Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-12-12

'dGydSxy AZ 81 such character n as 70 invite
the most intensive exchanges and free COM
mefcial Intercourse should continue to en-
force ancient and obsolete restrictions If
trade against each other Our commercial
treaty with France in this respect is an ex-
ception from our treaties with all CONNER
cial nations. 1t zealousiy levics discrimi-
mating duties both in tonnage and on arti-
Giles, the growth, produce or manufacture of
the one country when arriving in vessels be-
longing to the other.
With, all other European government ex.
cept that Of Spain our relations are as
peaceful as we conld desire. regret to say
that no progress whatever has been made
since the adjournment of Congress towards
the settlement Of any Of the numerous claims
of our citizens against the Spanish Govern
ment, besides the outrage committed on our
flag by tho Spanish war frigate on the high
seas of the coast Of Cuba, in March, 1855,
by firing into the American mail steamer
Eldorado and OBTAINING and searching her,
remains unacknowledged and unredressed
The general tone and temper of the Spanish
Government towards the United States is
much to be regretted. Our present Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
to Madrid has asked to be recalled, and nv
purpose to send out new Minister to Spain
with special instructions on all questions
pending between the,two governments and a
determination to have them speedily and
amicably adjusted if this be possible
With regard to the China Mission the
President, says: Whilst our Minister has
been instructed to occupy q neutral position
in reference to the existing hostlities ut
Canton, he will cordially cooperate with
the British and French ministers in all
peaceful measures to secure by treaty stipu-
lations those Just concessions to commerce
which the nations of the world have the
right to expect. l entertain no doubt that
the three ministers will act in harmonious
concert to obtain similar commercial trea-
ties for each of the Powers they represent.
Our difficulties with New Grenada, which q
short time since bore so threatening an as
pect are, it is to be hoped, on fair train Of
settlement, in a manner just and honorable
to both parties. With respect to the lsthmus
of Panama, he recommends to Congress. the
passing of an act authorizing the President
in case of necessity to employ the land and
naval forces of the United States to carry
into effect the guarantee of neutrality and
protection. Also recommends similar legis-
lation for the security of any other route
across the lsthmus in which we may acquire
m interest by treaty.
Resp citing the Walker Expedition to Mic
aragua, he says that such enterprises can do
no possible good to the country, but have
already inflicted much injury both to its III
terests and its character. / commend the
whole subject to the serious attention of
Congress- believing that duty and our inter-
quires that we should adopt such measures
as will be effectual in restricting our citi-
zens from committing SUCH outrages
Citizens IF the Uni ed States who are es-
tablished in business in Paraguay, have had
their property seized and taken from them,
and having otherwise been treated BY the
authorities in an insulting and arb itrary man.
ner, which requires demand for these pur-
poses, will be made in firm but conciatory
spirit. This will the more probably be
granted il the Executive shall have authority
to use ether means in the event of a refusal,
this is accordingly recommended. He con-
siders the Kansas question at length, saying
that under the Kansas Nebraska act the
Convention were not bound to submit any
other portion Of the instrument 10 an cleo
ton, except that which relates to the domes-
tic institution of slavery. this will be rem
dered clear by simple reference to its Ian
guage at this election.
Every citizen will have an opportunity of
expressing his opinion by his vote, whether
Kansas shall be received into the Union,
with or without slavery, and thus the excl
ting question may be peacefully settled in
the very mode required by the organic law.
The election will be held under the leyiti-
mate author ity: and if any portion of the
Inhabitants shall refuse to vote, fair on.
portunity to do so having been presented.
this will be their only voluntary act: if they
will alone be responsible for the cons equen-
ccs. Whether Kan as shall be free or
slave State, must eventually, under some
authority, be decided by an election, and the
question can never be more clearly presen-
ted to the people than it is at tho present
Should this opportunity be neg
lected, she may be involved for years in do
lnestic discord, and possibly in civil war
before she can again make an issue now SO
fortunately rendered, and to gain the point
she has already attained. Kansas has for
some years occupied too much public atten-
to far more important objects.
If once admitted into the Union, whether
with or without slavery, the excitement be.
yond our Limits will ~peedily pass away,
and she will then for the first time be left as
she ought to have been long since to manage
her own affairs in her way. If the Constitu-
ton on the subject of slavery or any other
subject be displeasing to a majority of the
people, no human power can prevent them
from changing it within brief period.
Under these circumstances it may be ques-
toned whether the peace and quiet Of the
whole country arc not Of greater Importance
than a mere temporary Triumph OF either OF
the political powers in Kansas, should the
Constitution without slavery be adopted by
the votes of majority.
The rights Of property in slaves nov in
the Territory are reserved. The number of |
these is very small, but if it were greater,
the provision would be equally just and rea-
sonable. These slaves were brought into
the Territory under the Constitution of the
United States, and are now the property of
their masters. This point has at length
been finally decided by the highes: judicial
tribunal of the country, and this when a
Of sovereign states acquire
new territory at their joint expense, but
equality and justice dem nd that the citizens
Of one and all of them shall have the right
10 take into it whatever is recognised IS
by the common Constitution to
have sunmarily coni-cated the property in
slaves already in the Territory, would have
been an act OF gross injustice and contrary
TO the practice of the olde, States Of the
Union which have abolished slavery. Utah
next claims the attention of the President.
Tins is the first rebellion that has existed in
,nr territories, and humanity requires thai
we should put it down in such a manner that
t shall he the last. TO trifle with it would
,e to encourage it and render it formidable.
We ought to 60 there with such an imposing
iorce as to convince these deluded people
hat resistance would be vain. and thus spare
The effusion of blood. We can in this man.