The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-01-06
The Message.

Instead of the Presidents Message at
length. (which would preclude the possibility
of our publishing anything else the same
week. We give an abstract Oft upon our first
page. In regard to Mr.. Buchanan's posi-
ton on the slavery question in the terrific
ries, the Boston Journal (which is conserv-
alive paper) makes the following apt re-
marks:
We have said that in many respects the
Message bears the marks Of retiring func-
tionary, but in one important respect it has
all the appearance Of being framed by func-
tionary who is determined upon securing a
renewal of his office. We refer, Of course, to
the slavery question, with which the Presi-
dent opens his Message, and to which he de-
votes nearly Quarter of his space. This
cannot but be regarded as direct bid for
denomination at Charleston. The whole
treatment of the subject bears directly upon
that point. whether argument, appeal, reHec-
tons, or paternal advice "from the heart of
an old public functionary," characterize any
given portion of the process. THUS, he takes
pains to dwell upon the catastrophe of "an
open war by the North to abolish slavery in
the SOUTH although "for myself" says he. Il
entertain no such apprehension" So. also,
in pointing an absurd insinuaton against the
republican party. he draws a melancholy pie
ture OF Southern mothers Of families not
being able to retire to rest at night without
suffering dreadful apprehensions of what
may be their own fate and that of their chill
dren before morning. and other horrors of
like natures, but adds but indulge in no
such gloomy foleboding." Why introduce
them, them Why? For the same reason
that in advocating compliance with the
laws for suppressing the African slave trade.
he goes out of his way to expatiate upon the
blessings which the Southern slave now en-
joys, and the mutual felicity of the relation
between him and his master For the same
reason, too. that while dwelling upon the
evils of anti slavery agitation. he takes par
ticular care to say nothing against the ope.,
and avtwed di>unionists of the South. All
this is designed for those who will control
/ the Charleston Convention To the same
end, he for the first time avowS himself in ia
vor of Congressional protection to slavery in
the territories. We might show, by quota,
tons from his previou> messages. viii, what
regular steps Mr.. Buchanan has marked his
sinking sabsrr,iency to the slave po~er,trom
his advocacy Ct squaiter sovereignty in his
Inaugural, down to this last reckless avowal.
which comedies all that the most violent pro-
pagandiSts have hitherto Uhough they viii
advarcr still further now been clanuriny
tor. " declares that neither Congress nor
the Territorial Legislature can impair tn.
claim to hold slaves in the territories. and
that if Judicial decisions fail to protect that
claim. then Congress may intervene IN aid
thereof by the passage Of new laws No
Northern democrat can 90 further than this.
and the President has the priority in the dis
graceful tender. But the unhappy mall has
been used to the extent of his availability.
and now he is morally sure to meet the fate
which bociouds "o'tr-vaul,ing ambition" IA,
the close of its career.