Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-18
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Gus sequel to his last annual message. In
the outset, he declares that his convictions in
respect to those questions Of public policy
that now disturb the country, which he gave
in the former communication, are unchanged
but, with a wiser discretion he refrains from
repeating the impudent absurdities that were
therein expressed. He makes no definite and
specific recommendations, but in general terms
says that dividing line run through the ter
ritories ought to be &" universally approved"
He draws a somewhat alarming picture Of the
state of the country, deploring the distress
and want Fortunately, the painful apprehen-
sions that these statements are calculated to
excite arc mitigated by the fact that they are
false that, in the free states, at least, there
is no such want and general depression as he
portrays. His misrepresentation, however,
can not fail to confirm and even increase the
delusion that exists in the seeding states con-
corning the restitution Of the poor in the
North. The President utters his conviction
that the secession movement originates in the
misapprehenson at the South Of the senti-
ments Of the people of the North Still,
with a singular perversity, he continues to
foster such delusive misconceptions, as he al
ways has done during his official term
He again denies the right Of secession, but
can find no remedy to check secession and re-
bellion. Proceeding he denies the right Of
the Executive to wage an aggressive war
on any state as though anybody claimed he
had the right and should exercise it. lie seeks
to justify his neglect and fatal inaction by this
absurd and baseless pretense. Instead Of
looking the facts squarely in the face and firm
ly, promptly dealing with them. he invents a
fictitious issue and vainly endeavors to draw
over his imbecle and shameful cowardice this
iimsy cover. The thing won't work
Now, he becomes firm and determined
He is decided in his resolution to enforce the
laws and defend the public property. We
take courage only to be disappointed. His
pluck soon escapes him, and in hopeless des-
pair be covers before the formidable front
that treason and rebellion present, and casts
the whole burden on Congress The country,
he says, is in state of revolution, vet has to
confess that he has done nothing to stay its
progress. Federal forts and other property
have been seized in many states these seizures
have been purely aggressive" yet he, the
sworn guardian Of them, backed by adequate
power 70 protect them, has been the passive
witness of these lawless and aggressive "
acts, according to his own deposition. Fur
ther than this the deponent saith not" The
depth Of humiliation is reached.
Mr.. Buchanan, having thrown the respon-
sibility on Congress, admonishes it to be
prompt in action, and decisive in its meas
ures. Palliatives will not do. Bold James !
Plucky counselor Admirable advice But,
dear sir, what is the use Of efficient action by
Congressi What is the use of enacting netu
laws-of comforting more authority on you to
meet the exigency' You have failed to use
that which you already have. You have been
timid, vacillating, and cringing. You have
been gulled by traitors. You have spurned
the counsel Of patriots. You have been scar
ed by the threats of bullying braggarts. You
have struck hands with rebels, and have been
rescued from infamy and odium only by the
judicious maneuvor of gallant officer who
dared to do his duty" What would you
do with more power: How can it be confid-
ed to you, with the hope that it will be exer-
cised;
Let Congress say to the President Sir
well rounded platitudes on the power and
prosperity Of the confederacy and the value
of the Union; gloomy pictures of contingent
and imaginary disasters idle quibblings re-
specting the impractcability of controlling is
sues that have no existence constant truck
ling to the arrogant demands of ,iomineering
and seditious men repeated affirmations of
good Intentions will not bring peace to the
country, though you be clothed with the am
plest authority. 1t is your function and duty
to act. You need but act with frmness, mod
Grafton and straightforward drectness, doing
impartial justice to all parts of the country :
confronting traitors and factions unAinching-
ly vindicating the supreme and rightful au-
thority of the federal government; employing
effectively the power you now have to pro-
tect the public property, to preserve the I'M
ion and maintain peace then you shall have
our support and our active cooperation in
concentrating your noble and patriotic pur-
purposes
If he would heed such advice, all would be
we'll, The people, with whom the settlement
of these troubles rests, would rally about him
and heartily support him His next message
would be one of peace and graduation. Be
sides, TO his present consciousness that he "has
meant well for his country" he would super
add the grateful plaudits of his patriotic
countrymen.
SAD DEATH--A WARNING To BoYs.-Two
weeks since we noticed the death of son of
Rev Mr.. Muzzey, Missionary to India, who
is now in this country, and lectured in this
place but few days before. We now learn
from the New Hampshire Statesman, that the
death, which occurred at Middlebury, VT,