Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-01-01
%PREsIpENris MEssAGE.

This long looked for Document has at length
made its appearance. Its commendabie brevity
will cause tito be readbya all and each willdoubt-
less draw their own conclusions as to its merits
in other respects. There is nothing in it like an
destinations display Of learning or language $
but It is plain in style, shortin substance and
n%on.committal as to details. We admire brevi-
~. and think that this quality should characterize
every public Document I; but conciseness at;the
expense OF clearness and precision, or when at
tended with the absence of valuable minutia
information, is by 10 means warranted. The
Message omits TO give us any definite
as to the contention between this government and
Great Britain, growing out of her relations with
The Musoui,o King. We think that this is a
matter upon which the Message should have
been full aud explicit, and the President in falling
to give the desired intelligence upon this sub
iect, has. we conceive, failed to discharge his du-
". This omission may be owing TO the factthat
some doctrines, to him rather.delicate, are involv-
ed in the question. What is said about our rela-
tioss with acknowledgements of the inva-
sion of Crba,-our readiness 10 acknowledge the
Independence of Hungary when achieved,
while II may not be as full perhaps as the imPor-
lance OIL IHS SuDltCt "0ub oSNhA
has our sanction as far as it goes. We think
with the President that onrclaims upon Portugal
should be pressed upon tile consideration OF that
government in a more earnest manner, and some
definite understanding speedily attained. we
cannot approve of the course OF the PRESIDENTS IN
allowing the outrage upon the rights
OF this government in the abduction of Rey blythe
Cuban authorities to pass without a prompt de-
mand upon Spain for a proper apology Tor the III
suit offered 10 the nation. With many other re-
Communications and views contained in the Mes
sage we heartily concur. But these views are
mostly in relation to Foreign Affairs, and about
which there is but little difference of feeling
among the people of the United States. When,
however, the Message comes to speak OF our do
nestle affairs, we cannot withhold our unquait-
fed condemnation of it both as to the manner IN
which the subjects are treated and the subject
matter itself. We are opposed to the Presidents
recommendation to increase the expenditures of
the soyernment,-we are opposed TO his recon-
mendation to return TO specific and protective
(oppressive) duties Upon imports in any mod'tl-
cation that may be thought proper in the larin
awe are opposed TO his inferentlal recon-
mendation TO discontinue the independent reasu-
nv system,-we are opposed to his recommends
tions for appropriations towards the extended sys-
tenn Of river and harbor Improvements which ne
has indicated,-and unless the modification re-
commended Ia the present rates OF letter postage
be accompanied with a proposition to allow the
free circulation through the mail OF newspapers
within at least thirty miles of the place OF publ
cation, we could not give it our support. Upon
all these topics we will enlarge in future as &C.
casiou NAY present themselves. Other portions
of 1.-THE Message not here referred to might seem
To sesaire some more specialnotice at our hands.
When more light than that afforded by the Mes
sage is developed, we will then be able to speak
more understandingly upon the subject. Inc
unsatisfactory manner in which some OF the I'M
portant issues and questions involved in our tede-
raj policy are dealt with, shows eithera design
upon the part of the President to remain nom
committed upon them, or a total ignorance as TO
their nature and bearing. He has added to his
Allison letter one other condition for the exercise
of the Veto, and that is, he will use his vetoto
prevent Entertainments by the Legislation shPon
the Executive rights. This is well put int-7
and he may think by this means be will prevent
Congress from obtaining information, as TOMS
policy upon the Musquito question, as tothe cans
es for removing SO many competent officers, and
the demand for more money 10 carry ontne gov
ernment by Wing administration than by a Demo
cratic. We will in due time aytheireports rom
the different heads Of Departments, or snch eS-
tracts from thema as we find of Importance before
our readers. We want this administration TO De
;udaed of upon its merits, by the people them
selves. ~