Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-12-31
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
After considerable period of anxiety
and several false alarms" the public
mind as relieved yesterday by the deliV.
cry Of the annual message OF the PreSl'
dent Of the United States 10 the Senate,
reversing the usual order Of festival and
serving up very substantial dish lmme-
dialely after the delicacles of the holiday
seaSon. As tile arrangement has proved
rather convenient 10 US we shall not quar-.
rel with it, though we have somewhat Of
a valid objection to the "lalse alarms"
The message is well written, as all
who know the ability and experience Of
The President had right to expect, and
it has that peculiarly commentator!
quality of not being too long. Most OF
our ci,izens will doubtless, peruse II al:
length; nevertheless, for the relief of those
who would rather take a synoPuraI glance
al it, we submit the following:
The President opens his discourse with
lhe usual acknowledgment OF tie favor OF
divine Providence, recognizing the gener'
al health, good harvest and prosperity.
As this is no parlizan theme we presume
there will be universal concurrence III tic
Presidents view.
The late Harpcr'S Ferry raid is the next
subject of remark. Avoiding details, tie
President speaks in general but lrtc'bIc
terms Of he dangerous element OF "b"h.
rlonism in our affairs. He warns The arch.
agilaiorS Of the consequences that may
en>ue from their doctrines, and says they
must not be surprised should their heated
parlsans attempt to carry them INTO prar-
lical effect. DepIeca;lng di>unlon senit-
menls, he recognizes the peril OF the
times, refers 10 he value Of the Union.
tie estimation in which il was held by
the earlier statesmen orr country, and
hopes that the present excited stale OF
public feeling viii result in general har'
muny, and the supremacy OF national
over sectional Split.
Congra,uIalion is expressed upon the
Gnal settlement of the question OF slavery
in The Territories by the Supreme Court
Of the Unlcd States. II is maintained
that by this coordinate branch Of The GOV
ernment the right is positively established
Tor every citizen to 90 into the new terri
tories with or without slaves as he may
elect, and TO enjoy protection for his prop
erly, should there be at any time an al
tempt to deprive him of ii or interfere witt
him in the possession Off. When ter
ritory is prepared to apply for admission
into The Union. il must come, IN Tie Ian
guage of the Kansas. \ ebraska bill, "wljll
or without slavery,as its constitution may
prescribe"
All possible means have been emp 10y.
ed TO repress the attempt to revive The
slave trade. and investigation has proved
only the importation of the cargo OF the
WandeIer. A review of the history OF
the slave trade is entered upon, as it exist,
ed under the laws of this cOIntry, and rs
total extinction by Congress recognized
and approved. To allow the present con
struction Of the clause in the constitution,
on which II is attempted to question the
power Of Congress 10 prohibit the slave
trade, the President declares would be tc
make the clause itself all absolute nudity,
and all thai has been done under a mere
usurpalion.
The effects Of the restoration OF the
slave trade are viewed al length, and lis
consequences 10 master and slave regard
ed as equally dePlorable. The inhuman
and eXhaustlng eXactioms OF labor from the
slave in Cuba are pointed out as the natu.
raj consequences of the ability TO supply
his place at low figure. The obligation
upon Us to consider the effect upon Alri'
ca is presented. and the utter extinction
Of all hopes of African civilization is pre-
dicled as the effect of reopeniDg the slave
trade. By abolshing every market foT
African slaves consists the main hope iOI
the gradual Improvement OF Africa.
The wisdom Of the course pursued by
dis government lowarnS China has beer
INDICATED. says the President, by the
event. The course Of Mr.. Ward is ap
proved, in refusing the humilialing condi
lions of etiquette demanded, and the re-
snll is spoken of as highly satisfactory
The treaty has been concluded and rat
fed under favorable circumstances, AM