Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-12-07
Presidents Message.

- -. -. ...1.ss.a
Presidents Message.
We lay before our readers, in an extrs
sheet. the 4th annual message Of President
James Buchanan It will be observed thai
nearly one-half Of the document is devoted
to discussion of the present condition o.
the country. It argues both against the
doctrine Of secession and coercion; and pre-
sents clear case for revolution on the par
of the South, if the Nor.h does not at orc.
reuounce its hostile legislation and at:.itade
The message says: ''Let us trusa that th.
State Legislatures will rereal their uncon
stitutiopal and obnoxious FRAGMENTS. In
less this shall be Zone without unnecessar,
delay, it is INpossIp.s FOR ANY HUMAN pow
RR TO FAVE TIE UNION The Southern
otates. Standing on the basis Of the Consti
tp..on, nave right to demand this act O
)usslce from the States the North. Should
it be refused. then the constitution to which
all the States are parties, will have been
wilfully violated by one portion of them in
a provision essential to the domestic securi
ty and happiness Of the remainder. In
that event, the injured States, after having
first used all peaceful and constitutional
means. to obtain redress, would be justified
| in revolutionary resistance to the govern
ment Of the Union" In short, upon this
point, the message says: "Secession is moth
ing more nor less than revolution 1t may
or may not be justiiable revolution. but still
it is revolution"
1t recommends a Convention Of all the
States for the purpose Of celebrating, un-
der the 9Th article Of the Constitution, for
the amendment Of that instrument, and a
clearer assertion of the rights Of the South
In regard to South Carolina, the Pres-
dent states that all the federal officers,
through whose agency the laws Of the Uni
ted States are to be executed have resigned.
10 fact, the whole machinery of the federal
government. necessary for the distribution
Of remedial justice among the people, has
been demolished, and it would be difficult,
if not impossible, to replace it. He says
the revenue is still collected at the port of
Charleston. 1t is not believed that any at
tempt will be made TO cxpel the United
States from this property by force: but ifin
this he should prove to be mistaken the Off
Ger in command of the Forts has received
orders to act strictly on the defensive. In
such contingency, the responsibility for
consequences would rightfully rest upon the
heads of the assailants
This is the only intimation conveyed in
the message OF probable conflict between the
Government and South Carolina.
Such legislation is recommended to Con-
gress with view to an amendment of the
constitution on the subject of slavery as the
President confidently believes would lead to
final adjustment of this vexed issue, and
the restoration of peace and union
The foreign relations of the United States
are all represented to DO in favorable con-
dition.
An economical system of administration
has been gradually inaugurated, and the ex-
penses of the government have been rcduc-
ed from seyenty-one millions to Fifty five
millions.
In relation to the revenue, the President
urges modification of the tariff, as essen
tial to the demands upon the treasury. and
to prevent the gross frauds practiced under
the ad valoren. system The President re-
commends specific duties as the rule Of the
tariff
| Our neighbor of the Rockingham Regis.
ter is in "heNish" aud "deui2ish" humor
In an article last week, under the caption
of ''tho crisis-tlie remedy''-Ie uses the
word "heIE" seven times and that of devil
five times What's the matter with the
"Senior p Is he in for q fight with the
Yankees Well have to send him oul
cockade. Hold on. Senior, little while
and keep cool. We're going to raise com
pany of minute men. and you may be Ger
poral We're experienced in border war
fare, and know how to kick upa "deviF' Of
fuss without getting hurt. Obey orders
Senior, and we'll take you through with fly
ing colors You know the minute men
will have to march behind the Virginia
Militia" 1t least we have understood thai
will be the order of marching when the tina
comes. Then we can brag and tear around
seeking whom we may devour as much a:
we please. When the powder begins te
burn, the vile Yankees will have to NOW
down the ''Sirgnia militia before they can
get to US 'nlinute men, So you see we'll
have all the honor of being in the war, with
Out getting scratch. Stick to us, Senior,
aud you'll nesor 60 down to your grave IN
wept, unhouored and unsung. Well have
glory, or break something.
Senator Hunter has written very able
letter to his constituents Of Essex county
in which he discusses not only the issue,
which at present disturb the country, bu'
the whole theory and design Of our system
of government He contends for the right
of secession. but that it ought only 70 take
place when secession must be immediate te
be remedy at ALL He is Of opinion that
Llncoln's election ought not to cause dis
ruption without first using every prope,
means to preserve constitutional union. -
He fayors conference among Southern
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