The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-15
MESSAGE OF TIE PRESIDENT.

The Message of the President, as compared
with former documents of the kind, is COM
mendably brief and clear, and presents a very
satisfactory view of the foreign relations of
the country and Of its pecuniary interests. We
learn from it that negotiations in regard to the
Fishery Question and Reciprocal Trade with
Great Britain, are proceeding, with fair
prospect of satisfactory result, and that the
Government Of that country has proposed to
settle the embarrassing questions in regard to
Central America by an amcabe arrangement;
that some progress has been made in the dis
cussion of treaty Of commerce with France !;
that friendly relations continue to exist be
tween cur Government and that of Spain !;
and that it i'd reasonable to expect that an
arrangement may be made with Mexico, of
all our difficulties with her, entirely satisiac-
tory, and promising lasting friendship be-
tween the two countries. Judging indeed from
the general statements of the President and
their tone we are not only at perfect peace
with all nations, but likely to remain So
ANONuibS 10 phiu VI ehO iiotbik vi bEtbt
Britain against our progress, of the Africani-
zaton of Cuba, of the dangers of foreign in
terycntion in the affairs of this hemisphere,
or of the sympathies of the United States with
the cause of Freedom in other lands. The en-
tire message is characterized, not only by alb
sOlute neutrality in regard to all foreign con-
hicts but by the absence of any of those
visions of progress, those burning aspirations
to make the great Republic felt in the affairs
of nations, which are 80 fondly indnlged by
Young America In this respect it must
command the appreciation of the most sedate
of our Conservatives.
In relation to affairs at home, the Adjust
ment Measures Of 1850 are referred to, as
having secured the acquiescence of the People
Of the country, and the President has great
deal to say about the pleasures of tranquility
and brotheriy love, diversifying his remarks
with brief dlsqnisitions on the pecuiarities of
our complex system of Federal and State Soy
creignties, and the necessity of strict construc.
ton, with rigid adherence to constitutional
obligations. Enough is said to show that he
still occupies the position on the Question of
Slavery taken in his inaugural but his re.
marks are SO general and indirect. that thew
Will hardly provoke antagonism in any quar-
ter In fact, the Message is without any
! sharp points. 1t would seem az if the Presi
dent did not care to make any issue with any
body.
AS to Tariff, ho recommends, of course
an enlargement of the free list, and suggest
II reduction of duties, so as to bring down tn,
revenue to the wants of the Government. HI
asks Congress to reconsider the whole subiec
of Internal improvements He shows favor Il
the policy Of granting lands in the Territories
to aid in the construction Of railroads. II
recognises the Importance of n great Nations
; Railroad to connect the Atlantic with the Pa
cliic seaboard, and the propricty Of some kin
,, of Congressional participation in such IL worl
As to the nature or extent of this, he ovidentl
either has formed no opinion, or does not dec
, it expedent to express any.
= Ono of the most explicit things in Il
Message il strong recommendation that Co
, grcss should make an appropriation to pay Il
owners of the Spanish schooner Amstad {
the negroes on board of her, who escaped
this country, and were proved to be free,
/. have been illegally seized, and were pronou
:, ced free by our Supreme Court. The recol
a incubation is discrcditable to the Presideu
. Spain onght to be advised that the consta
!. presentation of such a claim is impertinel
s. especially after the Supreme Court of the III
It ted States, mover dereict when the interest
4 Slavery is concerned, has pronounced de-
- sion virtually against its validity.
!, We are sorry to see in the columns Of {
o National Era very yirulent, and, it strikes
Il unwise attack, by one of its foreign corr
y pondepts, on tho Foreign Peace Society and
i efforts We do not believe tho editor of {
! Era has any feeling in common with its G.
r. respondent on this question, and our regret
| that it's extensive circulation is used TO COW
:. to minds, ripe for all good works rs must
/, the readers Of the Era, sentiments of oppo
- ton or even GOODNESS, towards this great mo,
j ment-Ksaosha Telegraph,
IT The Telegraph is perfectly right in assumi
n that We can sympathize with no assaults up
Il the Peace movement or its advocates. No,
~ word would We say to discourage any one
boring in so beneficial cause We look
0. ward to the time when all nations shall
that tho best condition for development a
progress, is Peace and nothing We are su
ly viii contribute more TO hasten that good Q
T. than theo verthrow OF despotism, and the