Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-12-21
The Message.

The copy oftho Presidents Message which
We published in last weeks issue, was imper.
feet in many particulars, being Transcripts
from the Geographic reports of The Chicago
papers, but We think it sufficiently plain to be
understood. The doctrines and principles
which il embodies are familiar as household
words" to the ranks of American Democracy,
and when couched in lucid terms and with
statesmanlike candor, their context can east
" be gathered, not ~ithstandng the occasional
omissions and garbled junblings Of the tele-
graphic operators.
It will be seen that our diplomatic relations
with other powers are carefully exhibited, anu
while the President recommends an honorable
and peacelovng policy, in the continued pres
srvation Of friendly footing with ALL the
patriotic tenor Of his Inaugural Address per-
meates the entire Message, proving him de-
termined upon the maintenance. inviolate OF a
truly Republican policy, and Of the rights OF
American citizenship. both at home and abroad.
1t is gratifying to learn that our difficulties
With Great Britain are in the course OF speedy
remedy, and especially SO, when we consider
that in the desired consummation OF an AMIGA
BILE arrangement, no compromise Whatever of
eur honor or our pride has beer subrli.ted to.
The Koszta affair is briefly reviewed and
the principle involved and s'aceessfuly carried
out by American oficio'.s abroad is he artily en-
dorsed as leading feature Of our international
creed.
A desire ia expressed that the restrictions I'm
posed upon the navigation Of the river Amazon
by the Brazilian Government be removed
Our Minister is instructed to use his influence
in their removal. which with the more potent
influence Of recent explorations and the genius
of progress, can hardly fail of eventual sue
cess.
The reduction Of the present tariff proposed
by the Secretary Of the Treasury meets the
commentator of the President. and will un-
doubtedly form great feature Of interest dur
tng the present session OF congress-
We wish to call particular attention to that
portion of the Message which bears upon the
subject of Internal Improvements. AS nearly
rs we can learn. the finding Of fault with the
Presidents sentiments in this particulars is now
a secondary matter with the opponents OF the
Administration. They have wasted their
spleen on the literary merits and style OF an
emipently classic state paper. aud have finally
fallen to a denunciation Of the Internal Improv.
ment policy which it embodies. The genuine
jackson spirit which Pierce has continually
syinced in this regard, throughout his whole
po,i,ical career. was made the subject OF the
Interest abuse, and an instrument of the most
malignant opposition, during the late cam
paipn which resulted SO triumphantly in his
election to the White House.
The lessons which repeated experience has
taught him, and which have made unwilling
prosely,es Of SO many Of the most reckless ad-
yocates of iudiscrmnate public expenditure,
are not lost or forgotten, now that the Nation
stands an eager listener to his counsel and
suggestions Let his own words illustrate his
position, and no inference can be tortured from
ahis portion of his Message, suggestive Of an
hostility or even an indifference to the rights q
interests OF the great inland Republic. So far
as he pronounces himself in favor OF the adoP
aion Of some new policy. he bases his opinions
mpon facts and figures alarmingly indicative
of the extravaganza and waste, to which the
old system has ever tended. and far as he takes
stard antagonistc to appropriations, it is al
impartial and digni6ed position, involving
the interests Of the seaboard aud the inland
alike. That some new plan may be adopted
which In The words Of the Message. may be like
,ly 10 be crowned by happier results is the ar
dent prayer Of all. II appropriations OF th'
public lands or public monies are 10 De maze
We 20 in for an impartial bestowal. AS GU
Gems of new and worthy state, equally e2tl
tied with any other TO the patronage oil Govern
ment, we claim its generosity, and advocate
its )ayishment upon ali who may stand in
need. policy should be adopted entirely
the reverse, let that also be impartial, and the
reasonable jealousies of the unfavored be hush
ed in the assurance, that all are served alike.
We make the following extracts ia relation
10 ,his all important subject
The subject of internal improvements. Claim,
;no alike the interest and good Will of all has.
rsyer,heless, been the basis Of much political
discussion. and has stood as deep craven
line of division between statesmen OF emf
nent ability and patriotism. The rule OF strict
construction Oh po"S'S ~ '"s
states 10 the General Government has arrayed
tt.alf from time to time, against the rapid
nrooress Of expenditures from the national
treasury on works Of local character within
the states. Memorable as an epoch in the his
tory Of this subject is the message OF jackson
of The 9th of May. 1880. which met the sys,
tom Of interna, improvements in its compare
siye infancy; but SO rapid Lad been its growth
tha, the projected appropriations in that year
for works OF this character had risen to the
alarming amount Of more than one hundred
millions Of dollars.
In .Lat message the President admitted the
,aifficrity of bringing back the operations OF
lie eoyarnment to the construction OF the con-
stitntion set up in 1898, aud marked it as an
admoni. DRY proof Of the necessity OF guarding
that instrument With sleepless vigilance agains:
The authority OF precedents. which had not the
sanction OF its most plainly defined powers.
Our government exists under written com
o.ct between sovereign States, uniting for spe-
cifc grants to,,their general agent Is. then IN
The progress of its administration. there nave
been departures from the terms and intent
Of The compact 1t is. and will ever be. proper
~ refer back to the fixed standard which our
fathers left us, and to make stern effort 10
couform our action to il. 1t would seem that
The fact of a principle having been resisted
from The first by many Of the wisest aud most