The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-25

| Retirement Of MIR. Buchanan, and
probable appointment of Gen. Cass -
The Sandwich Islands Business OF
the Session, &c. &c.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec 10th, 1854.
Mr. EDITOR The call on the Presi-
dent for what information he possessed in
regard to the conference of our foreign min
isters-Mcssrs Buchanan, Mason and SOulc
was essentially refused by reference of
the Presidents message to the Com. on For
eign Affairs. The proposition was considered
as of little Importance in itself, butitat first
gained serious consideration by its connec-
ton with the opening Know Nothing dem
onstration on the part of Mr. Sellers, of
Maryland (whig). 1t has since acquired a
more serious character, and is made the ba-
sis of most violent assaults against this adj
mnistration. Greytown, the acquisition of
the Sandwich Islands, the cases of Mr..
Soulc, and the French Consul at San Fran
cisco, are all forgotten in the bitter invec.
tives of the opposition press on this single
point. Then, in all these other instances, we
must take their silence as acquiescence in
the conduct Of the Government as right and
proper
They don't assert that anything wrong was
done in the meeting at Ostend, but they say
-"Give us the information" Those who by
their position can best judge, say that the
publication of the information, at this time,
would materially prejudice our interests
abroad. Their duty, then, requires of them
to withhold it.
How does the matter stand? 1t was
believed from the strength, wealth and de-
termination of the combatants, that gen.
eral, bloody and protracted war had COM
mcnced. Our country was far away from
the scene of conflict, but our commerce,
which visits every cline, swept the neigh
boring seas. 1t must be protected. Uni
ted action for the preservation Of our rights
as neutral was urgently demanded at the
hanas VI our REPRESENTATIVES. Incy uuoncu
to discharge their duty clearly and COM
pletely; and instead of discussing with the
government in written commune atoms, as
they were required to do by their instruc-
tons, they met at a convenient place in the
Netherlands, talked the subject over, and
sent the conclusions at which they arrived
home Surely, then there was nothing in
their proceedings cause for just complaint.
I don't claim that this alone engaged
their attention Other matters may have
been considered, but they had nothing to do
with the object of the conference.
Gen. Cass's friends, notwithstanding the
statements of the Michigan papers, give out
as by authority, that he desires being bro't
forward again as candidate for the Presi-
dcncy. Buchanan, when appointed as min
lister to England. notified the country that
he would only hold his commission for two
years. That time has now very nearly ex-
PRED. and Gen. Cass is spoken Of as Tissue
cessor. While our representative abroad,
years ago, he won the admiration and APP
plause of diplomats by his dignity, modera-
ton of mien, and possessing, besides an i'm
mense fund of general information, Per-
feet knowledge of international law. He
stands high before the world as publicist.
Once there, as our government is in amity
and friendship with the Gar and allies, a
like, he will be sought as peculiarly fitted
to act on its part as arbitrator between the
contending powers. If what is so ardently
wished should happen, and peace be once
more restored to the world it would indeed
be grand conclusion to the long public life
of this veteran statesman
Propositions are pending in both Houses
for the repeal of all duty on foreign coal,
and the repeal or modification of all exist
ing naturalization laws. The first stands a
good chance Of adoption, but the latter will
not be effected, though it will give rise to
angry and fierce debate
By late accounts the Kanakas are enthu
siastic in favor of the annexation of the
Sandwich Islands to the Union. The king
and head chiefs, it is stated, have already
signed the treaty. So the protest and windy
speech of the English Consul 60 for moth.
ing.