Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-12-13

object" This is the very course which I earnestly
recommend in order to obtain an explanatory amend
ment of the Constitution the subject of slavery
| This might originate with Congress the State
Legislatures as may be deemed most advisable to at
tain the object. The explanatory amendment might be
conoed to the final settlement of the true construction
of the Constitution three special points FIRST
press recognition of the right property in
slaves in the States where it exists may
hereafter exist second the duty of protecting this
right in all the common territories throughout
their territorial existence, and until they shall be ad
mitted States into the Union, with or without
slavery as their Constitution may prescribe; third,
like recognition of the right of the master to have bis
slave, who has escaped from one State to another re-
stored and delivered up to him and of the validity OF
| the fugitive slave law, enacted for this purpose,
| together with declaration that all State laws inn
pairing defeating this right violations of the
sttuton, and are consequently, null and void
1t may be objected that this construction of the Con-
suon has already been settled by the Supreme Court
of the United States and what more ought to be re-
CURED The is, that very large proportion OF
the people Of the United States still contest the cor
recnes of this decision, and never will cease from ag
tation and admit its binding force until clearly esab
shed by the people of the several States in their
eign character Such explanatory amendment would,
it is believed forever terminate the existing dissensons
and restore peace and harmony among the States.
It ought not to be doubted that such appeal to the
arbitrament established by the Constitution itself,
would be received with favor by all the States of the
Confederacy In any event ought to be tried in spirit
Of Cancellation before any of these States shall separate
| themselves from the Union.
When / entered upon the duties of the presidential
Office the aspect neither of foreign nor domestic al"
fairs at all satisfactory We were involved In dan
gerous complications with several nations and two Of
Territories in state of revolution against the
Government. restoration of the African slavetrade
had numerous and powerful advocates. Unlawful mill
tary expeditions counenanced by many of our ct
zens, and were suffered in defiance of the efforts of the
Government, to escape FROM sbores for the purpose
Of
| ing republics with whom were at peace In addition
to these and other difficulties, experienced revuson
in monetary affairs, after my advent to power OF
unexamped severity and of runous consequences to all
the great interests of the country When we take
Prospect of what then our condition and contrast
this with its material prosperity at the time of the late
presidential election have abundant reason to return
grateful thanks to that mercful Providence which
has forsaken nation in all our past trials.
| Cur Foreign Relations.
| GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Great Britain Of the most friend
y character. Since the commencement of my admins
ration the two dangerous questions, arising from the
Clayton and BulWer treaty. and from the right OF search
claimed by the British government have been amicaby
and honorably adjusted.
The dis ordant constructions Of the Clayton and Bull
treaty between the two governments which, at diff
erent periods of the discussion bore threatening aspect
have resulted in final settlement entirely satisfactory
to this Government In my last annual message in
formed Congress that the British government had not
then completed treaty arrangements with the republics
standing between the two governments is, neverhe
less confidently expected that this good work will ere
long, be accomplished This confident expectation has
since been fulfilled. Her Britannia Majesty concluded
treaty with Honduras the 28th November 1852 and
with Nicararagua the 28h August 1861 relnquish
ing the Mosquito protectorae Besides, by the former
the Bay Islands recognized part of the republic
1t may be observed that the spuat of
these treaties conform in every important particular to the
amendments adopted by the Senate of the United States to
treaty concluded at London on the 18th October 1885,
between the two governments 1t will be recollected that
nv The
Of its objection to the just and important amendment OF the
to the article relating to Ruatan and the other H
; lands in the Bay OF Honduras.
be of sincere satisfaction to all classes
foreign the claim the part of Great Bril-
= -ait and search American merchan vessels
Oh 49, re of peace, has been abandoned.-
This was : i dangerous question to the peace Of
the TWO wish has existed since the war of 1912.
been into war; Th rendered manifest
exasperated state of public feeling throughout the
merchant by cruisers the coast of Gu
ba the spring of 1858 The American people hailed with
general reclamation the orders Of the Secretary Of the Navy
naval force in the Gulf of Mexico Ito protect all
sells Of the United States on the high seas from search
detention by the of any other nation" These
e orders might have produced an immediate collision be.
the OF the m M n Ih1s was
and to the law of nations as expounded by her own
The only question of any Importance which still remains
open the disputed title between the two to
torv AS this question is still under negotiation it not
advisable at the present moment to make any other
The recent visit of the Prince Wales in private char
the people country has proved to be Almost
auspcious In its it cannot fail to In
the kindred and kindly feeling which trust ever
actuats the government and people OF boh countries
their political and social intercourse with each other
~ FRANCE
With France, ancient and powerful ally our rela
le lions continue be of the most friendly character
decision has recently been made by French judicial trib
mail with appreciation Of the Imperial Government
which cannot fail foster the sentiments Of mutual regar(
that have long existed between the two countries Un
the French law, no person can serve IN the armies
France he be French citizen. The Flaw of France
recognizing the natural right of expatriation it follows
he necessary consequence hat by the fact
having become citizen of the United States, mas change
his allegiance and has lost his native character He cannot
lr- therefore, compelled to in the French armies
he should return to his native country These Pnc
pes were in 1852 the French Minister OF
and two have been confirmed by the Frenc
judiciary. In these two natives Of France nave peen Oil
charged the French because they nad oecom
citizens To employ the language OF our presen
of Minister France who has rendered good service on Tn
OCCASION 81 do not think French naura1zed feloN
citizens will hereafter experience much annoyance on Tn
venture predict that the time not far d1
tan when continental powers will adopt the sam
wise and policy which has done so much honor TO
1 enlightened government of the emperor any event. OF
Government bound protect the rights OF our natural
OF ed citizens where the same extent as though
of had drawn their first breath in this country We can
My cognize distinction between our native and natufanzs
ure citizens
ano Between the great empire Russia and the United Stat
mutual friendship and regard which mas SO long e4s
still continues to prevail and possible, 70 .t @
ates deed cur relations Win 'ha' H"pe 0 90 sA" W WV
doc desire.
ght Our relations with Spain now OF more compnca
In tbouph less dangerous character than they nave peen
many years. Our citizens have long neio ana Commune
noo d bn bIv nrgsd for series Of years by our
essye diplomatic representatives at Madrd put with
the obtapng redress The Spanish government finally sgr