Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-12-18
The Presidents Message

We to-day the publication of this
important document Of our Chief Magistrate,
which has already been borne to almost all
parts of our widely extended territory, and is
now on its way to Europe, if not already re-
ceiyed there. All who have Il desire to become
intimate with the political history of our coun-
try should not fail to read it; fathers should
commend it to the perusal of their sons, and
explain to them or elucidate the various topics
On which it treats.
There is hardly a civilized nation where the
Presidents annual message is not read with
deep interest, and there certainly have been
few if any, more worthy of being spread be-
fore the nations than that Of the present year
1t is a clear, we'll written, well reasoned expose
of our national affairs, sensible and even elo-
quent in setting forth the true policy of our
Government. 1t congratulates the country on
the blessings of general health, abundant har-
vests, the prosperity Of commerce and of indus
trial pursuits of every kind, and the enjoyment
of peace at home and abroad. Our relations
with Cuba form, of course, a very prominent
topic. While the Presidents course on this
subject will perhaps not coincide with the views
of the advocate of .fIibusterism, they cannot
fail to meet the appreciation of the most con-
sentative and we believe the largest portion of
the American people. He regards the incor-
poration of Cuba as a very hazardous measure,
and well remarks that sit might revive those
conflicts of opinion which lately shook the
Union to its centre" The finances of the
country have been prosperous, and the surplus
of revenue over expenditure has to some ex-
tent been applied to the liquidation of the pub
lie debt. He strongly urges the substitution.
as far as possible, of fixed duties in the place
of the present ad raiorem duties. A tariff based
upon the cost Of goods in foreign countries, is
calculated to encourage fraud and perjury, in
asmuch as the only evidence by which the cost
can be ascertained, is the invoice of the impor-
ter, and ifhe chooses to fabricate an invoice and
support it by a false oath, there are no means
of knowing the truth. Frauds in this way
have been committed upon the United States
Treasury to a great extent. The direct ten
dency Of the present system is to rob the gov
and break down the honest importer
by 4 dishonest competition. The sales of the
lands, the survey of the boundary line
between Mexico and the United States, our
Indian affairs, the intentions of the expedition
IN Io,or thn condition md ,ro - Z ri +bo or,,, |
and navy, and other topics of Importance are
presented. The Message closes with
a strong and ELOQUENT vindication Of that poll
cy, which has distinguished this government
from its foundation in reference to the domes-
tic affairs of other nations. Our mission is
lot to force our Institutions upon other ma
ions; to interfere on our part, even when lib
9rty and right are struggling for ascendancy.
nay more likely result in the overthrow Of re-
liberty among ourselves than in lis
establishment in other countries.
This is the last official communication of the
lind which will emanate from the present ex-
'ellent chief of the national government. In
e aving office, Mr.. FILLMORE will have the sat
~sfaction of feeling that, having come into of
ice at a critical period of our history, his ad.
ninistration has been marked with a consci-
:ntious regard for the constitution. He retires
mid general prosperity and peace, and with a
Iame for himself conspicuous among the best
# our public men, and the most honored of
'ur statesman.