Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-02-09
From the Times of January llth.


American President Though these documents are OF
ten read with less immediate interest by English poti
cians than the manifesto OF some secondra1e European
potentate vet those who have time to perus them IN al
their immediate length will generally receive instruction
The American political STYLE though often tedious, il
seldom empty and vapid, and any one who desires
fairly written pamphlet the affairs of the United
States for the current year will generally find IN the
Presidents Message MIR. Buchanan, however, is man
above the usual Of American Presidents he is the
first eminent politician who has for quarter OF cen
tuTy been raised to the highest Office In the State More
over the transactions in which the United States are
engaged tend bring the country and more with
III the European system in spite of the cautions enun
ciaed by the founders OF the Republic. Whether en-
tangng alliances and interference in the quarrels Of
Princes will be the of the Western Republic
cannot prophecy, but there seems ample evidence that
the isolation which possible to small and thinly
populated State being abandoned by the ambitious and
SelfreGant Power The consequence is that the rela
lions Of the United States with ourselves and with
more than of their neghbors at times sufficiently
critical to demand attention. and when a statesman
of eminence and understood to have will Of bis own
is at the head OF affairs, the Message becomes mos
important political manifesto.
When Mr. Buchanan was elected to the Presidential
Office many thought that man who was understood t.
belong TO the extreme aggressive party ID the States
would be most dangerous wielder OF power. There
Others however, who asserted that Office and
and that Mr.. Buchanan as President would be less ag
gTessve than Mr. Buchanan the Independent politician
crtclsing the acts OF others The event has proved
this view to be the true one, and bound to say
that yet Mr. Buchanans international dealings par
tculary with this country have been marked by cour
tesy and good will That he belongs to the party which
wishes extend the territory of the Union there can b.
doubt but yet there has been nothing in his
duct which breahes the spirit Of the OStend Manifesto
The present Message relates good deal to external pol
itcs but its first paragraphs devoted to the nciden
which has been much discussed both sides the At
lantic-the attempt at Harpers Ferry. On this sub
ect the Presidents opinions may be easily divided
Like the great of Americans he pospones every
consideration to the safety OF the Union. Withou
sharing in the apprehensons entertained in quar-
ters he entreats his countrymen to exercise cODstan
vigilance its preservation, to cultivate the ancen
feeling OF mutual fOrbearancc and good will towards
each other, and strive to alay the demon spirit of
tOna hatred and STRIFE now alive in the land" Will
respect to the celebrations OF the AbOonlsts which
led Brown and his friends to their terrible fate, he says
Every rational creature must be presumed to intenC
the natural consequences Of his teachings. Thost
who abstract doctrines subverSve OF the Con
stution and the Union must not be surprised should
their heated parSans advance step further, and at
tempt by violence to carry those doctrines into pracca
effect"
Nothing has been more remarkable of late than the
tone of American politicians in speaking OF the cOOreC
race anu Tic luSLlltLion tl slavery DE0u CCOI
decision, sC the sign OF great reaction against the
claims of the Negro has been followed to its logical con
clusion IN manner which may we'll make the phian
hropist despair he OF Americans have answered
the New England agiatorS by asserting in the PLANES
and most nncompromsng manner the political reprOba
ton, to use CalVnistc term, Of the African race
They to take pleasure III the most offensive
cynical enunciaion of their new dogma. A few day
ago a correspondence published in which fret
cOlOred woman denied the OF the American LIE
cation on the ground that she not--that it was i'm
possible she should be- citizen and low find Pre-
SideLt Buchanan cOngratulalng the Union the set
tlement by the Supreme Court OF the United States
the question OF slavery in the Territories and speaking
of the holding of property III slaves as vested right
the American citizen which neither Congress nor
territorial Legislature nor any human power has au
th0rty to annul or impair. Now" he says emf
grants from the North and the South the East and the
West, will meet in the Territories on common plat
FORM having brought with them that species of property
best adapted IN their oaCn op'n1On TO promote their Wel
fare" These principles maniitstly just in them
selves and well calculated TO promote peace and har
mOny among the States
With respect to the Island of San Juan, Mr.. Buch
anas language is reasonable enough. He says that be
has no doubt as the validity OF the American claim
excuses the acts oil General Harvey the ground thai
| the Huds0ns Bay Company or the British author
tiles had attempted oppressive interference with the
rights OF American citizens and that the English
Admiral On the station exercised wise moderation il
avoiding collision. So much has already been sale
and written this subject that it is useless to dwell
it here, and we may turn to one of more permanent i'm
portance-the situation OF Mexico American citizens
says the President, have been injured and there is
redress While the authority of the Constitutional Gov
eminent is recognized at Vera Cruz and the more i'm
portant parts of the Republic, its power does no
extend to the city OF Mexico and the States in thu
vicinity of the capital. To obtain redress the bes
plan would be to send army to in concert will
the Constitutional government; but if that cannot b.
DONE the army must act without any such concert MIR
Buchanan then recommends Congress to pass Law
authorizing the President to employ sufficient mlitar,
force to Mexico and obtain indemnity tor the pas