Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1860-01-05

Il RESIDENTS MEssAGE.-AN ABsTRACT-The
resident, after expressing his gratitude to the
Almighty for his blessings throughout the wear.
refers to the recent bloody occurrences at Har-
pers Ferry. These events, bad and cruel in
themselves, derived their importance from the
apprehension that they are but symptoms of an
lncurabie disease in the public mind, which NAV
break out in still more dangerous outrages and
terminate at last in open war to abolish slavery
While he himself entertained no such appreben-
sion, these events ought to afford solemn warn
ing to us all to beware of danger The Presi-
dent says: Let ME implore my countrymen
North and South to cultivate their ancient feel
ings of mutual forbearance and good will towards
each other, and strive to allay the spirit of sec
| tional hatred and strife now alive in the land"
This advice proceeds form the heart of an old
public functionary whose services commenced in
the last generation of the wise conservative states
men Of that day but he INDUCES no gloomy
forebodings. He thinks the affair of Harper's
Ferry will be the means of alaying excitement
and preventing further outbreaks.
He cordially congratulates Congress on the f.
nal settlement by ths supreme court, of the ques-
ton of slaveryiu the territories. The right has
been established Of every man to take his prop
erty of every kind, including slaves into the ter
ritores which belong equally to the whole con-
federaey, and to have it protected there under
the federal constitution. Neither Congress nor
the territorial legislature nor any human power
has any power to annul or impair this vested
right. Thus have the statutes of territory du-
ring the intermediate period from IT'D first settle
ment 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 the admission of a territory as a state
into the Union. 1t may be admitted, he says
with or without Slavery asfhe local constitution
may prescribe. This principle has been recog-
nized in some form Or another, by the almost
unanimous vote of botmHouses of the last Con
gress.
Concerning the slave trade Mr.. Buchanan
says that all lawful means at his command have
been employed and will continue to be employed
for its suppression. Our history proves that the
fathers of the republic in advance of all other na
tons, condemned the slave trade.
Notifications of the Chinese treaty have been
exchanged. Two supplemental conventions are,
however, pending relative to the rights of Amer
leans in China and to transit duties.
Our relations with Paraguay are satisfactorily
adjusted. Cur relations with France, Russia,
and all the continental governments of Europe
(Spain perhaps excepted continue to be most
friendly The president recommends that an
appropriation be made to meet the demands of
the Amistad claimant. His opinions in favor of
the acquisition of Cuba by fair means remain Ill
changed; therefore, he again invites the serious
attention Of Congress to this important subject.
! The President had good reasons to believe un-
til recently that he would have been able to an
nounce Cur difficulties with Great Britain as final
ly adjusted, in manner honorable and satisfac-
tory to both parties. From causes, however,
which Great Britain had not anticipated she had
| not yet completed the Central American treaty
| and the arrangements with Honduras and Mica
| two governments. It is nevertheless confidently
| expected that this will shortly be accomplished
In relation to San Juan he entertains no doubt
of the validity Of our title. He was happy to
state that what was left to Gen. Scots discretion
could not be placed in better hands, lie (Gen.
Scott has successfully accomplished his mission,
and there was no longer any reason to apprehend
the collision Of the respective forces during the
pendency of negotiations.
He speaks with regret of the unimproved con-
dtion of affairs in Mexico, and treats on the sub
ject at length. Outrages of the worst description
he says, are being committed on persons and
property, and there is scarcely any form of injury
which has not been suffered by our citizens there
during few years. We ale nominay at peace
with Mexico, but as far as the interests of our
commerce or our citizens there in any capacity
are concerned we might as well be at war, Mr.
Mciane our Minister to Mexico in August last
wrote Il hope the President will feel author
lied 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 is
conferred upon him the evils must increase, u ETC.
The President adds -" | have been reluctantly
led to the same opinion, and feel bound to an
nounce this conclusion no Congress- This is
question which relates to the future as well as to
the past and present" The President declares
that the interests of all commercial countries re-
quire that Mexico should be in the hands of the
constitutional OR liberal government; and we are
called upon to render this aid not only by virtue
of our neighborhood to Mexico but also by viz
tue of our established policy, which is inconsis-
tent with the intervention of any European pow
er in the domestic concerns of that republic
For the reasons stated the President recommends
the express passage of law authorizing 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 raised in this country among
those who sympathize with the sufferings of our
fellow citizens in Mexico and with the unhappy
condition of that country. Such an accession to
the forces of the constitutional government
would enable it soon to reach the capital.