The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-26
THE LONDON TINES AND THE PRE-
SIDENT'S MESSAGE.

We had no reason 10 expect that public do
cument which had excited almost unver-
sal sentiment of approval in America should
have met with any other than a discouIteous
reception IN England reception every way
unlike that which il has experienced IN France.
The journals Of the latter country speak Of The
Message in becoming terms; and II was left for
the mawkish sensibility of the English press 10
find fault with its tone ofmoraly' or 'overreach-
/ ing dnimus' 1.-THE absence of all censure OF the
repudiatng States (says the Times) is held TO be
one of lis primary defects. The freebootins style
in which il recommends the erection of Anne
rcan military posts in the Oregon, while the ter
ritory itself is in dispute has given much greater
offence. And the manner in which the President
hints his wishe. for the annexation of Texas,
and the hard words he bestows on Mexico, (from
which tits evident he desires 10 proceed TO blows
with that lettering Republic has been held to
indicate a very low standard OF moral feeling"
Such are in substance, the commentaries of the
English press. We must say to those over cap
tious critics, that the President wrote his Mes
sage under no expectation that he was TO win
applause from them He addressed it to an
American Congress, and to a free and unshack
! led People, who have responded to 1t by an al
most universal expression Of approval. He cares
but little for those spruce aud dapper gentry Of
England, and least Of all for their ideas of mora
| ly If he failed to express himself upon the
subject Of reputation, II was because he found
no motive to induce him 10 read lectures to the
States on their moral obligations or political du-
ties. They understand thoroughly and perfect
ly what becomes them TO do upon the whole sub
iect. We have no doubt but that they will pay to
the utrermost faubng, in the end, all just debts
The idea of regulating just debt never en-
tered into the American mind If Mississippi
the only State, it is believed, where the question
of liability to pay exists, talks of reputation it
arises solely from the idea, whether well or i'll
| founded we shall not undertake to decide, that
no moral obligation rests with her to pay certain
debts which she deems 10 possess neither legal
nor moral force-debts which she alleges to have
been contracted without authority of law, from
which she has derived no benefit, and which, in
fact, were created in fraud With other States
the doctrine of reputation has no force-with
them it is a mere matter Of momentaiy inability
TO pay but the resolution with their People to
redeem every obligation is as permanently fixed
Is any other law Of ethics. And who is it that
undertakes to read honllies to an American Pre-
sident upon such a subject Great Britainis the
last Government in the world that should enter
upon such TASK Who has dream that she can
ever ayher debts7 What fower on earth can ever
relieve The slupendous load under which she
labors2 She talk Of reputation Has she notre-
pudiated? Are her consols evidence OF any
thing but repudaion-the last desperate effort
of the bankrupt - compromise with his credi.
tors Is not the payment of The entire princi-
pal of her huge debt repudlated IN substance
and in fsct7 Can she ever pay il 2 She TO talk
Of honor and good faith TO the American States,
and condemo them as regulators, because Of