The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-05

OF TtpeR'ed complaints rom contractors that the
advertisements were published in only one paper,
and frequently in the least conspicuous part Of II.
The Presidents Message.
The Presidents annual message to Congress
is before our readers. 1t is as smooth as oil.
II it does not quiet all the late apprehensions
concerning it, of all the old women in the coun-
try then we must say they are very hard to
please. If we did not know to the contrary,
from his having enlisted in the Mexican war,
and from The bombardment Of Greytown, one
would most naturally conclude, upon the
reading of this message, that Gen Pierce must
be q Quaker. Marcy has triumphed- his peace
policy, for the present, has been adopted out
and-out, aud the programme of the league at
Osiend, controlled by Soule and the Continen-
tel refugees in London, is publicly re. ected.
1t is manifest that there will be no immediate
change in the Cabinet upon the war policy of
Soule and Caleb Cushing-equally manifest
that we shall not get Cuba within the promised
interval of six months"
The message opens with an explanation to
the European Powers of our strongly marked
foreign policy of neutrality, non-intervention,
peace and free trade. Our President, however,
has seized the occasion of the existing Russian
war to secure from the European Powers the
specific recognition of the American doctrine
that free ships make free goods" A treaty
has accordingly been made with Russia, and
some progress has been making to the same
end in Prussia and the Two Sicilies, which is all
roll far ho
speck of war-a small speck-in the
refusal of our Executive to abandon the pri-
watering system in connection with naval ope-
rations against an enemy but with our present
miserably deficient navy, we can have no other
recourse in view Of brush with France and
spain, than the volunteer system Of privateer-
log, which would certainly give us Cuba /" in
less than six months"
Some recommendations follow, touching the
late recipr ocity treaty aud the boundary be-
tween the United States and Great Britain on
the Pacific side. We are next encouraged with
the highly gratifying suggestion that, notwith-
standing all the fuss and trouble between Louis
Napoleon and Pierre Soule, our kindly politi-
cal and social relations with France are not
likely to be interrupted. Another short para
graph places our relations with Spain upon
scarcely less pacific footing, Notwithstanding
the belligerent policy Of our minister there and
a suspicion that the next steamer may possibly
bring us the news of his expulsion from the
country. Mr.. Pierce expects that Soule will
find the new government at Madrid more "fa-
vorably inclined than the preceding to comply
with our just demands and to make suitable
arrangements for restoring harmony and pre-
serving peace between the two countries" We
have here the vague admission that there is q
lack of harm ony. and hint of the possibility of
a rupture; but not the slightest intimation
of the suitable arrangements" required
for the preservation of peace" These ar
engagements may involve the cesson of
Cuba, or fight for it. The reason,
probably, that no more is said about it is, that
the de6nitive policy of the administration may
to Madrid
The Executive favors US with minute state
ment OF the facts touching the bombardment
and burning of Grey Town. He justifes the act
asa measure Of necessity, aud denounces the
place as q "piratical resort of outlaws" and
"a camp of savages." Our impression has
been that the principal property holders Of
Grey town or San Juan were American citi-
zens; but the official information of Borland
may have satisfied the Cabinet that the place
was nothing more than another South Sea
Island Quailah Battoo. The reception Of our
wsrlke minister at the offending village vas
calculated to convince him that the place was a
"camp of ssvages;" bat his information was
Official and the government only acts upon
official advices. Upon one little point though
not recommended in the message, we should
ike TO Sc an investigation ordered by Con-
eress 1t is this: Did not the President of the
United States, 10 this Grey town affair, commi,
an act of war, which, being without the au-
thority Of Congress, renders him liable to i'm
parchment In having thus been guilty Of vio-
lating his oath to support the constitution Did
he not violate the constitution in this act, in
the criminal usurpation of the power exclusively
resting with CoDgress-the power to make war?
Let us have an investigation and report upon
this point. 1t may be useful for the future.
Meantime, the ".strenuous efforts" Of Mr.. Blu.
chanan to settle the affairs OF Central America
have resulted in nothing.
Gen. Gsdsden, it seems, has been laboring
very hard with Santa Anna to secure q settle
ment of various unadjusted demands Of Amer
lean citizens against Mexico. The conclusion
will probably be another Gadsden treaty, ceding
to us another slice Of desert country for pay
ment, End transferring to Congress the liquids
ton o. another profitable catalogue Of Gard
Rer claims
The treasury continues plethoric. Guthrie
has more money than is wanted for all the
wastefol estimates and appropriations Of cur
rent expenses.'s lie has surplus Of twenty
millions. He calls for relief in reduction OF