Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-11
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER II 1850.
PRESIDENTS aiGssAen.

This admirable production will be hailed with pleasure
and read with appreciation by all persons of good taste and
patriotic sentiments Far more elaborate and ponderous
documents have frequently emanated from the Executive
Department ofthe Government, never, will venture
to say, has one chaste concise, clear and unequvo
cal, in style, or marked by wisdom, moderation
and frmness in its views and spirit been addressed an
American Legislature. 1t is evidently the work of a mind
well matured and trained to mastery its opera
TONS and OF heart capacious enough 10 embrace in lis
devotion all the interests Of the country. 1t is 50 brief
that all can find time read it, and plain and directly
to the point that all can understand and appreciaet We
doubt not that its healing influence has already fallen with
most happy effect upon the great majority of the naten
and that 1t will result in promoting, everywhere the cause
of good order, harmony and peace
In relation to the Compromise Measures adopted at the
last session of Congress- Mr. fillmore is careful to avow
himself most explicitly in favour of maintaining them
the last. The frankness with which he defines his posi-
ion on this subject and the bodnes with which he pedg
es hmselfo the law faithfully executed, do permit
us 10 doubt the sincerity of his attachment to the Const
tuition and the Union The Southern States have every
reason to rejoice in these assurances from Northern Pesi
dent because he has in his power to execute the law for
I
any Southern President could do The pride of Northern
auacsm will in all probability, succumb to the lawful en-
OF Federal power, when welded by Northern arm
It is due to the Administration that under the trying cir
cumSances that surround it, every encouragement should
be given 10 its efforts to save the Country by those who
desire its preservation and we cannot doubt that, if the
entire South would rally its support in the present cr
sis, the result would be- hope will be, complete
triumph of the Constitution over every species of opposi
ton 10 its provisions.
The President recommends return to specific duties
imports, instead Of the present fuctuaug and variable
at raorem system, and enorces his suggestion by few
remarks the principle Of incidental protection which
strike us as emueu,y sound and udicous. We would
co to see some permanent system adopted which would
check the excessive fluctuations Of trade and So develop
the industrial resources Of the Country as to make US bet
ter prepared in peace for the exgences Of war In the
presen, Safe of feeling in the South it is plain that cur sec
ton of the Union instead Of suffering by such system
would have all the benefit OF stimulus TO its industry
and enterprise II the South had devoted Of her al
tcation during the last twenty years, to her own manu-
tac,ures instead of wasting her strength in etul cppos-
ton to protective tariffs she would have been in far more
favorable condition than she actually is to dictate terms
other sections of the Country and far better able to assert
that independence to which portion Of her population
pre.
We would, if We had space refer with pleasure 10 sew
oal other topics suggested by the Message, bat o can do
at present than notice the favorable prospect pre-
sons offs continuation of peace between own aud other
countries There not speok Of war in the whole hori
zon The flag that is daily threatened with insult and
degradation by those who enjoy its projections floats still
more proudly on every distant ocean, challenging the re-
spect aud the envy of the world. Mr. FILLMORE will moi
see it prostitued with imPuniy the unhalowed purpo
SEES of foreign adventures, suffer pratica hands
stain its folds.
o.; Nothing Of special interest has yet transpired in
CoNoREss. The Washington Uio" says there seems It
be fixed determination among decided majority of both