The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-03


nor have any intention to interfere with slavery in the
States
THE LONDON TIMES ON THE PRESIDENTS MES
SAGE. y
We give prominence to the suboined article from the
London Times of the marked change OF its tone
towards our country and because of the better knowledge
of our federal system of which evinces
the experience Of nearly four years in present position
had not made fully and painfully acquainted with the
fact that the real relations subsisting between the several
States Of our confederation and their respective relations
10 the federal in connection with the legisla
tive and executive powers of the latter under the constu
ton have been very imperfecy understood by many in
our own country should express surprise at the gno
rance exhibited by the leading British journals those
subjects 1t is gratifying, however, to find that President
Pierce has succeeded in enghtening the editor of the
Times and in extortng from him acknowledgment SO
much at variance with the habitual ignorance and mis-
tation which have filled his columns Perhaps
we ought not to be astonished that Engishmen should
fail to comprehend the true character of ederave
system of government They deceived by reasoning
from analogy They are familiar with the idea of
npotent Parliament and liable to oonfound the powers
of our Congress with those of their Parliament They
equally liable to confound the limited executive powers of
our President with the actual powers of British
arch or, perhaps, properly speaking, of British
ministry But is astonishing that similar should
prevail in our own country We might illustrate this remark
by reference to the doctrine held by the republican
politicians as to the omnpotent power of Congress
the Territories 1t is not pretended that amongst the
enumerated powers of Congress- there is any which
recognises doctrine even more outrageouSly despotc
by En- niao
in the days of the revolution Yet have statesmen of
age and experience daily maintain in both houses Of Con-
gress that the jurisdiction Of Congress over our Terri
tories is supreme and unlimited When like this
are in vogue at home we may well abate some Of our
surprise that Englishmen should not properly compre
bend the relative powers of the federal and State
ments
The editor of the London Times, however has learned
wisdom from perusa of the Presidents message and
sincerely hope that he may hereafter profit by it, II has
been suggested that the improved tone in the Times is the
result of late visit of of its editors to the United
States When it announced that Mr. Delano here
for the purpose of witnessing great presidential
test expressed the hope that he would be taught by the
result that the English journals had been led into serious
of fact and opinion by looking to such papers the
Herald Courier and Enquirer Tribune and Post for true
views Of American policy and American sentiment We
have evidence that hopes have been realized
and that hereafter the relations between the govern
will not be disturbed by that species of msrepre
sentaon and abuse Of country which has been
slant of irritation We hope further that the
sage of President Pierce will continue to be regarded in
England the true exposition of the relative powers of
State and federal governments and Of the powers of the
Executive. 3 S
IN this connection, deem it proper to remark that we
regard the American people being present better
formed to the true nature Of complex system of gov
eminent than they have before BEEN The questions that
have been discussed for several years past have fixed the
popular mind the constitution the great charter of
federal authority and has impressed it with the conviction
that strict scrupuous regard for the rights of the States
is essential to the harmonious and successful working
the system These subjects which President Pierce
has dwet with undisputed clearness decnes and power
in all his messages and when his term of service shall
have expired the chief glory of his administration will be
that be has illustrated in practice well by argument
the beauty and excellence Of federative system in
manifest that British statesmen enabled
comprehend and appreciate it Without further COM
ment and without referring to portions of the article
the Times which might be disposed criticize we
commend it to the attention Of our readers:
1.-THE London Times and the Presidents Aessage Copli-
\ mentary to The United States.
From the London Times of the 18th.
There reflection which must have occurred to most
thoughtful Englishmen after toing through the Presi-
dents message In all history sacred profane there
cus every and then the picture of who had
M that fortune and nearly all that nature could give him
who seemed set high splendid example of material
happiness Intellectual ability, and moral WORTH but
fn Yhom all these gifts were marred by fatal
Eepton Through this single want they all went for
bought and gladly might they have given the whole to
pair this speck of nfelicy We it around Who
would be the Duke of This the Earl of That2 Wkol
would exchange his lowly fortune for the immense rep
pe of hf Soandsofor such ones splendid position or
y Anscendant abites2 Who would be the who com
pines all these but 1t is true that have troubles
Enough in this country England has wants and cares
md anxetes and scandals, enough Straitened
ory huge cities vested interests conflicting classes
abe institutions jealous neighbors, prodigous debt
md her restless ambition conspre to produce very
hekered result She has many drawbacks to her happ
ess that hardly knows which to put FIRST and sure
d States and the mind rises at once takes breath and
Fpands Cheerful company the music of Rossini, spark
Ing chsmpagne-nay even laughing gas, could hardly |
rity which the very atmosphere Of the States
Trough its abored augmentation, its colossal figures
less elevated forms of humanity, you may detect the
bnnent of millions of Sold many more lust
thov,t ho~o