Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-12-30
Cook, instead of Stephens.
I No respite was given.
THE PREsIDENT,S MESSAGE.
VICTOR HUGO
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.

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THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
WASHINGTON, Dec. p.
| The Presidents Message has been sent to Congress.
The President after expressing gratitude TO the Amigh
for blessings received throughout the year. refers to the
bloody Harpers Ferry These even
from the apprehension that they but the symp
toms of ncurabe diseaae In the public mind which
may result in still more dangerous outbreaks and termn
ate at last In open war by the North TO abolish slavery
While he himself entertained such apprehensons, they
ought to afford solemn warning to us all, to beware o
the approach of danger.
| He saws, let me implore my countrymen North and
South cultivate their ancient feeling of mutual forbea
and good will toward each other and strive to aay
the demon spirit of sectional hatred and strife alive
In the land This advice proceeds from the heart of an
old public funconary, whose service commenced In the
last generation of the wise and conservative statesmen
that day, but he induges no bloody forebodings. He
thinks the affair of Harpers Ferry will be the
aayng the existing excitement and preventing further
He Hecordiay congrotulaes Congress the final settle
by Supreme Court of the question Of Slavery
the Territories has been established of every
citizen take his property of every kind including slaves
into the territories which belong to the whole cOnfedea
y equally and to have it protected there under the Fed
ernl Constitution Neither Congress the Territorial
Legislature any human power has authority to aunu
impair this vested right Thus has the state of Terri
tory during the intermediate period from its first settle
men until il becomes State, been irrevocably fixed by
the final decision of the Supreme Court of the United
States.
He then describes the mode of admission of Territory
as State into the Union. 1t may be admitted with
without slavery, their constitution may prescribe.
This principle has been recognized in form by the
almost unanimous vote of both Houses of the last Con
gress.
and will continue TO be employed against the slave trade
Our history proves that the fathers of the Republic in the
advance of all other nations condemned the slave trade
Ratcations of the Chinese Treaty have been exchang
ed Two supplementary conventions are, however pend
ing relating to the rights of Americans in China and
transit duties.
Our difficulties withParaguay are satisfactorily adjusted
Our relations with France Russia and all the Continent
al Governments of Europe, Spain perhaps excepted
tnue to be most friendly.
The President recommends that appropriation be made
to meet the demands of the Anstad claimants
His opinion infavor Of the acquisition of Cuba by fair
means remains unchanged and therefore he again invites
the serious attention of Congress to this important sub
1ect
lie had good reasons to believe until recently that he
would have been able to difficulties with
Great Britain finally adjusted in manner honorably
satisfactory to both parties. From causes, however
which Great Britain had not anticipated she had not YET
completed the treaty arrangements with Honduras ant
Nicaragua in pursuance of the understanding of the two
governments. 1t is nevertheless confidently expected
that this will shortly be accomplished.
In relation to San Juan he entertained
no doubt Of the validity of the title. He
was happy to state that what was left to
Gen. SCOTS discretion could not have been
placed in better hands Gen. Scott has
successfully accomplished his mission, and
there was no longer any reason to appre-
hedn the collision Of the respective forces
during the pending of negotiations.
He speaks with regret of the unimproved
condition of affairs in Mexico. He speaks
on the subject at length. Outrages of the
worst description, he says, are committed
on persons and property, and there is
scarcely any form of injury which has not
been suffered by our citizens there during
a few years past. We are nominally at
peace with Mexico, but as far as the inter
est of our commerce and our citizens there,
in any private capacity, are concerned, we
might as well be at war. Mr.. McLane, in
August last, wrote, 81 hope the President
will feel authorized to ask from Congress;
for power to enter Mexico with military for
ces at the call of the Constitutional author,
tiles"
The President adds that he has been re-
luctantly led to the same opinion, and feels
bound to announce this conclusion to Con
gress. He thinks the recent treaty will
Nicarauga cannot fail to be satisfactory
He recommends law authorizing the en-
ployment of naval force for the purpose
of protecting Americans passing by tho
Panama, Nicaragua and Tehauntepec route
He refers to the failure of the PostofficC
appropriation, and recommends the passage
of bill! at the earliest possible day to pay
the amount due the contractors with inter
est, and also to make the necessary appro
priations for the Postoffice department fo
the ensuing year.
In conclusion he recommends to the JUS
liberality of Congress the local interests o
the District of Columbia.