Texas, and every other one connected with our
foreign affairs, The country will, however, we
believe, agree with the President, who has, in
our opinion, displayed great deal of sound sense
and Judlcous views Of policy this part of the Mes
sage.
On our domestic concerns the President is
equally sensible practical, and moderate. He has,
as heretofore, brought up the Exchequer plan, and
Id 4
doubt paper currency of fifteen millions founded
on the faith of the government, would be very
useful for time; but the grand difficulty in orga-
nlzng any paper currency under a republican 60
vernment, arises from the impossbility of prevent
ing various additions to il, by subsequent and sue
cesslve legislatures. This we find fully illustrated
in the history of the French Republic. in reaian
its assgnats-in that of the North American colo
nies, with respect TO the continental money; and
that also, OF the last few years. No confidence
can be rcposed in large bodies who have the con-
troll of paper currency. Nothing can prevent its
expansion beyond all proper and practical limits
but the impossibility of adding to it by any other
mode than actual labor. Paper currency has not
this check, but specie currency has. In this
point of view then, the impolcy of the system re-
commended by the President is manifest. Let us,
on the contrary, have sound currency of gold and
sllver-a currency which popular passion, and
rage for speculation neither increase nor di-
mlnlsh-a currency that is regulated by industry
and the regular laws of trade-a currency which
maintains regularity of prices, and ruinous and
continual fluctuations.
So much for the Presidents views OH the cur
rency question.
On the tariff question the President is very
moderate, and appears TO have adopted, to a con-
siderable extent, certain views in relation to the
operation of tariffs, which have, we believe,
been urged and defended only in the columns of
this journal The alterations of prices and values
which have marked the last few years, are very
properly ascrlbed in the Message, more to the in
fiuence OF our bank paper currency than TO that of
the tariff. This is quite correct. But in the an
nunciatlon OF this principle he gives blow to the
whole OF the humbug that has been created out of
The tariff controversy, by Clay, Calhoun, Van Bu-
rem, and the whole batch of them. And never in
any other controversy, never on any other subject
not even excepting Fourerism-has there been so
great an amount OF absurdity, nonsense, visionary
views, and gross humbug, as have been poured out
on this. All evil and all good has been alternately
ascnbed by one or other OF the contending parties
to the mere levylng of duties upon imports, when
II IL perfectly well known-how can il be other
wiss THAT the vitated state of the currency has
exercised a more ruinous influence than could re-
suit from all tine tariffs that were ever created
variety of other topics are alluded TO in the
Message. They will command our notice here
after Those to which we have now alluded. have
been those which have struck most forciby our
attention at this time
On the whole, the Message deserves favorable
and respectful reception from the people Its mo-
deration-candor-pa feeling--and total free
dom from all partlzan views purposes, must COM
mend II to the favorable regard of all but the most
irenzled party bigots. We hope, now that the Pre-
siden has become perfectly convinced of the treach
CIV of hnih Mhlgs and lncnfncos tha. 10 Lii L.