Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-12-14
The Presidents Message.

Inc uuSSStSOs
The annual Message OF President Buchanan
was sent to most of our readers in the form OF
supplement to the Spectator, on Tuesday last,
and we are relieved of the necessity of inserting
it in the columns of the paper. 1t is very
long and very dry document, and we are hear
tily glad to be rid of it on such terms. A orlel
mention of its leading topics however, may DC
interesting to those of orr readers who have no'
the conrsre TO attack the Message itself.
The President opens with long history OF
the Kansas controversy, and an argument III sup
mort of the Lecompton Constitution, the English
bill, and bis policy generally on this subject
He then cougratuates Congress upon the settle
ment of the Utah difficulties without an etusion
of blood. The Importance of thel treaties re-
Gently negotiated with China and Japan is next
referred to, and the wisdom of our neutrality
with China approved.
The abandonment Of the right Of search oy
Great Britain is alluded to as matter for con-
graduation. Negotiations are still pending with
that country in regard to Central America, and
hope of success is not yet abandoned. In refer
enoe to the Isthmus routes, the President only
desires to keep them open. He seeks no privi-
leges for the United States from which other ma
tions are to be excluded, but he viii not consent
that these routes shall be closed by the imbecil'
ity of the nations which reside near them.
Mexico is alluded to as being in condition
which leaves scarcely any hope of restoration
to permanent government. The President re-
fers to the causes which led to rupture of our
diplomatic relations there, and says if it were not
for the possibility of obtaining justice from the
Liberals, which party now appears to be ap-
preaching to power, he would recommend tax
ing possession of portion of Mexico sufficient
to indemnify us for all claims tor grievances in
the north of Mexico adjoining our Territory.
There are also other matters in this connection
which claim attention. Lawless bands Of In-
dams enter our settlements in Arizonia-Mexico
is powerlesS TO restrain them-and the Presl-
ident recommends therefore that military posts
be established in Sonora and chihuahua. he
eontemplates only temporary occupation OF
portions of those States, but if Brother Jonathan
once gets hold on them there is little proba-
bility of his ever letting go. The plain English
of the proposition is that we help ourselves to a
slice of Mexican territory.
The President speaks of the unsatisfactory con-
dition of our relations with Spain. Mr.. Preston
will so out with powers to settle all the difficult
les, if possible. lie says that Cuba ought to be-
long to US, and recommends that steps be taken
for its purchase. Cuba is the only spot III the
civilized world where the African slave-trade is
tolerated, aud long as that market remains open
there can be no hope for the civilization OF be-
nighted Africa. This desire to extinguish the
"last vestige Of tie African slaye-trade" is very
philanthropic, doubtless, but where is the pur
chase money to come from when our nationa
treasury is exbausted}
The recent commercial CONFUSION is con<id
cred by the Message at some length, and d
heretofore, attributed to the Banks. On the sub
iect of the tariff the President announces sount
Wing doctrine 1t is necessary to increase ou
revenue so as to equal the expenditures, snt
prevent the accumulation of national debt; anC
in doing this the President thinks that no OBJ
lection can be made TO affording such incidenta
protection as will tend to "increase the conf
dence of the manufacturing interests and give {
fresh impulse to business He decidedly pre-
fers specific duties instead of the present al ga
loren system.
The public expenditures daring the the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1858, amounted to $751;
5S5,667.76. The estimated receipts during the
present fiscal year are so, 129, 1885, and The
estimated expenditure, 74,O65, $500. We arc
thus in good condition to give hundred mil
lions for Cuba The public debt on the 1st Of
July amounted to $54,910,7 7?.66.
During the last fiscal year the Post Office De,
partmeut cost more than it earned By some S.,
100000, aud the deficiency this year is estima
ted at $1,000, 900. The Postmaster General re-
commends, therefore, return to the former
postage of five cents upon single letters, the
modification OF the ranking privilege, and that
contractors DO not required to transport the
mails in vehicles.
The President renews his recommendation
that lands and money be contributed by Con-
gress to assist in the construction of Railroad
to the Pacific Ocean.
The Message concludes with narrative OF
the circumstances connected with the capture OF
the SLAYER Echo, &C., &c. As document, says
contemporary, it is more occupied in the reci-
tai of facts than in the PRONUNCIATION of political
principles, and is free, it is just to say, from the
extreme suggestions and belgerent counsels
which rumor, and, in some degree, public ex-
pectation, anticipated
New Trial Granted.