Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-10
THE PREsIDENT,s MESSAGE

In our last issue we briefly referred to this
document, postponing comment until we could
give tia more careful perusal. The favorable
impression, received from first and hasty Pc
rusal, has been fully confirmed by a second
and deliberate reading What it treats of is
presented in manner SO lucid and cogent,
that none can misapprehend and few can differ
from most of the positions taken, whose minds
were not already made up to differ from what
ever might be found in it.
Our foreign relations are presented in
clear, concise narrative, giving such clear in
formation that none need be at loss to deter.
mine on which side right dependencies. The
course of England in the Central American
and in the recruiting matter is treated as it
should be-that is, it shows determination on
the part of England to try how far she may
impose upon our reluctance to have any diff.
Guilty with her. Knowing, as she does, the
love of peace which characterizes this country,
so great, in fact that numerous classes oppose
any war, no matter what the necessity, she acts
upon the supposed assurance that no wrong,
however great, or any aggression whatever, if
not inflicted directly upon our shores or peo-
pie, can possibly induce US to take stand, and
adopt line of activity to vindicate any other
than personal wrongs to our people. 1t may be
a very proper question to determine whether,
towards nation SO presuming as England,
the wise course be not, that she should be
made clearly to understand that rather than
permit her to presume upon our unwillingness
we should determine, in every case, to maintain,
alike by active operations as by resistance or
remonstrance, any encroachments on our rights
and policy. 1t may be much cheaper for our
posterity that we have decisive war or two
with England, fully to impress upon her the
fact, that in no case will she be allowed to dis
regard our rights.
The history of the two nations is but q mar
rative of outrages, and attempted outrages, on
the part of England, and of endurance and re-
monstrance on ours-the sooner these matters
will continue to show the same disregard of our
rights and policy as heretofore.
We may take occasion to give a summary of
her constant course in this respect, there being
scarcely moment, from the days of the Revo-
luton to the present hour, that we have not
had on hand some unadjusted cause of COM
plant on our side, while few or none exist on
the other. Let our people think of these
things.
In regard to State-rights the message speaks
as statesman should speak, looking to the
rights Of all parties under the Constitution, and
properly censuring the course of all who disre-
gard its high behests-the language is clear
and the arguments on this point convincing to
every candid mind.
The message has been received with very
general approval We could quote pages full of
authority, if every one could not for himself,
come to clear conclusion.
The Presidents inaugural and the Presi-
dents message present a rallying ground upon
which all national men can find ample room and
verge enough to stand upon.
The reports accompanying the message con-
tain matter worthy Of consideration, and we
shall take occasion to refer more particularly to
their several recommendations.
The reports of the War and Navy Depart
ments abound with matter for consideration,
and we hope they will receive that full and
candid examination and support to which they
seem so well entitled. They appear to have
been written with an earnest zeal for the well
fare of those branches Of the national defences
over which they preside, and present on broad
liberal grounds the several measures they COM
mend to Congress.
This, for us, may be considered strong COM
mendation, for we have made it rule, an In
exorable rule, to condemn every Presidential
recommendation that we disapprove Of When
we blame, we mean to blame; when we praise,
we mean to praise.