Washington sentinel., 1853-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Our columns this morning are chiefly occu-
pied with the anxiously expected message of
| the Chief Magistrate Of the nation. That i'm
| portant document excludes our usual variety.
The first message of President is his first
specific statement and exposition of his policy.
Inaugural addresses are usually BRIEF loose,
| and general. But when Congress assemblies
and makes a formal call on the Chief Magis-
| trate for those recommendations which the
Constitution renders it necessary and proper
for him to make-they are expected to be pre-
else, definite, and pointed. His opinions are
freely expressed, his line of policy elaborately
sketched.
| From the time Of President Pierce's nomi-
nation at Baltimore-from the 4th of March
last, when his inaugural address was delivered
in the presence of large assemblage OF the
American people, up to the moment of the
| publication of this his first message, we have
| never doubted that his recommendations would
challenge our appreciation and support.
As an independent democratic journal, un-
controlled by all, save ourselves; uninfiuenced
by any considerations but those Of truth, the
Constitution and pure democracy, we have
long since made up our mind to sustain only
what we honestly approve, and to condemn
only what merits condemnation. In this spirit
of independence, candor and frankness, we
come to the consideration Of this the first mes
sage Of the twelfth Chief Magistrate, elected by
the nation.
1t is due to ourselves, however, to say that we
did not see the message-that we were pro-
foundly ignorant of its contents, until the news
boys brought it to our Office. Under such circum-
stances it cannot be expected of us to give it
that elaborate, thorough, and well-considered
investigation and analysis, which so grave and
important document should command. We
shall, therefore, this morning, give a synopsis
| only of it. Compared with some ofthe messages
ofour late Presidents, it is brief-occupying only
seven columns. The style of it is plain and
simple. 1t avoids, and very properly avoids
| all ostentation-all ornamental defamation.
Without the reports of the heads of the re-
spectve departments, which we have not yet
| seen, and to which we will not have access
until they appear in the public prints, it is i'm
| possible for us to do justice to the message. In
many instances the message refers Congress to
the recommendations of the heads of depart
ments, without any specific and special ex-
pressions of opinion as to the subjects of such
reports.
We are pleased to see that the President in
the first paragraph of his message, expresses a
sentiment for which we have lately SO strenu-
ously contended-and which is so entirely in
harmony with the spirit of our people and the
character of our institutions. 1t is rs follows !:
Fortunately, under this system, no man is so
high, and none so humble, in the scale of pub
lie station, as to escape from the scrutiny, or
to be exempt from the responsibility which all
official functions imply"
| After referring to the widespread and de-
vastating pestilence" that left its sad traces
upon some portions of our country" it consi-
ders the subject of our fisheries on the north
eastern coast, and states that until pending
questions between Great Britain and this coun
| try can be amicably adjusted, naval force
has been stationed there to protect American
rights.
The next important question of which it
treats is our relations with Spain particularly
so far as they refer to the islands Of Cuba and
Porto Rico 1t denounces any unauthorized
! expeditions within the United States against
either of those colonies" and promises to bring
all the powers of the government to bear in
suppressing such movements, should they oc-
cur. 1t states that owing to the fact that no
diplomatic intercourse is allowed between our
consul at Havana and the captain general Of
Cuba, injuries done to our citizens by the
& spanish authorities at Havana cannot be re-
eessed BY the present arrangement all COM
paint for such injuries must first be made to
our government and then referred to Spain.
Spain refers them to her local authorities in
Cuba, and postpones her answer until those
authorities have decided. The message states
that, to prevent these delays and perplexities,
a proposition has been made to renew prop
osition heretofore rejected, which provides for
direct appeal for redress to the captain gene
raj of Cuba by our consul. The message does
not say-but we do--that unless Spain shall
decide, and that very promptly, to accede to
this proposition, we should take the matter
into our own hands,
The Koszta case is next treated of, and the
course of the American commander fully sus.
tanned.
An augmentation or notification OF the
army is recommended in order to "adapt it to
the present extended limits and frontier rela-
tons of the country" Not having seen the
report Of the Secretary of the Navy, the sug-
gestions OF which are recommended by the
message, we do not precisely know what they
are, but take it for granted that they propose