Smyrna times., 1858-12-09
The Presidents Message.

| Congress convened at noon on Monday, i'm.
I|cdlately after which the Presidents Mesa O E
was received and read. II is a very long docu.
ment, and if published entire, would occupy
about eighteen columns of eur paper. We
therefore can only give a synopsis. showing the
leading points embraced in the message:
The President commences his message bv
expressing gratitude that the sectional strife
which agItated the Union but one short year
ago has, in great measure subsidized He then
proceeds to assert the opinion Of the Supreme
Court, pronounced in the Dred Scott case, that
all American citizens have all equal right TO
take into the territories whatever is held as
property under the laws of any of the States
and TO hold such property there, under the guar
dlanship of the federal constitution, SO long as
the territorial condition shall remain. He re-
ferS to the Lecompton constitution and re.
atfirms his position on that subject and thinks
that if Kansas had been admitted with that con.
stitution the same quiet would have been Sc.
cured at an earlier day. Being perfectly will
ing TO acquiesce in any other constitutional
mode of settlement, he signed Mr.. Engish's
BILL and probably when Kansas again appears
for admission she will have the population re-
quired by that bill. IIe>goes at length into the
subject, and recommends the passage of a gene
raj law, so that no new State should be admit
ted unless she has population sufficient to en-
title her to one Representative.
He congratulates Congress on the settlement
of the Utah affair without the effusion of blood.
He compliments the officers of the army there
and expresses satisfaction with the course of
Gov. Cumming, and honorably mentions Col
Kane.
He congratulatcs the country on the aban-
donment of the right Of search by Great Bril-
tain, and in reference 10 Central America saws
that negotions are still progressing. and he has
not yet abandoned the hope of success. He
refers to what was stated at the last session of
Congress in that convention, and that his views
on the subject of the Isthmus route accord with
the policy heretofore announced by Mr.. Cass.
His only desire is to keep the routes open, and
he desires no privileges for the United States
than we expect other nations to enjoy, but will
not consent that they be closed by the imbecil-
iy of nations which reside near there. lie re-
grets that the Nicaragua route hns been closed
He speaks of the necessity Of enforcing our
claims against Costa Rca and Nicaragua.
He refers to the Importance of The treaties
recently negotiated with China and japan. and
thinks the result in the former case justified our
neutral policy.
The state of a fairs in Mexico is greatly COM
planned of. 1t not for the hope of obtaining
Justice from the Liberals, which now appears
approaching to power, he would recommend
the taking possession OF a portion of Mexico
sufficient to indemnify for all our alarms and
grievances. La the North Of Mexico. border
ing our Territory, there are other consdera.
li0ns which claim attention. We are inter-
ested 10 the peace Of that neighborhood. Law.
less Indians enter our settlements in Arizona,
and there seems no other way that this difficult
~ can be removed. than in establishing militia.
ry posts in Sonora and Chshuahua. lie recon.
mends that this be done, regarding Mexico as
IN a state of lnbecllity and anarchy. AS 10
Spain, lie refers TO the causes which delayed
the appointment of successor to Mr.. Dodge,
and says that Mr.. Preston will 60 out with
powers to settle the difficulties with Spain, if
possble.
He says that Cuba ought to belong to US, and
recommends that steps be taken for its purchase.
AS we acquire all new country by honorable
negotiation, this should not be an exception.
He re-alfirms his former opinions in favor of
specific duties on certa II articles and submits
the whole tariff question to Congress.
He calls attention TO the Pacific Railroad,
and refers to the Overland mails as showing
the practicabiIty Of the route.
Among other subjects he re.terates the re-
commentator to establish Territorial govern
ment for Arizona.