The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1860-01-05
$3ljstrjlanrous.
The Presidents Message,
TELEdRAPnIo srlIMARY.

WAsHTNGTON, Dec. 27--Ihe Presi-
dent, after expressing gratitude to AL
mighty God for the blessings through.
out the year, refers to the recent bloody
occurrence at Harper's Ferry. These
events, bad and cruel in themselves, de-
rive their chief importance from nppre-
/ IhensiOn; they are but the symptoms Of
an incurable disease in the public mind
which may break out in still more dan
|gerOus outrages and terminate at last in
/ open war by the North to abolish sla-
very. While he, himself has no such
| apprehension, they ought to afford a sol
emn warning to us all to beware Of the
| |apprOach of danger.
He says: "Let me implOro my coun-
| trymen, North and South, TO cultivate
the ancient feelings Of mutual forbear-
ance and good will towards each other
Strive to allay the demon spirit Of Sec
tional hatred and strife now alive in the
land"
He INDUCES in no gloomy forebod-
ings, and thinks that the Harper's Fer
ry affair will be the means Of allaying
the existing excitement, and preventing
| further outbreaks.
He cordially congratulatos Congress
on the FINAL settlement by the Supreme
Court Of the question of slavery In the
Territories The right has been estab-
lished for every citizen to take his prop
erty of any kind, including slaves, into
the Territories, and have it protected
there under the Constitution. Congress,
Territorial Legislature, nor any human
power can annul or impair this right.
Thus has the status Of a Territory
during the intermediate period from its
first settlement until it has become
State, been irrevocably fixed by the f.
nal decision of the Supreme Court.
He then describes the mode of admis-
sion Of a Territory as a State into the
| Union. 1t may be admitted with or
without slavery, as its Constitution may
prescribe.
This principle has been recognized by
almost the unanimous vote Of both
Houses Of the last Congress
All lawful means at his command has
been and will continue to be employed
against the slave trade Our history
proves that the fathers of the Republic,
in advance Of all other nations, con-
demned the slave trade.
The Chinese treaty ratifcations have
been exchanged. Two supplemental
conventions arc pending, relative to the
rights Of Americans in China and tran
sit duties.
The Paraguay difficulties have been
satisfactorily adjusted.
Our relations with France, Russia,
and all the continental governments Of
Europe, Spain perhaps excepted, con-
tinuo most friendly.
He recommends an appropriation be
made to meet the demands Of the Armi-
stead claimants.
He favOrs the acquisition of Cuba by
fair purchase, and again invites the Sc
rious attention of Congress to this i'm
pOrtant subject.
He had good reason to believe, until
recently, that he would have been able
to announce our difficulties with Great
Britain as finally adjusted in a manner
honorable and satisfactory to both par
ties. From causes, however, which
Great Britain had not Anticipated, she
had not yet completed the treaty ar
/
aqua, and in pursuance Of the under
standing of the two Governments. It
is nevertheless confidently expected that
this will shortly be accomplished.
In relation to the San Juan difficulty,
he entertains no doubt of the validity
of our title He is happy TO state
that what was left in Gen Scotts dis
erection, could not have been placed in
better hands.
Gen. Scott has successfully accom-
| plished his mission, and there was no
longer any reason TO apprehend the coll
sion Of the respective forces during
the pending Of negotiations.
He speaks with regret Of the unim-
proved condition Of affairs in Mexico.
lie speaks on the subject at length
| IOutrages of the worst description, no
says, are committed on persons and
property, and there is scarcely any form
Of injury which has not been suffered
by our citizens there duringa few years
past
We are nominally at peace with Mex
| leo, but as far as the interests of our
commerce and our citizens there in any
private capacity are concerned, VIC might
as well be at war. Mr. McLane, in Au-
gust last, wrote: 81 hope the President
will feel authorized to ask Congress for
power to enter Mexico with military
forces at the call of the constitutional
authorities, in order to protect our citi-
zens and treaty rights Unless such
power is conferred upon him, the evils
must increase" and the President adds:
IL have been reluctantly led to the same
opinion, and feel bound to announce
this conclusion to Congress, This is
question which relates 10 the future as
well as to the past and present.
The aid which he requires, and which
interests oil commercial countries, is
that which should belong only to this
country to render, not only by virtue
Of our neighborhood to Mexico, but by
virtue also Of an established policy,
which is inconsistent with the interven-
tion Of any European power 10 the do
nestle concerns Of that Republic; and
for the reasons stated, the President
recommends the passage Of a law au.
] al. ~ a. D