The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1859-12-31
The Presidents Message.


This document was read in Congress on |
Tuesday, and appeared in the Chicago pa
pers yesterday. 1t is OF the usual length, |
and would have taken us all last night and
part of to-day to get it in type,-an amount
of labor which the interestan Importance
of the document aside from the excellent
synopsis Of its contents given below, We
thought did not demand at our hands
The recommendations in reference to
Mexico, and the heterodox views of the
President on the slavery question, are the
only points Of the message which will ex-
cite remark, and these had been sufficient
ly foreshadowed by emanations from exc
cutive quarters heretofore to excite no sur
prise. We shall, however, give the docu-
nlent in full in our next. Meantime our
readers, We are sure, will be content with
the following synopsis:
The President, after expressing graft
tude to the Almighty for blessings receiy-
ed throughout the year, refers to the re-
cent bloody occurrence at Harpers Ferry.
These events, bad and cruel in themselves,
derived their chief Importance from the
apprehensions that they were but symp-
TOMAS of an incurable disease in the public
mind, which may break out in still more
dangerous outrages and terminate at last
in open war by the North to abolish slave
ry. While he, himself, entertains no such
apprehensions, they ought to afford So
Tenn warning to us all to be ready for the
approach of danger. He says:
Let me impiore my countrymen, North
and South, to cultivate the ancient feeling
of mutual forbearance and good will to-
ward each other, and strive to aIlay the
demon spirit of sectional hatred and strife,
now alive in our land. The advice pro-
ceeds from the hear5 Of an old public
functionary, whose service commenced in
the last generation of the wise and con-
servative statesmen of that day; but he
INDUCES in no gloomy forebodings. He
thinks the affair of Harpers Ferry will be
the means of allaying the existing excite
ment and preventing further outbreaks
lie cordially congratulates Congress on
the final settlement by the Supreme Court
of the question of slavery in the terrific
ries. The right has been established for
every citizen to take his property of every
kind, including slaves, into the territories,
which belong equally to the whole confe-
deracy, and to have it protected there un-
der the Federal Constitution. Neither
Congress nor the territorial legislature nor
any human power; has any power to annul
or impair this vested right. Thus has the
state of a territory, during the intermedi-
ate period, from its first settlement until
it.becomes a State, been irrevocably fixed
by the final decision of the Supreme Court
OF the United States.
He then describes the mode of admis
sion of Territory as State into the
I b.ao limit tod Nrx
out slavery, as their constitution may pre-
scribe. This principle has been recognized
in some form 10y the almost unanimous
vote of both Houses OF the last Congress
All lawful means at his command had
been employed, and will continue to be
employed, against the slave trade. Gu,
history proves that the fathers of the re
public, in advance Of all other nations
condemned the slave trade
Notifications of the Chinese treaty hav,
been exchanged. Two supplemental con
ventions are however pending, relating t.
the rights Of Americans in China, anc
transit duties.
Our difficulties with Paraguay are salts
factorily adjusted. Our relations witt
France Russia, and all the continental 20
vernnients Of Europe, Spain perhaps eX
cepted, continue to be most friendly. The
President recommends that an appropria
ton be made TO meet the demands OF tn,
Armstead claimants His opinion in favor
of the acquisition of Cuba by fair mean!
remains unchanged Therefore, he AGAR
invites the serious attention OF Congress tC
this important subject
He had good reasons to believe until
quite recently, that he would have beer
able 10 announce orr difficulties witt
Great Britain finally adjusted in manner
honorably satisfactory 10 both pGrties.-
From causes. however. which Great Britain
had not anticipated she had not vet com
rleted the treaty ar:an Gements with Hon
dIrls and Nicaragua. In pursuance Of tiIe
understanding OF the two governments, ii
is nevertheless confidently expected that
this viii shortly be accomplished.
In relation 10 San Juan, lie entertained
no doubt Of the validity Of our title. He
was happy TO state that what had beer
left to 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 APP
preliend the collision of the respective
forces during the pending of negotiations
lie speaks with regret of the unimproveC
condition Of affairs in Mexico He speak
on the subject at length. Outrages of tn
worst description, he says, are committee
on persons and property, and there i
scarcely any form of injury which has no
been suffered by our citizens there durin
a few years past. We are nominally q
peace with Mexico, but as far as the int
rests OF our commerce or our citizens Their
In any private capacity are concerned, W
might as we'll be at war. Mr. McIanc Ii
August last wrote: Il hope the Pres;len
viii feel authorized TO ask from Congress
for power to enter Mexico with militar
forces at the call Of the constitutional al
thorities, in order 10 protect our citizen
and treaty rights Unless such power
conferred upon him, the evils must il
crease &c The President adds: | hav
been reluctantly led to the same opinion
and feel bound TO announce this conclu
sion to Congress. This is a question which
relates to the future well as 10 the pas
and present The all which he require
and which interests all commercial coun
tries, Is that which should belong only t
this government to render, not only b
virtue of our neighborhood TO Mexico, bu
by virtue, also, OF our established policy
which is inconsistent with the Intervention
OF any European power in the domesti
concerns of that republic. and for the REL
sons stated, the Presiden. recommends tn
passage Of n law, authorizing him to en-
ploy such a military force To enter Mexic
for the purpose of obtaining indemnity TO
the future. Should volunteers be selected
such q force could be easily raised in thi
country, among those who sympathise wit
the suiferings of our fellow citizens i
Mexico, and with the unhappy conditio
of that country. Such an accession to tn
forces of the constitutional government
would enable it soon to reach the capital.
He recommends the establishment {
military posts across the Mexican lines i
Sonora and chihuahua, for the protectio
Of the lives and property of American