Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-13
The Presidents. Message.


that has emenated from the chief executive
for years. We must confess to some degree
of disappointment, not only in its general tone
but also in its matter. Much of il is consum-
ed in an expose of our foreign relations.
These are in a satisfactory condition, it says,
with the exception of Great Britain. Spain,
Mexico and some of the Central American
States. The President processes desire to
see the matters of pending debate with Eng
land adjusted; but fOreshadOws no course by
which this end is TO be attained. He fails to
recommend the abrogatjon of the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, and leaves the immediate set
Element OF our Central American affairs, in
GLIDING the Monroe Doctrine to an arrange
ment between Great Britain and the Central
American powers. His message is wholly
uncertain and unsatisfactory on these sub
jects. His principal object now seems TO mott
fy mankind that the Central American transit
routes shall be open to the United States in
common with the other nations of the earth,
which may have an interest in thens If this
can not be accomplished otherwise, he asks
that the President be invested with power to
use the land and naval forces of the govern
ment to protect the lives, property and gem
eral rights of our citizens 10 an unntcrrupt-
ed passage over them. After the rejection of
the Cas- Yrissari treaty, the failure of Mica
ragua, Costa RIGA and New Grenada, 10 give
satisfactory responses to the demands of this
government growing out of injuries to Amer
can citizens, and after all that has been said
of the Monroe doctrine, and the course of the
British and French governments towards the
United States in respect to the Central Amer
can country, We had right to expect that
the message would have contained. not only
better and fuller statement of our relations
with that region, but more definite sugges-
tons as to the line of policy proper to he pur-
sued by the government in the premises.
With the exception of the transit routes the
country is left in darkness as to the views of
the President. on all those international ques-
tions which have engaged the popular mind
In connection with the isthumus States Of
America.
The acquisition of Cuba is urged with some
degree of oarnestness, partly because it would
obliterate the last relic of the African slave
anu DeCduHe IL WOulu ne vi csScltlhl
service to the commercial interests of this
country. The President contemplates resort
ing to no means to accomplish this acquisi-
ton, not honorable alike to Spain and this
country. He asks that he may be authorized
to conclude negotiations for that object, with
out the necessity Of reference OF the sub
ject again to Congress. We are not vouch-
safed any intimation or information that ne
gotiations are in so advanced state as to
make such grant of power necessary. His
expressions on the immediate subject of a
transfer of the Island, are vague, and leave
the country in ignorance of how far the mat
ter has progressed, or whether, indeed any
step has been taken.
In respect to Mexico, no substantial policy
is laid down, other than that it would be i'm
polite for the United States to permit the in
reference of other nations in her affairs.
Our diplomatic intercourse has been suspend
ed with that country, by the voluntary action
of our Minister, Mr.. FORsYTH, on the follow
ing ground. In May last the government of
Mexico promulgated decree levying pro
rata contribution upon all the capital of the
Republic, between specified amounts, whether
held by Mexicans or foreigners This our
Minister looked upon as a forced loan,'
from which our citizens were exempt by
treaty. He therefore advises his countryman
not to pay it. On the refusal of one of them
to do so his property was seized by armed
men to satisfy the demand, and decree of
Punishment made and enforced against him
for his contumacy The Minister immediate
ly notified the government of suspension OF
intercourse. The President, does not regard
the noxious decree as forced loan" but
does consider it unjust, and hence suStains the
action of the Minister. We apprrhend the
President would find it difficult to sustain this
position, in like affair with any other ma
ton, if it should he resisted or contested.
Aud without other circumstances, the act
would have. in our estimation, been wanton.
unjustifiable and insulting 10 Mexico. The
President recommends psiedo protectorate
over Northern Mexico, embracing the States
of Sonora and chihuahua. He bases it upon
an admixture Of reasons. certainly unique,
and probably without precedent. 1t is claim
ed first that for violations of the treaty OF
Hidalgo, and injuries TO the persons and pro-
perty of our citizens, we have claims on
Mexico TO the amount of ten millions of dol
lars and more which have been laid before
the government but remain unnoticed ana
.unredressed. Hence we should take posses
sion of Sonora and chihuahua, In the nature
of a reprisal. a. q means of enforcing the
payment of our demands. Another reason is
that such a step is necessary to the protection
of our own frontier from the depredations OF
the Indians. Thus the whole subject OF
friendly or legitimate protcctorate over Next
CO, for the mutual adv antaee of both countries
is ignored.
In the elaborate treatment of our foreign
relations. there is nothing very definite or
very pointed in the message. 1t neither ma
terially enlightens the country, nor marks out
q strong and decided policy. There is moth
ing about it above commonplace.
On domestic topics we are inclined to
think the President equally unfortunate.
He is garulous on Kansas and Lccompton,
stating some wholesome truths, but announc-
ing doctrines quite ut variance with just
conservatism. On the Utah war he Is com
placently happy at the peaceful termination
Of the recent belligerent campaign against
the Mormons, and recommends the extension
OF the presumption laws to that country 10y
the establishment OF a land Office. He is elo-
ouent on the revulsion Of 1857. but has evil
IDENTIFY modified his tone as to its causes.
Last year, as We now remember. he attributed
IL mainly to the fourteen hundred and ODD
banks of the country.
Now, in CHANGING at the cause he says
lThis revulsion was felt the more severely IN
the United States, because similar causes had
produced the like deplorable effects through