The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-08
The Presidents Message-Thc Opposition and
the Democracy.

tne oppOSiuOn JOurnals Inulcates tnat the gcnerai
effect will be to confound, bcwilder and disar-
range all their pre-existing schemes and calcula-
tons for the future.
Take, for example, the first shock Of this exc
cutive battery upon our city contemporaries.
The philosophers of the Tribune, shrinking in
dsmay at the tremendous programme before
them, and lifting up their hands in holy horror,
exclaim-"To undertake to refilte, within the
compass of newspaper article, all the sophisms,
Misrepresentation, distortions and positive I'M
truths that are crammed into a modern pro-
slavery Presidents message would be prepos-
ferrous. The best that can be done is to select
few Of the worst and wickedest, and hold them
up to general reprobation.' Then follows the
old Kansas shrieker's rendering of the border
rufiian atrocities" and Executive outrages,"
eliminating in the "Lecompton swindle' and the
English bribe." But this desperate effort to
rekindle the dead embers of the Kansas agita-
ton will not avail in view of the new and living
issues which the message brings into the fore
ground.
Somewhat aware Of this, our "Kansas bleed
ing contemporary, in another article, touches
upon the Cuba question, and gravely declares
that "unless Spain be indeed the basest of Chris
tan nations there is no way to the acquisition of
her ever faithful island except by the sword"
Then, we are told that "the Presidents PROPOSE
ton that money shall be placed in his hands to
| enable him to acquire Cuba is little less than
telling the world that our Executive means to
bride the Spanish court and ministry into selling
| us" the island; 'but if the President does mean
| this, why blurt it out to all mankindT'
Next, the "little villains of the Times in the
outset pronounce the message ''wordy and not
| far from weak and conclude with the improved
| opinion that its suggestions and recommended
| tons are in the main sensible, and will command
the general assent of Congress and the country"
| Apart from this sensible" conclusion the Times
commentary is the merest dshwater solution of
| an overstrained teapot. Those little stock job
bers are completely unlimbered by the heavy
metal of the message. and, like Chinese garri-
| son. they fire at random and run.
The Chevalier Webb, of the Courier, being a
rather slow coach, requires time for dcliberation,
but ventures, nevertheless, promptly to declare
the Kansas record of the message historically I'M
true. The Express, representing the rump of the
| Know Nothing faction, pronounces the Presidents
recommendations concerning Mexico IAN act OF
war;" and "war and annexation in disguise" Last,
and perhaps, least, the Journal Of Commerce. a
free trade and ''free wool' organ of the demo-
crazy, is seriously perplexed with this Mexican
problem, and cannot satisfactorily conjecture the
meaning or the consequences of the Presidents
propositions.
1t is thus manifest that while the opposition jour-
mails Of both the republican and Know Nothing
factions are confused and bcwildered with the
bold and startling positions upon the vital ques-
lions of the day assumed by the President, the
quiet old fogies of the democracy, of the "mas-
terly inactivity" school, are in danger of being
frightened out Of their wits. No doubt the prac-
teal reiteration of the doctrines of the Ostend
manifesto, in the shape of an Executive message
to Congress, will create sensation in the Cab-
nets of London and Paris, and terrible expo-
sion of Spanish dignity and indignation at Ma
drid; but still the President may be right in his
opinion that the time has come when we may
successfully negotiate for the purchase of Cuba
The African slave trade argument of the message
ought to be conclusive with philanthropic Eng
land; and, considering the latest views of the
Emperor Napoleon on the same subject, Mr.. Bu-
chanan may reasonably count upon his co-opera-
ton in that peaceable transfer of Cuba which
this African traffic.
With regard to Mexico, the policy indicated
by the President is entirely justiiable and ex-
pedient Mexico has lost the dignities and the
rights Of an Independent State, as recognized by
the law Of nations She has fallen back into the
condition Of country without a responsible
government and occupied by contending bar
barous tribes, to the prejudice of commerce and
the rights of strangers. She is our immediate
neighbor, and thus it becomes our immediate
right and duty to interpose in her behalf first,
II possible TO restore her to a capable govern
ment OF her own: and. secondly, failing In the
fret Office, to absorb her territories and reduce
her refractory people to law and order under
our own government. We have treated that
distracted and lawless country long enough as
an independent Power; and under her present
condition Of anarchy. the least that we are called
upon 10 do II to establish that military protcc-
toraie over her northern provinces indicated by
Mr.. buchanan, as hostage in the way Of sin
demnity for the past and security for the future
The country will cordially respond to the
President, in reference both to Mexico and Cuba
The opposition, Of all factions and sections, will
doubtless do their utmost to distract the coun-
sells and defeat the wise and salutary purposes Of
the administration in Congress In this view, IL
becomes the paramount duty Of the democratic
party to rally under the programme
Of the Message, for il discloses to
the party broad and open highway
to the succession. We are not sure, however,
that the factious discussions and divisions which.
among the ambitious and rival leaders of the