The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-08
The MEssAeE-on the last dav Of the

THE MEssAGE.-0n the last day of the
year 1855, President Pierce, after waiting
four weeks for Congress to organize, sent in
his message to that body, if body it can be
termed. In the Senate it was received and
-ead, and brief speeches approbatory Of it,
made by political foes as well as friends of
the President In the House, the appear
ance of the Message created quite a surprise
and sensation amongst the KnowNothings.
They regarded it as rebuke, for their failure
to organize, and by vote refused to receive
it or allow it to be read, while the truth is,
the President, by the act of communicating
it, extended to them more ciyility and cour-
tesy than they deserved.
The message reached us On Friday even
ing, and we have the pleasure Of laying It
before our readers this week 1t is an
admirable message in all respects-one
which will command general appreciation
and praise from every friend of the Con-
stitution, equal rights, and the Union. We
recommend it to the careful perusal Of every
reader of our paper. 1t is not Know
Nothing production, but contains through
out sentiments of wisdom, of patriotism, and
craftsmanship. Every man, unless he be
an Abolitionist of the higher law" school,
must rise from its percsal with EXPLANATIONS
of admiration for Franklin Pierce its author.
Although coming from free State, in the
extreme North, he is emphatically the Presi-
dent of the whole United States-a nation
al" man in the most liberal sense, and every
way worthy to represent the party which
placed him in the Presidential chair. After
this message, we feel proud that it was our
privilege to vote for Franklin Pierce as
President of the L. States; and the whole
Democratic party may feel a similar graft
fication.
We have no space to-day, for review of
the contents of this model message. On
the slavery questionable great question Of
the day-it contains all that the SoutE
could desire, while it exhibits the affairs of
the nation generally in a prosperous con-
dition. Under Democratic rule, we have
an OVERLOOKING Treasury, and all the essen
tials Of greatness in peace, and power in
war.
Partisan Know-Nothings may attempt to
assail this message. Abuse of Franklin
Pierce is thcir vocation. But we shall be
disappointed Il it does not gain him hosts of
new friends from amongst the liberal, en-
Iightcned, and patriotic of all parties. AL
ready have we seen it eXtOrt praise from
some of his enemies, while others condemn
its mildncss on subjects of complaint against
England. Those who are rash in urging
War, are generally those who stand back
and let others fight the battles after they
have succeeded in involving their country in
all its pcrils and horrors. Thrice armed is
he, whose cause is just - and we trust the
President may continue to use all honorable
effort for peaceable adjustment of any diff
ficulties with England before he recon-
mends hostile measures. The message ex-
hibits enough to show that there is cause
to apprehond another conflict with England;
and if such a calamity is to befal this and
that nation, it must be the wish of every A
merican that his country has not rashly or
without sufficient cause drawn the sword.
The message is already on its way to Eng
land, and we may expect happy results from
its perusal by the people of that country.
KnowNothings maintain that the Presi-
dent has been guilty Of breach of pro-
priety, by sending out his message before
Congress has organized. If Congress fails
to discharge its duty to the country, it af
fords no reason why the President should
fail to discharge his duty. The message is
to inform the people Of the condition Of the
affairs Of the nation. The people are the
sovereigns, and members of Congress are
but servants, although some of them seem
to imagine that they are the whole country.
The People demanded the message, and
they thank franklin Pierce for it.