Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-05-04
A SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION.

A SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATORS.
In the midst of afl the difficulties which have sur
rounded the Administration Of Mr. Buchanan, it Is
most gratifying to observe the entire success which
has attended his measures. No one subject had en-.
crossed larger share Of the public attention, excl
ted deeper feeling, created greater alsrm, 81 more
fully convulsed the whole cOuntry-threatenng its
peace if not the stability of the government-thar
the difficulties in Kansas. But the firm course Of
the President in indicating the supremacy Of the
laws-exerting to that end all the powers Of his
great office, needless of partisan clamor and intent
only on the performance of his constitutional duty,
in full view of the most appalling consequences
brought order out Of confusion and gave peace and
repose TO that distracted territory He appealed to
reason, sustaining his appeal by adequate military
force to maintain the dominion of law for the public
good, and his policy was successful
When the President came into office, he found the
people of Utah in open rebellion. They had resort
ed to acts of resistance of violence and usTpaton,
until there was left in the territory vesge
of legal authority. The President again, with in
flexible purpose determined at all hazards to restore
the supremacy of the laws. Promptly, at
mtnse distance in spite of infinite difficulty and
barrassment he precpitated strong military force
into the SHOWS of that inhosptable region, and at
the same time extended to the delued and eXasper-
ated people the olive branch of peace. The reign Of
law and order Immediately restored in this case,
as in that of Kansas, without splitting drop of hu
man blood. The firm and decisive but just and
concatory Of the President in both cases,
signaly prevailed
The President, at the commencement of his ad-
minstration found the old vexed question of the
right of search, which had been persistently main
tanned by Great Britain, disturbing, or threatening
to disturb, the relations between the two govern
ments Invoking to his aid principle of the law of
nations that ought never to have been questioned,
which extends the absolute sovereignty Of nation
over the decks of its own vessels raversng the high
under its own flag accompanied by the proper
munments of title, and gives to them the same pro-
lection which is given to the SOIL he presented the
American claim to the British government with a
power of reason and argument which it seemed diff
cult to resist; and when the practice of the assumed
right began to be openly revived in the neighbor-
hood of Cuba, he promptly despatched into those
waters strong naval force of twelve armed vessels,
with peremptory orders to prevent its exercise
thus leading to inevitable collision unless the diff
Guilty should be adjusted The law of nations, as
maintained by our Government, was admitted by
Great Britain the pretended right of search
linqushcd the navy of the United States was put in
the position of defending American ships as it de-
tends American soil and thus has been accorded To
us peaceaby what the war Of 1912 had not been able
to extort.
Another case of difficulty with foreign power
existed, involving an insult TO our flag, cOntumcy
to our government, aud injury to our people. The
property of American citizens had been confscated
the United States ship Water Witch had been fired
into from the fortress of Itapcn hc life Of Amer
lean citizen had been sacrificed, treaty already
agreed to had been abruptly rejected and mission
of peace r;lciy repealed The President appealed to
Congress- and obtained authority to use force to Sc
cure an adjustment of difficulties with the govern
ment Of Paraguay He immediately despatched u
commissioner, supported by powerful feet, COM
prising 10 vessels Of every description, (Which moth
ing in Paraguay could resst.) to demand just and
honorable terms The expedition is now on its re-
turn home, after the most satisfactory accomplish
met Of its otect-all difficulties settled, redress
obtained a treaty negotiated, and the great interior
Of South America opened to our commerce.
On the 4th of March, 1857, China was in the
midst Of her troubles. Intelligence had just been
received that the Barrier forts. four in number,
mounting 176 guns, commanding the approach to
Canton, and among the strongest defences of the
empire, had fired into one Of the boats attached to
our squadron passing up the river under the flag Of
the United States and had been for that offence by
portion of the squadron, captured and destroyed,
and their walks RACED to the ground. This act of
summary retribution, although it had the usual eff
feet of bold and successful measures, well calcu
lated to prejudice relations with China, and in
vOive us in the consequences at least, of the hoSt
tiles in which Eng land was then engaged against
that empire. The President Immediately took meas
ures to increase our naval force on that station by
the addition Of the Minnesota the Mississippi, and
the Germantown, and to send commissioner to
China with instructions to keep clear Of those hos
ttes, and to make treaty. The mission was
trely successful Our pacific relations with that
people were more than preservcd-they were M
proved; treaty was made upon the footing Of the
most favored nations, and the rich treasures Ct the
East have been thrown open to US under the most
favorable auspices
These are some of the results of Mr. 3uchanan's
administration. Should the same brilliant success
follow him to the period which he has fixed for his
retirement it wifi be sufficient to crafty the highest
aspirations o. IN american President ash Cnion.