The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-12-31

On Thursday the vote stood for Sherman
l02, Mr.. Scott, of California Dem SO. Mr..
Gilncr H. scattering IL. Necessary to
choice LOG. All is as dark as at the com.
mencement Of the session.
| 1-TOn tuesday last the President sent his
Message to both Houses OF Congrcss. 1t was
read in the Senate, and laid on the table in
the House, till an Organization is effected -
| We give below an abstract of it make up by
The San. which gives good idea of its
contents:
Tie Presidents Message.
A fter a considerable period of anxiety and
several " false alarms the public mind was
relieved yesterday by the delivery of the an.
nual message of the President of the United
States to the Senate, reversing the usual order
of a festival and serving up a very substantial
dish Immediately after the delicacies of the
holiday season As the arrangement has
proved rather convenient to us we shall not
quarrel with it, though we have somewhat of
valid objection to the " false alarms"
The message is well written, as all who
know the ability and experience of the Pres
peculiarly cnmmcndatory quality ofnot being
too long. Most of our citizens will doubt.
less peruse it at length neve,tht.e $, for the
relief of those who would; rather take a syn
optca glance at it. we submit the following:
The President opens his discourse with tie
usual acknowledgment Of the favor of divine
Providence, recognizing the general health
good harvest and prosperity. As this is no
partisan theme we presume there will be uni
versal concurrence in the Presidents view.
The late llarper's Ferry raid is the next
subject of remark. Avoiding details. the
President speaks in general but forcble terms
of the dangerous element of abolition ism in
our public affairs. lie warns the arch-aeit
tors ofthe day of the consequences that may
ensue from their doctrines, and says they
must not be surprised should their heated
partiSanS attempt to carry them INTO pract-
cal effect. Dcprecating disunion sentiments,
he recognizes the peril Of the times, refers to
the value of the Union, the estimation in
which it was held by the earlier statesmen OF
our country, and hopes that the presen. excl.
ted state Of public feeling will result in gene
raj harmony, and the SUPREMACY ofa national
over a sectional spirit.
Congratulation is expressed upon the final
settlement of the question of slavery in the
Territories by the Supreme Court Of the Uni
ted States. 1t is maintained that by this CO.
ordinate branch of the government the right
is positively established for every citizen to
20 into the new territories with or without
slaves as he may elect, aud to ENJOY protection
for his property, should there be at any time
an attempt to deprive him of it or interfere
with him in the possession of it. When a
territory is prepared to apply for admission
into the Union ii must come, in the language
Of the Kansas Nebraska bill, with or with
out slavery, as its constitution may prescribe.
All possible means have been employed to
rel ross the attempt to revive the slave trade,
and inv, stiga,on has proved only the impor-
tation Of The cargo of the Wandcrer. A re.
view Of tie history of the slave trade is enter
cd upon, as it existed under the laws of this
country. and its'total extinction by Congress
recognized and approved. To allow the pres
ont construction ofthc clause in the consltll-
ton, on which it is attempted to question Tie
power Of Congress to prohibit the slave trade,
the President declares would be to make the
clause itself an absolute nullity, and all that
has been done under it mere uSurpation.
The effects of the restoration o. the slave
trade are reviewed at length, and its consc-
quences to master and slave rcgarcd as equal.
ly deplorablc. The inhuman and exhausting
cXactions of labor from the slave in Cuba are
pointed out as the natural consequences of the
ability to supply his place at a low figure
The obligation upon us to consider the effect
upon Africa Is presented, aud the utter extinc-
ton Of all hopes of African civilization is pre-
dicted as the ycopcning the slave trade. BY
aLollshing every market for a lrican slaves
consists the main hope for the gradual i'm
provemtnt ofAirica.
The wisdom Of the course pursued by this
government towards Chira has been vindica-
ted, says the President, by the event. The
course of Mr.. Ward is approved, in refusing
the humillating conditions ofctiqnette deman.
dod. and the result is spoken Of as highly
satisfactory. The treaty has been CONCLUDED
and ratified under favorable circumstances
and no donbt exists that the subsequent con-
vcntions it was necessary to hold will also be
ratified.
The difficulties with Paraguay have been
amicably adjusted, and treaties concluded
with that republic will be submitted 70 tho
Senate. The fitting out Of the naval force il
anticipation Of necessity for its employment
in the waters of La Plata is mentioned, and Il
happy effect in favor ofour country is believed
10 have been produced in that remote portion
fthe world.
Our relations with Spain are briefly adver.
ted to; an appropriation is recommended in
the Admistad case ; and the acquisition Of
Cuba by fair purchase commended 20 the
attention ofCongress.
The President sketches briefly the history
of recent affairs on the Pacific relative to the
San Juan question, which facts have already
been stated. No immediate difficulty is ap.
pretended. Our title TO the island is no,
doubted.
The condition o Mexico, its distracted gov.
crnmenlal authorities, the outragcs perpetra
tcdupon American citizens, and the general
disadvantages which attend upon the present
state of public affairs in that country, consti'
tue considerable portion OF the message. -
The President is reluctantly brought to the
conclusion that the only possible means O
redress to the United States and of real relie
to the Mexican people, Is to enter the territory
with military power equal to the task to bt
performed. lie accordingly asks from Con
gress the authority to do SO with regular
troops or voluntees, or both.
The President asks authority also to en-
ply the naval forces at his command for the
protection Of Amer lean citizens and their
property in transit over the several sthmian
rontes. And also for the protect ion of Amer.
ican merchant vessels, their crews and car.
goes in the ports of Mexico and the Spanish.
American States. The objection hereto fore
urged that such an authority would he n trans.