The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

whlch nave ever been submitted 10 congress Wheth-
we consider the gravity of the subjects discussed,
the cleaness and ability of its statements, or the
force of the language employed the Message is des
tined to take the first rank amongst the great papers
which have emanated from the Executive govern
ment. The points of absorbing interest are:
l. A distinct recommendation to Congress to pro-
vide means for the direct purchase of the Island of
Cuba. The array of facts in support of this policy
are absolutely irresistible The government of Cuba
under the management of Spain can entail nothing
but evils upon the people of the island, annoyances
to US, and false hopes to the Madrid government.
That Cuba will sooner later fall into our hands no
sane man can question. Mr.. Buchanan proposes
der the direction Of the law, that Congress shall
provide the means for its immediate purchase by
the United States.
ii. The President proposes armed occupation
of the northern States of Mexico by American troops
for the purpose of maintaining order and to protect
our border Territories.
III. The President suggests the exercise of
special protectorate the distracted republic of
Mexico in order to the integrity of her terri
tory against the Vaccinations of ambitious men.
w. The President asks for authority to employ
the land and naval forces of the United States to
open and keep open the Nicaragua transit route.
v He asserts the principle that we have the
right, by virtue of position as a maritime, com
mercial power on this continent and of our Pacific
and Atlantic interests, to maintain the neutrality of
oil the isthmus passages.
VI. He maintains the necessity of enforcing from
Spain the prompt adjustment of the numerous and
well-grounded claims of our people upon that gov
ernment
1t need not be disguised that these bold declara-
tons will exercise powerful influence over the
great States of Europe. France and England have
already concentrated a considerable naval force in
the Gulf of Mexico and on the coast of Central Amer
lea. Rumors, apparently well authenticated have
attributed to the governments referred to, in
nexion with Spain, special purposes in Mexico. tits,
indeed broadly asserted that the French and Spanish
governments have for along time been direct commu
ncation with the Zuloaga church faction in Mexico
who are struggling to overthrow the constitution
al party. We repeat in this way only public rumor
but in the face of Gen. Casss avowals in his let
ter to Gen. Lamar that the United States asks for no
exclusive transit rights in Nicaragua-that only
demand the opening of the inter-oceanic way for the
common benefit of all the nations-we do not see
the policy which calls for so many French and Eng
lish ships of war in the Central American and
Mexican waters. If those governments have special
objects to accomplish looking to exclusive occupa-
ton and CONTROL they will find in the Message such
explicit declarations on the subject will induce
them, we trust, to change their system of opera
tons.
But suppose it is the intention of the two powers
to assist the Spanish government in Mexico in some
political scheme, looking to the rc-estabshment of
the Queens authority over that republic. That
would be movement backward which would at
once arrest the attention and command the OPPOSE
ton of every American citizen. America can never
again be colonized by the monarchical governments
Of Europe. Nothing is better settled than this. We
could establish fifty protectorates fifty conquess
while the governments of Europe could ordain on
this continent one monarchical establishment
The Message inangurates new policy on the part
of this government which has been forced upon us by
circumstances and which is bold and expressive be-
cause the AngloFrench alliance have just closed all
important controversies in Europe, and now enjoy
season of profound peace. They met in this con-
dtion Of affairs by full declaration of the purposes
of the American people in respect to all those great
international interests which bear upon us in con-
nexion with others.
The Presidents annual message has heretofore been
chiefly occupied in rendering full account of the
operations of our political system, and in discussing
public measures which have engaged the attention
of the popular mind of the nation. In the course of
events, the general economical questions which have
almost exclusively cngrossed the time of the people
much of their importance in view of the successful
operation of existing laws. As we have advanced in
all the elements of internal power, prosperity, and
happiness--as we have risen to the full estate of
manhood and blended our productions with those of
other nations and fulfilled all sanguine prophecies
concerning our progress-our relations with the
chat public attention in our country which had SO
long been devoted to purely domestic affairs It is
not to be disguised, indeed, that our career of
rapid advancement in material wealth and politi-
cal power has excited the jealousy and per-
picked and annoyed the ambition of rival ma
tons We have pointed TO our system as one
of essential industry, exercising political power,
if at all, in subordination thereto. We have