The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-08
The Message in New York.

Whatever differences of opinion may prevail
as to the respective or relative merits of the two
papers, no one can deny that the Herald and
Tribune are two of the best reflectors of popular
sentiment in their section.
The two brief abstracts of the leading points
in their editorials on the reception of the Presi
dents message, will show how that document
takes in that quarter. The Herald is as candid
and the ~ ibune as cool as usual The en-
bodiment of its sectional feeling, in the closing
paragraph of the latter, is worthy of note.
The Herald has carefully read the message,
and confesses that it has been sorely disap-
pointed. 1t had looked for document of a
different character, as well as regards its style
as its contents:
"Mr. Fillmore refers TO the prosperity of the
country The nation is undoubtedly in pros
porous condition, bu, his administration is not to
be thanked for it. 1t is prosperous, and we hope
il will continue So But he certainly might not
be so tame and cold about the subject as he is in
his message. Could he not have drawn pie.
ture of the destiny of the United States, and
have told us something of the future that is
awaiting US!
ain regard to our foreign policy-the subject
which is now engaging public attention--he is
feeble. very feeble He glides over it with the
same facility that skilfnl skaters pass over ice,
for business or pleasure. He was afraid to
dwell upon it, and dropped it as soon as he
could"
The Tribune reviews the Presidents message
and considers that it is not characterized by sig
nal originality Of thought nor vigor of state
hent. Its best point is the abundance Of its
facts, coupled with the general breyity of its
recommendations
"And, while the best characteristics of this
message is the abundance of its facts, its pre-
vaing defect is non,asscrtion, almost non
recognition of principles. All is secondhand
superficial, make.shift, and much is temporzing,
timid, irresolute. Even with regard to our for
eiQn relations, to which so large share Of the
message is very properly devoted, while ITS
statements of facts show a commendable anc-
rity and assiduity in the fulfllment of our obi
cations to foreign powers, the reader is often
befogged with regard to the principles which
have guided the Presidential course. The de-
nuneiation of flibustierism is pretty well ex.
pressed the claim for the United States OF
having led, not followed, other nations in estab.
fishing and enforcing the doctrines of neutrality
and non-intervention is just and happy and for
once the clear enunciation Of a vital principle is
very nearly achieved in the paragraph beginning,
Friendly relations with all, but entapgling al.
liances with none That IL altogether the most
compactly and forcibly expressed of any portion
of the document We are not permitted to
know precisely what the President proposes
TO DO in case the strong arm of foreign
power is isyoled to stno public sentiment and
repress the spirit of freedom in any country, but
the drift of the paragraph Is good
The Tribune inquiries What does the Presi-
dent mean with respect to the right OF search
Does he mean to assert Gen. Cass's indefensbe
doctrine. which Secretary Webster 80 forcibly
cornbated some years ago! The true and ne
cessary doctrine is that the nations of the earth
have common right of police on the high seas
and that duly commissioned national vessel
may stop any vessel Of inferior force, and re gure
her to give an account of herself The language
Of the message in relation to the mineral lands
Of California, river and hsrbor departments
commerce and the tariff, and codi6cauoe OF the
(, statutes Of the United States, is CONNER ded by
the Tribune while it dssents from the recon-
mendation for an increase of the army--pro-
nounces the Naval Academy gross and costly
! humbug-and deeply regrets, with the Presi-
dent the difficulties experienced in Handwriting
I fugitive slaves, and forcing them back into
| slavery.
every uneouupted human soul is naturally
an ally aud accomplish Of the fugitive escaping
! from slavery; anxious that he may not be over.
taken, and ready TO speed and cheer han on his
way. Ten thousand prayers ascend daily in be-
half Of the flying bondman, not one for the sue
Il A = 4
of divinity so totally depraved % to be able
heartily to pray that the pursuer may triumph in
the recapture of the fugitive. Nor does the
President, though he roundly asserts it, produce
one particle Of proof that the Constitution re-
Quires any such enantment as the Fugitive. slave
law, or any such enactment at all on the subject