The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-07
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
The last Message of President Polk has been
before the people for more than day, and it has
probably received much attention, and been
the topic of as much discussion and conversation,
as has any similar document that has been issued
for number of years. 1t is fully as long as any
that have preceded it /; but long It is, 1t Is
the whole, an interesting document, and rather
curious one, too Its verboseness is overlooked In
the importance of the matters which it treats
upon.
There is one feature observable in this Message
which is rather remarkable, and one which, we
think, is worthy of more than a passing remark.
1t is, that the whole document, from beg inning to
end, is nothing but reflex of the Unions put
forth by the independent press, and particularly
the Ntw York Herald, IN all the matters to which
It refers 1t no less strange than true, that every
opinion put forth in that Message, concerning the
war with Mexico and the acquisition of the terrl-
torres of New Mexico and Calfornla-the effect
On European nations of the brilliant victories
achieved by vounteers-the proof which we
afforded that in physical strength, In the hour of
necessity, republics, and especially the United
States, effective and as powerful as monar-
chies-the probability that the exhibition OF our
power during that war has obviated war with
some European power-all these subjects, we
need hardly inform our readers, have been fully
dilated upon, and the exact views which the Pre-
sident takes those subjects have been, from
time 10 time. enumerated IN the columns of this
journal. Whether 1t Is that we reflect the unde-
veloped ideas OF Mr.. Polk, or he reflects those
which have appeared in the Herald, we shall leave
10 the public to decide.
The most important point in the present juncture
of our affairs, which the President has touched up
on, is undoubtedly the establishment of territorial
urlsdiction over the newly acquired territories OF
New Mexico and California, and the subject of
slavery, as connected Herewith. This Is de-
cIdedly the great question Of the age, as concerns
his country, and one which we desire to see dis
posed Of during the present session of Congress.
On this subject Mr.. Polk recommends a spirit of
compromise, and the adoption of the line Of the
Missouri compromise, on the principle that the
South having spent Its blood and treasure in the
acquisition of that territory, has Its rights In Its
disposition, well as the North In this respect
we fully agree with Mr. Polk; and we further
maintain, we have hitherto maintained, that
this question Of slavery, in connection with our
territories, ought to, and must, be disposed Of
during the present session of Congress. The fact
Is, that the ultra pro-slavery of the South and
the ultra anti slavery men of the North must be
silenced. We have had quite an abundance of their
agitation on this subject; and the people of the
country, the moderate and sensible men of all Sec
lions, without regard to party are desirous Of see.
ing II settled and disposed OF, that the ground
may be taken from under the feet of both sets of
fanatics. They, therefore, look to the present
Congress TO dispose Of It for ever. The question
can be settled by any OF the three modes
pointed out by Mr. Polk; that is, by passing
territorial bills, without reference to the ques-
ton of slavery, but leaving the matter to
the decision of the people; by adopting the Mis-
souri, c umpromise; or by referring the whole SUBJ
iect TO the decision of the United States Supreme
Court. The last mentioned, we think, Is the most
Objectionable way OF disposing OF this vexed ques-
Ton. IL takes the responsibility from the shout
ders Of those on whom II egItimately rests, and
will leave the question subject to revision, discus
siop, and agitation, even after "a decision may have
been rendered by that tribunal. There are other
matters referred to in the Message, which do not
call for any special remark at present, but which
we shall refer to at another time.
On the whole, we approve of the Message, long
as il is; and although it Is tinctured with egousm
throughout, we must say, that il is a good mes
sage, and that II will give general satisfaction to
the American people, as an exposition Of the sf-
fairs and position OF the country, foreign and do
mestc. But important as II Is, as an American
document, emanatlng from the highest officer con.
nected with our government, 1t will be read with far
greater interest In Europe, at the present tins than
{ will be in tie United States 1t will be read. re-
cad by the French people, and republlshed in
ountless numbers by the French papers; and il
will exercise far greater influence there than
il twill here. in this respect 1t is a revolutionary
pronuao,omemto, issued by great nation, the peo.
pie OF which have achieved and enjoy, to the fues
extent, the very rights and privileges which the
great mass OF the European population strug
Cling to obtain. In this relation, the importance
OF the Message cannot be overrated; and that 1t
will help the cause of human freedom In Europe,
there can be no question, we think, In the minds
OF these who have watched the great moral inhu-
ence which this country has exerted on polite
affairs In that part of the world
The CHoLERA.-The cholera at Staten Island
since the report OF the Board of Health of Tues.