New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-05
THE MESSAGE.

President Pierce's Message is long, but We do
Lot Zee that it could well have been shorter.
Certainly, many Of the topics are treated quite
otherwise than we could have wished, but we do
not see that any of them could have been omitted
or treated much more cODcisely while the two
the Nebraska Act aud the River and HarbOr
yeto-on which the President was likely 30 come
most palpably into conflict with public sentiment
are slid over quickly and easily. On the whole,
the Message embodiei many important facts with
some Just views, and is likely to be generally &C
ceptable. Yet few points seem to require spe-
cal comment.
We do not see how the President can have ex-
pected other Nations aOt to regard with disqui-
letting concern the territorial expansion Of the
{" United States" If our territory expands, some
other Nations territory must be contracted, and
nearly all the European Powers have possessions
which they prize and mean to keep situated with
in the scope Of our graspDg intrigues. The fact,
if fact il be, that these Powers have themselves
acquired islands and provinces By theStrong arm
so far from reconcihng them to our doing like
wise, is strongly calculated to increase their IN
easiness in view of our Vaccinations. IfPres-
dent Pierce had been able to assure them that we
should acquire no land henceforth except through
fair purchase OF amcable fusion" that assur-
az &C might have diminished their disquet; 10 lis
absence, we think he might better have said no.
thing about the matter.
Prussia, it seems, has proposed the abolition of
Privateering in war, which our President rejects
as utterly nadmissible. We regret that such
should have been his view of the matter The
true meliOratiOn of the code Of war, as the Pres
ident suggests, would be attained through the
abrogation of all war whatever upon private
property leaving the peaceful merchant ship to
pursue its way across the ocean unharmed aud
fearless as the stage. coach or raiI.csr on land.
But we believe the abolition Of Privateering-
most merc1ary and prohlgate development of
war-would have fastened the abrogatOn Of all
war on private property, and we regret that our
Government should stand out so prominently as
principal in defeating an important movement
in the right direction.
We heartily second the Presidents suggestion
that the Tights, territorial and commercial, Sc
cured to the British Hudson's Bay Company n
Oregon and Washington Territories, be extin-
suished at the earliest moment. They cannot
fail, so long as they exist to prove source of
trouble and controversy, and We trust they will
be speedily extinguished, il that can be done
amicably and on reasonable terms.
The difficulties with France respecting Dillon
and Soult are touched very ginserly. France s
hard one to bully aud not easy to fight. We
shall have no serious quarrel with her.
Spain is expected to lend more favorable ear
to our demands under the new liberalized regime
than under the corrupt despotism which it dis
placed. We shall see.
The President thinks Denmark may be inclined
to forego the tolls now levied on our vessels pas
sing through the Sound into the Baltic. She GER
tainly should.
The Japan Treatyis, like Canadian Reciprocity,
made theme OF feici.ation; but the President
missed here good opportunity to pay gener'
Gus tribute to his predecessor. Mr.. Fillmore and
his Cabinet are fairly entitled to the credit of that
japan Expedition and its results.
With Mexico, we seem to have always new
troubles brewing. Gen. Pierce talks IS if he sup
posed we must take her in hand again soon. We
hope not. Santa Anna will be az much surprised
"delighted to learn what capital neighbors we
are, ard how promptly and thoroughly we sup
press all Fillibustering expeditions
Gen. Pierce has not succeeded 10 inducing Brazil
to open the Amazon to the commerce Of nations;
20 he tries the effect Of little barney Why does
he not propose to open the Mississippi to all who
see ct to navigate it
We are glad to hear that the President deems 1t
our duty to guard the routes to California across
the Ithmus of DaIisn against all interruption
W. dssnIx rerret thu absence of 6py hsaurance