The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-26
THE LONDON TIMES AND THE PRE-.
SIDENT'S MESSAGE.

We had no reason 10 expect that public do
cument which had excited almost a unver-
sal sentiment Of approval in America, should
have met with any other than discourteous
reception IN England reception every way
unlike that which ii has experienced in France.
The journals Of the latter country speak of the
Message in becoming terms; and it was left for
the mawkish sensibility of the English press 10
find fault with It's tone ofmoraity' or 'over-reach-
ing dnimus' "The absence of all censure of the
repudiating States (says the Times) is held 10 be
one of its primary defects The freebootns style
in which il recommends the erection of Ame-
rcan military posts in the Oregon, while The ter
rtory itself is in dispute has given much greater
offence. And the manner in which the President
hints his wishes for the annexation of Texas,
and the hard words he best on Mexico, (from
which tits evident he desires TO proceed, 10 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
lious critics, thai the President wroie his Mes
sage under no expectation that he was to win
American Congress, and to free and unshack-
led People, who have responded to il by an al
most universal expression OF approval. He cares
but little for those spruce and dapper gentry of
England, and least OF all for their ideas of mora
lily If he failed TO express himself upon The
subject of reputation, il 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.
ject We have no doubt bu, that they will pay to
the utiermost farthing, in the end all just debts.
The idea Of repudiating just debt never en-
tered into the American mind. If Mississippi.
the only State, il is believed, where the question
of liability TO pay exists, talks of reputation. il
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 TO possess neither legal
nor moral iorce-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-wirh
them II is a nsre matter OF mOmentaiy inability
to pay but the resolution with their People to
redeem every obligation is as permanently fixed
As any other law of ethics. And who is it tina,
undertakes to read bomiIies 10 an American Pre-
sident upon such a subject Great Britain is the
last Government in the world that should enter
upon such task Who has dream that she can
ever payher debts7 Whatpo on earth can ever
relieve The stupendous load under which she
abors7 She talk Of reputation! Has she notre.
pudiated7 Are her consols evidence of any
thing but repudation-the last desperate effort
Of the bankrupt to compromise with his credi
tors 2 Is not the payment of the entire princi-
pal Of her huge debt repudIated in substance
and in fact Cas- she ever pay III She TO talk
Of honor and good faith to the American States,
aud condemn them as regulators, because Of