Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-09
Sl'AUNTON SPECTATOR.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY .. 1855.
5,,,e rresiaent's Message.

The Presidents Message.
To the great surprise the country President
Pierce communicated his annual message, TO
Congress, on the 3Ist ult., without waiting for
the House of Representatives to effect organi-
cation. The uniform course of proceeding hereto
fore has been for the Senate and House, after the
election Of Speaker BY the latter, to send joint
committee to inform the President of their readi-
ness to receive any communication from him.. IL
seems that there is no law prescribing this rou-
tine, but such has been the practice from the es-
tabishment Of the government to the present time.
The act of the President in departing from the
pracceis variously regarded by different persons.
IL his object was merely 10 lay before the country
important information, we see nothing in the act
deserving ceusure out if it was designed as re-
buke to the House for their delay in organizing,
just exception may be taken to it, as an unwar-
rantable interference the part Of the Executive
with the rights and duties of the legislative branch
Of the Government. Nothing in the Message
however, shows that this was intended, and
therefore the fuss and fury exhibited by certain
members Of the House appears unnecessary if not
ridiculous. Mr.. Giddings regarded the course
pursued by the President as an insult to the
House, and Mr.. Dunn of Indiana, denounced it
as ''a great public indceency." A majority voted
to lay the Message on the table, without reading ;
but il is still mooted point whether by so doing
they "receh ed" it in the Parliamentary sense Of
the term. The question was raised in the House
on Wednesday but was disposed of without being
decided
The most important part;of the Message is
that relating to the difficulty between the United
States and Great Britain touching the treaty Of
1850, generally known as the Clay ton Bulwer
treaty. This treaty, negotiated by Mr.. Clayton.
then Secretary ofState of the United States, and
Sir Henry Bulwer, tho British Min ser. stipula
ted that neither Power should ever occupy or eI-
ercise domiaion over any part of Central America,
the British establishment at the Bslize excepted.
Great Britain, however, still continues in the
exercise or assertion of authority in the slusqulio
coast, covering the entire length of Nicaragua
and part of Costa Rca and claims that the treaty
was entirely prospective, and not intended to dis
turb any existing relations. This is certainly no.;
the Interpretation put upon it by the Government
and people of the United States. Immediately
after the reading OF the Message in. the Senate,
Mr.. Clayton arose and declared his full concur
renee in the views Of the President; and Messrs.
Cass, Seward, Toombs and Weller, took the same
ground, exhibiting singular coincidence OF sentI
msnt between politicians who had never befors
come together upon any question. These Senators
were ready to ssser; the Monroe doctrine in regard
to Central America-ihat is, as President Monroe
advised in one Of his annual messages, TO resist
all further acquisitions by European powers of
territory on this continent. One of the principal
routes to California being through Nicaragua, the
United States can never consent that England or
any other nation shall hold the country, with the
power of preventing our use Of the highway. In
view of this question tho President regards the
present position of affairs between the two conn
tries as rather critical and his hope OF an amicabe
adjustment is not so strong as II has been hereto
fore. We shall hear the response of John Bull,
through the London Times, in the course Of
week or wo,-he will doubtless lash his sides
and foam furiously.
For other interesting matters treated Of in the
message we refer the reader to the document it
self. The President concludes with discussion
of the slavery question, in which he takes sides
with the South. 1t has been suggested however,
that his preaching and his practice do not fully
agree, as witness his prescription Of national men
at the North, and bestowal of favor upon Free
sellers.