Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-11
The Message.


In accordance with the requirements OF
the Constitution, the President transmitted
to Congress on the sixth inst. his annual
message. Having received large amount
Of Extras, we have supplied our readers
with them, and have not inserted the mes
sage in our regular issue.
1t is SO common thing to eulogize and
applaud messages, that many may think that
we are only pursuing the plain beaten path,
but the present message Of James Buchan-
an requires something more than passing
notice from our hands, and we do not feel
disposed to withhold it Many have been
the surmises that have been made in rela-
ton to the forthcoming document, and now
that it has appeared, idle curiosity subsidies
into admiration at the power and ability Of
the man at whom SO many vituperative
shafts have been aimed. But we will begin
our synopsis, not hoping to add anything
to it's lustrous lustre, but merely to attract
attention to some of its principal features.
The much vexed Kansas question, Of
which everybody is SO heartily sick, first
demanded attention, and the decided stand
which the president has taken, must con-
firm his friends, and attract his foes. If his
suggestions are followed, Kansas will no
longer afford theatre for ambitious poll
ticians or shrieking demagogues Indeed,
SO clear and lucid is his plan of action, that
it must at once recommend itself to Con-
gress, and shall his suggestions in regard to
| the formation Of future territories be adopt
ed, much trouble, confusion and agitation
may hereafter be avoided.
The next subject which deserves com
mendation, is the happy conclusion Of the
war with Utah. 4Just one year ago, the
| country was thrown into state Of alarm
by the open rebellion Of this territory, IN
der the governorship Of Brigham Young,
but SO prompt and decisive were the meas
ures of the Government, that the insurgents
soon saw that their case was desperate, and
speedily abandoned it. Had a less ene1-
getic spirit been manifested, it is more than
probable that we should have been involved
in a civil war, and presented the disgrace
full spectacle of the greatest government Of
modern times, divided against itself. Nor
does the president withhold the just need
Of praise from his gallant commanders who
have displayed such courage and energy in
fulfilling their missions.
The president announces the interesting
fact that treaty was finally concluded with
China, on grounds highly creditable to our
nation. The search question, which has
been the fruitful source Of so much difficult
ty between this country and Great Britain,
and which has SO nearly involved us in a
war recently, has been finally and peacefully
settled, granting to US all that we could ask,
and leaving no cause or opening for future
embarrassment. There now only remains
one bone Of contention between these two
great nations, viz: the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, and it is earnestly to be hoped that
Congress will take immediate steps to have
this settled Indeed no delay is justifable
in this matter, as delay may bring with it
some disastrous consequences alike to our
selves as to the British Government
| Spain, the last and least Of all the Euro
pean kingdoms, still persistently maintains
her stif-necked position towards US; and
this position involving naturally as it does,
the acquisition Of Cuba, is one Of deep and
vital importance to every American citizen.
That Cuba ought to be the property Of
the United States, no one for moment
doubts, and if the means which the presi-
dent recommends does meet the approba-
ton of Spain, then there remains but one
alternative, and it is one to which though
We may unwillingly resort, will neverthe-
less be the only means Of maintaining and
securing the richest commerce which our ma
ton possesses. We trust that the usual
imbecility of the Spanish Government may
be aroused, and that we may accomplish
this much to be desired object without re-
sort to violence. But should the alterna-
tive happen, we do not doubt that the gov
eminent will meet it promptly.
The affairs of the continents both north
and south seem to have received special con
sideration at his hands, and the recommen-
dation to Congress to seize upon so much o.
the unoccupied territory Of Mexico as will
indemnify the $40, 100000 due US BY that
Government, though something new IN our
policy, will nevertheless be entirely Justlti-
able in view Of the recent outrages to our
citizens, and the total disregard OF all oflts
contracts with us. This course would in
all probability, precipitate us into a second
war with that unhappy country, which IN
its present disturbed state, would no doubt
be hailed with joy by many Of the constl-
tutional party. This, with the affairs Of