The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-31
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE IN ENGLAND
VIEWS OF THE PRESS


About this period in each recurring year it be-
comes our duty to make some remarks on the Mes
sage of the American President. Though these
documents are often read with less immediate in
terest by English politicians than the manifesto of
some second-rate European potentate, yet those
who have time to pursue them in all their immod-
crate length will generally receive instruction.
The American political style, though often tedious,
is seldom empty or vapid, and any one who desires
fairly written pamphlet the affairs of the
United States for the current year will generally
find it in the Presidents Message. Mr.. Buchanan,
however, is man above the usual run of Ameri-
Presidents; he is the first eminent politician
who has, for quarter of a century, been raised to
the highest office in the State. Moreover, the
transactions in which the United States are engaged
tend to bring the country more and more within
the European system, in spite of the cautions enun
ciated by the founder of the republic Whether
''entangHng alliances and interference in the
quarrels of Princes will ever be the of the
Western republic cannot prophecy, Init there
seems ample evidence that the isolation which was
possible to small and thinly-populated State is
being abandoned by the ambitious and self-reliant
Power. The consequence is that the relations of
the United States with ourselves and with more
than one of their neighbors at times sufficient
ly critical to demand attention, and when
statesman of eminence, and understood to have
will OF his own, is at the head of affairs the Mes
age becomes most important political manifesto.
To the purchase of Cuba the President shortly
alludes: Whether Cuba will pass into the hands of
the Americans in our time we cannot saw but, if
event more than another is likely to hasten the
change of possession, 1t as such crusade that an
,ohich Spain IS indutging. To keep fifty thou
sand men month after month in an enemy's coun-
try costs money, we know to cost; and
though Spain is now prosperous enough yet the
time may come when the dollars of President
Buchanan will be sore temptation to the O'Don-
nell Ministry. To our thinking, the glory of beat
ing few African barbarians, and even the profit
of occupying fortress or two the coast, will be
dearly purchased with the revenues of the richest
and most patient of colonies.
From, the London Star (oryan Of the abo1itionistsJ,
JAM II.
The Message of the President of the United
States, which we print to-day, is by means
document equal in Importance to many which of
late years have issued from the same quarter. Not
that the topics which are handled are deficient in
interest. On the contrary, the condition of parties
and of domestic politics in the United States is at
the present time probably more critical than any
thing that has occurred there since the foundation
of the Union. profound feeling that some great
change is impending is to be traced in the attitude
of both the North and South The outbreak at
Harper's Ferry, followed, as we learn by tele-
graphic despatch, by negro Instruction in the
State OF Missouri, are significant facts bearing
upon the rising influence Of The abolitionst ideas-
The great Democratic party, broken up and disor-
ganized, chiefly by the inquties of the bred Scott
decision and the border rufianism perpetrated in
Kansas, seems to have irrecoverably lost its pre-
dominant power in Congress; and the South, alarmed
at the prospect of Republican Chief Magistrate
being elected this year, is abandoning ITSELF in the
persons of its members, in the still unorganZed
House of Representatives to the widest excuses of
language, and to threats of separation from the
Northern States and the erection of an independent
Southern slave Union But all this was patent be-
fore Mr.. Buchanan sent this his last message from
the White House, will his exposition of the
doctrines of the Constitution the question of
slavery, nor the assurances of his hope that the
Harpers Ferry affair will invite parties to unite to
avert the danger that otherwise menaces the Union
do much to allay the elements of discord and dis
union which that unnatural and obnoxious institu-
tion of slavery has called into action.
Happily only an inconsderable portion OF the
Message is devoted to the relations between Eng
land and the United States. Closely united in inte
rest by the bonds of commerce, yearly growing
more numerous and closer, these two nations can
never have any differences so serious as to lead to
a rupture. AT present there is scarcely cloud.
The President informs us that the differences ari-
sing out of the diverse interpretations of the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty are virtually at an end, and only
await formal settlement until certain unforeseen
arrangements shall have been CONE to between the
British government and the republic of Honduras
and Nicaragua. That is to say, that the Cabinets
of Washington and st. James are agreed upon the
principle of the settlement which in this case is
everything. As to the whilom threatening aspect
of the question respecting the island of San Juan,
the United States government, acting by the dis
Greet agency of the veteran General Scott, has re-
moved all of irritation and danger by the
supersediDg of the too ardent Harvey, and the re-
establishment of joint occupation of the disputed
island, until friendly negotiation shall have de-
termined to which nation it belongs. In adopting
this honorable and upright course Mr.. Buchanan
has indicated his own reputation as statesman,
and satisfied his conscience as an honest man-at
the same time disappointing any INSCRIPTIONS and
reckless faction in the Union, which might think
that by embroiliDg their country with England,
they could bring the executive power and patron
age within their own grasp.
From the London Chronicle jan 10.
As far can Judge from the summary for
warded to us, this second Message Of President Blu
chanan is on the whole satisfactory, and very
moderate in tone. The recent lamentable outbreak
at Harpers Ferry is the first point touched on
The President insists his determination to sup
press slavery 'by all lawful means at his COM
mand." OF course this only refers to the importa-
ton of slaves from Africa. Anything rejecting on
the maintenance of the domestic institution is
not to be expected in President of the United
States. Poor Brown has met the fate which his
frantic outrage had deserved. 1t is true
not help plying him, but it must be admitted that
his attempt to excite civil war of the most horri
BILE kind-that of the blacks against the whites
was something more than misplaced enthusiasm or
an error in Judgment. The insane audacty of
handful of men, in raising the standard of abolition
ism in that hotbed of slavery in the South is much
to be deplored, as tending still further to widen
that breach between the two sections of the Union
which threatened to rend the republic in twain
1t is not by open rebellion against the government
OF DIS country That any man can hope to advance
the cause OF emancipation in America.
We are rejoiced to think that there is at present
no prospect OF rupture between America and
Great Britain. The causes of disagreement have
been either amicably settled postponed with fair
pros oec of mutual accommodation at no distant pc
riod. The Central American treaty is delayed on
account of certain conventions between Great Bri.
tain on one side, and Honduras and Nicaragua
on the other, not having been ratified as yet The
San Juan question is in allegiance, and awaits the
final verdict of the Boundary Commission.
We quote the paragraph on Mexico reported
in the summary: recommend to Congress to pass
law authorizing the President, under such re-
striction as they may deem necessary. to employ