The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-12-30

PresiAent's Message
WAsHInGroN, Dss. 27.--The Preaidsnfs
Massage has bssn dslivsrsd to Congress-
The President, after expressing gratitude %
the Almighty for blessings resolved tAroush-
out the ysar, refers to the recent bloodv oa.
currsnce 1t Harper's Ferry. "These evsnss,
bad and cruel in themselves, derive their
chief Importance from the approximations thai
they were but symptoms Of An incurable dis
ease il the public mind, which may break ont
In still more dangerous outrages and termin-
ate at last in open war BY the North 70 abol-
ish Slavery" While hey himself, entertains
no such apprshensions, they ought to afford
. solemn warning 10 us oil to Be ready for
the approach oil danger. He says :sssLet me
impiore my countrymen, North and South,
to cultivate the aneient feeling Of mutual
forbearancs and good will toward each 9TH
or, and strive to allay the demon spirit Of
sectional hatred and strife now alive in our
land" This advice proceeds from the heart
OF an old public functionary, whose service
commenced in the last generation Of the wise
and conservative statesmen Of that day but
he INDUCES in no gloomy forebodings. He
thinks the affair ct HArper's Ferry will be
the means Of allaying the excitement and
prevent further outbreaks.
He cordially congratulates Congress on
the final settlement BY the Supreme Court OF
the question OF slavery in the Territories
The right has been established for every cit
ixen to take his property OF every kind, in
belong equally to the whole Confederacy,
and IA hn n - hn~> ,,cI.~ - IA
erai Constitution. Neither Congress nor the
Territorial Legislature, NOR any human pow
er, has any power, to annui or impair this
vested right. Thus has the state OF Terri
tory, during the intermediate period, from
its first settlement until it becomes State,
been irrevocably fixed by tho final dscision
OF the Supreme Court Of the Uniter 8 ssNa.
He then describes the mode OF admission
Of Territory a. State into the Union. Ii
may be admitted with or without slavery, 40
their Constitution may prescribe. This
principle has been recognised in some form
by tho almost unanimous vote Of both Houses
of tho last Congress.
All lawful means % his command had
been employed, and will continue to be EN-.
ployed against the slave trade. Our history
proves that the fathers Of the Republic, ia
advance OF ell other nations, condemned the
slave trade.
Characterization Oh the Chinese trea-
~ have been exchanged. Two supplement-
al Conventions are, however, pending, rsla-
ting 20 the rights Of Americans il China, and
transit duties. Our dif6cuitios with Para
quay are satisfactorily adjusted. Our rela-
tions with France, Russia, and All the oonti-
mental governments OF Europs-Spain per-
haps excepted-continues to be most friend,
~.
CrBA.-The President recommends that IN
appropriation be made to meet the demands
OF the Armistead claimants. His opinion in
favor OF the acquisition Of Cuba, by fair
means, rename unchanged. Therefore he
again invites the serious attention OF Con-
gress to this important subject.
GREAT BKIrArF.-He had good reason TO
believe until recently that be would have
been able TO announce our dilkoultios with
Great Britain a. finally adjusted, in q man
ner honorably satisfactory to both parties.
From causes, however, which Great Britain
had not anticipated, she had not yet compile
ted the treaty arrangements with Honduras
and Nicaragua, In pursuance OF the under.
standing 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 our title. He was
happy to state that what was left to General
SCOTS discretion could not hare been placed
in better hands. Gen. SCOTT has successfully
accomplished his mission, and there was no
longer any reason TO apprchend the collis-
ion Of the respective forces during the pen
dency OF negotiations.
MEuco.-He speaks with regret of the un-
e. TT ~
speaks on the subject at length. Outrages Of
the worst description, be says, are committed
on persons and property, and there IL scarce
fered by our citizens there during few years
past. We are nominally at peace with Mex
leo; but az far as tho intsrests OF our COM
capacity, are concerned, we might o. well be
at war. Mr.. McLane, in August last, wrote
-ssI hope tho President will feel authorised
to ask from Congress for power to enter
Mexico with military forces at the call Of the
constitutional authorities, in order to protect
our citizens and treaty rights. Unless such
power il conferred upon him. the evils must
increase, &o." The President adds: have
bean reluctantly led to the same opinion, and
feel bound to announce this conclusion to
Congress. This is question which relates
to the future ~ we'll ~ to the past and pres
ent. The MD which he requires, and which
interests Gil commercial countries, is that
which should belong only to this country to
render, not only by virtue Of our neighbour
hood to Mexico, but BY virtue also OF our
established policy, which is inconsistent with
the interv ~.tion Of any European power in
the domestl. concerns Of that republic; and
for the reasons stated, the President recon-
mends the express passage Of law authori-
King him to employ such military force to
enter Mexico for the purpose Of obtaining
indemnity for the future. Should volunteers
be selected, such force could be easily rails.
cd in this country among those who sympa-
thixe with the sufferings Of our fellow citi-
xeDs in Mexico and with the unhappy condi-