Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-02-01
Notes and Reflections on the
Presidents Message.

''the Monroe doctrine" the issue-which wa
tneiiher more nor less,) that no foreign gov
eminent shaR be permitted 10 make new &C
quirements on the American continent: 4
doctrine which was avowed by Mr.. Monro'
at the instance Of Great Britain herself, snt
to the support OF which she promised To give
her old. his doctrine we have neither at
frmed nor denied in the article to which the
Patriot objects, nor will it be at all necessa-
ry to do either, until Congress shall either a.
dopt or reject it. As yet, it never has been
adopted by Congress; yea, although the
Patriots party has been in power for twenty
years since Mr.. Monroe uttered the doctrine,
with President and both branches of Con.
gress repeatedly under It's control, il has
nerer adopted Tie Monroe doctrine Now It
strikes US that II is rather ridiculous for the
Patriot to attempt 10 make that the issue
with us, about which we have raised 10 ques.
ton at all nay, an issue which the Demo
cratic party in Congress has never yet rec
ognized. When the time of action comes,
by an abrogatlon Of the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, it is quite probable that the Republi-
cans will stand firmly by the Monroe doc
trne. Such is the position of leading Re-
publican statesman Nv. II. SEWARD now.
It is also probable that the Patriots party
will not stand by it; that it will reject the
al. 4
doctrine that it will reject the common
ground Of nOn-tHieyierenoe, and adopt the
Slavocratic policy of american .7nneraiion.
This, exactly, was what the President sug-
gested--blindly, dimly suggested, we admit.
This was our point. The Patriot lodges ii.
But the Patriot ie grossly wrong in all its
particulars. The Watchman did not confess
to Hartford Conyentlonism did not take
sides with Great Britain and against our
own government-against Jobn,Q. Adams
against Edward Everett against the Mon
roe doctrine-nor even against President
Pierce, so far as the Clayton Bulwer treaty
IS concerned. In all this, the Patriot has, in
very reckless way, manufactured charges
to suit It's own purpose--of, TO speak plainly
manufactured mess Of fibs, which are fiat
ly contradicted by the very article of which
the Patriot complains-thus
"Great Britain now insists that this stipu-
latlon was prospective only, and therefore that
she has tho right TO retain certain privilege
es," &c. "This construction The President
denies and ice haze no doubt ,ighliily. Thus
far all is l0eii, and the President io,A undouLi-
ely be sustained by all parties. Wdtehpinn,
Jan. 10.
Thus distinctly did the Waterman declare
that Great britain was iprong, and President
Pierce right, IN the construction of this
treaty on the Central American question
and 1t was in the face of this plain declara-
ton that the Patriot manufactured its false
hood, and magnI6ed 1t into various particu.
lars, each Of which is alike ialse. This is
enough for us to say, TO demonstrate the ut
ter futillty of the Patriots attack; and now
we call the Patriots attention to the true is
sue, Ito wit that the Presidents message
IN the beginning, contemplated Il policy be-
yond the Monroe doctrine, aud beyond and IN
violation OF the treaty 81 indicating the future
ASSExATIoN OF CENTRAL AMKRIcA aud
in the end distinctly announced the doctrine
of the NoS-ExcLusIoN or SLAVERY by the
Federal Government; thus opening the way
for the annexation of an unlimited amount
OF territory, AS SLAVE rERRIroRY, and ult-
lnotely giving to slave representation pre-
ponderance in the Union. Does the Patriot
question the truth of these positions No
It lodges them. Dare It denounce this mag
nifcent scheme for Overwhelming the Free
States No 1t dare not even admit the ex-
istence Of such scheme. II seeks to hide
its doughy face behind a false issue, and
would divert the Democracy from solemn
truth by burying It under a heap of absul d
lies. We have not denied that the United
States possess an interest in Central Ameri-
ca, growing out of its geographical position,
and particularly its position for great tho
roughfare to the Pacific coast which gives
us a claim superior 10 that of any European
government; but what we do insist is, that
this shall not be made The means of creating
dozen new slave states. WHY does not
the Patriot meet that point? We do not de-
ny the Monroe doctrine; but we do insist
that the Monroe doctrine shall not be used
for the extension of Slavery. Why does the
Patriot conceal this great poiDt of slavery ex.
tenson9 We did charge the President with
contemplating the future annexation Of Cen.
trai America as Sane Territory. Why don't
the Patriot meet the issue manfuliy T? But
we thank the Patriot for its article, with all
Its subteriuges, with all It's ibs-as it gives
US the opportunity for further illustrating the
important question.
The Clayton Bulwer treaty Of 1850 was
not Democratic treaty, but Wing treaty
and while II was based on the Monroe doc
irine, Il opoidedhe slavery question, by provid.
ing that "nsiih:r Great Britain nor the Uni.
ted States shall occupy Central America. -
Now tie policy indicated by President Pierce
was oae independent of this treaty; bas.
ed on our rights growing out Of geogranbi.
cal position, which rights Mr., Calhoun de.
fined TO be annexation m the case Of Tex.
as;-a policy, in 'oord, Of annexation wiih.
Out restriction Of Siavsry. Here is lust the
difference between the Wings Of 1850 and
the Republicans Of 1856, and slayocratic
Democracy. The one would preserve al
our just rights and interests as against for.
eign governments, without INJECTING q
wrong upon our own county. The Other
would make these rights the cover for mon