Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05
TIE MESSAGE.

We lay before our readers this morning, the
second annual message Of President Pierce,
which was read to the two Houses Of Congress
yesterday. OF course every one will give to it
that close consideration which the importance
of such a paper demands, and compare i with
similar productions from former Chief Magis-
trates.
We have not been able to bestow that care
fnl attention on all portions of the Message
which would justify us in speaking in definite
and distinct terms Of its various points and
features. Indeed, the references which it makes
to the reports of the different Secretaries, re-
qnire that those reports should be examined
before the Message itself can be thoroughly
understood. We therefore reserve for future
occasion any analytic consideration Of that pa
per, or elaborate discussion of the recommend
ations it urges on Congress.
The style Of the message will compare favora-
blywith thatof its predecessors. Many ofits open
ings paragraphs narrate circumstances which
are familiar to the public but the authoritative
character ofthe narrative gives certainty to mat
tiers which, though frequently stated, were yet
regarded with something of doubt and distrust.
We are pleased to notice the firm stand which
the administration has taken with regard to
the proposed suppression Of privateering and
its clear assumption of the responsibility in
breaking up the piratical settlement at Grey
town. We could have wished something more
pointed with regard to France, and something
more distinct and instructive, touching our re-
lations with Spain. But it is probable that the
present attitude of those matters of diplomaey
may require great circumspection and forbid
public notification as to their actual condi-
ton.
An increase of the army and reform Of the
navy are recommended by the President. 1t is
unnecessary for us to say at this late day that
we sustain both of those recommendations
with the utmost heartiness, and will press them
upon the attention of Congress and the coun-
try with all our zeal and ability. We also
read, with great satisfaction, the presidential
Recommendation to reduce the duties on for
| eign imports, although we do not understand
II
the manner in which the Executive would
make the reductions it recommends We
remember very distinctly the plan proposed by
the Secretary Of the Treasury, in his last an
nual Report 1t is one which we could not, as
advocates of Free trade, think of sustaining
before the people.
II is to be hoped, however, that a more
acceptable plan has been matured; and that
the Treasury Department has now prepared
scheme of reduction which will be more in
consonance with the Revenue policy of the
Democratic party. But Of that we cannot
speak until we have an opportunity, of examin-
ing his reports, and of scrutinizing the sche-
dulles which accompany it.
The foregoing remarks have been suggested
by rapid perusal of the message. 1t will be
necessary for us to give more of our attention
to that paper than we have been enabled to do
as yet before we undertake TO speak fully as
TO its merits. We would be unjust both TO
ourselves and to the Administration, If we
commented in haste on paper the Importance
of which demands a careful and candid study,
whilst the Chief Magistracy, from which II
emanates, is entitled TO the highest considera-