American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-12-10
Presidents Message ;
YNOPSIS.

read to day Immediately after the OPEN
ing of Congress, and we give the follow
ing synopsis: 1t commences by con-
graduating the country, and says we
have much reason to be grateful,
when we compare the condition of the
country atthe present day with what
1T was one year ago, at the meeting of
Congress. Much had been done by the
legislation Of the last session to allay
the sectional strife on the subject of
slavery, which was fostered by the APP
plication of Kansas for admission.
1t was we'll established position, that
all American citizens have an equal
right to take into the territories what.
ever is held as property, and to hold
such property under the guardianship
ofthe federal constitution; and the pro
ceedings of the last session alone want
ing to give it effect. Left to manage
its own affairs, all resistance to the
federal government has been finally
abandoned. Had tho citizens been
obedient to the lawful authority, it
would have contained a larger addition
alpopulation. gsucE 500. ~ s-;s..s +
The refusal to vote for delegates to
the Constitutional Convention was the
fruitful source of all the evils that fol.
lowed. A wiser spirit prevailed on
the LIST Monday of January last, and
a large majority of members who were
elected belonged in the party which
had previously refused to vote. Is
The anti-slavery power, thus in tho
ascendant, if the State had admitted
the Lecompton Constitution, the Legis-
lature could have submitted the quos-
ton of amending the constitution to the
people, and tho Kansas question would
thus have been finally settled. His re.
commentator for tho immediate adj.
mission, having failed, he cordially ac-
quiesced in the English Bill. In ac.
cordance with the bill tits not probable
that a third constitution can be law
fully presented to Congress before the
population reached the designated num-
Der; nor is it presumed, they will at
tempt to adopt constitution in viola
ton of an act of Congress. a. ....
By waiting for short time, Kansas
will glide into the Union without the
slightest impediment, and the provision
applied to Kansas ought to be applied to
all the Territories hereafter. Had this
been the previous rule, the. country
would have escaped all the evils to which
it has been exposed by the Kansas
question. Justice requires the establish
ment of this rule, and for these reasons
he recommends the passage of such an
! act. I'd. -" E..-. l.. ~
He regards the present condition of
Utah as q subject for congratulation
The Governor and other officers per-
forming their duties without resistance:
and he recommends the extension of
the benefits of the Land Laws to the
people of Utah. - ...
The result Of affairs in China had
proved the wisdom of the neutral policy
of the United States; and the treaty
which has been made would be submit
ted to the Senate. ~. .r.,
"A new treaty had been concluded
with Japan which would materially
| augment our trade and intercourse in
that quarter, and remove the disabili-
ties heretofore imposed on account of
the religion of that Empire. 1t was
his earnest desire that every misunder-
standing with Great Britain might
be amicably and speedily adjusted
The question Of visitation and search
was settled by the abandonment of
the claim by Great Britain.
a proposition for mutual arran &C.
ment had been submitted, in reply to
which the Secretary of State said the
government was ready to receive any
proposals. lie had formed no opinion
on the subject, but did not believe any
plan could be adopted free Of ombar-
rassment. ..a. ~" ..Ha 90 H.T' l.sa
lie vas sorry the difficulties grow
ing out of the Clayton Bulwer treaty
had not been settled. a final settle
ment he greatly desired, as it would
wipe out the last remaining subject of
dispute. ..lsm .., 0s.-'.ar..
Ourrelations with France and Russia
as we'll as all other governments on
the continent of Europe, except that
OF Spain, continue to be of the most
friendly character. The Spanish Of
hcials having insulted our flag and in.
ilicted injuries on our citizens, and all
attempts to obtain redress having been
bafIlcd and defeated, it was q grievance