, 1861-12-27
masbin9ton Statesman.
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC, 27th, 1861
The Presidents Message.


United Stetes in the present war, and the
recognition of the independence and sover-
eighty of Hayti and Liberia.
OF the first Mr.. Lincoln says justly (in
substance,) that the perpetuity of the Un-
ion of the States, and of our present form
of government, depends less on the conduct
of foreign powers than on the patriotism,
virtue and intelligence of Americans ihem-
selves. By this expression we may learn
that the Administration is determined to
prosecute war for the maintenance of the
power of the Central Government in spite
of foreign intervention,-which appears to
be anticipated If such is the case, it will
be found that the strongest sympathizers
with the secession party will be the fore
most to assist in repeIling foreign invasion,
when those sympathizers are. remote from
the scene of conflict between the North and
South. In that way, many men will lend
their assistance to maintain the national
power, who would be against it in another
contingency.
The President fayors the compulsory col
onization of negroes contraband of war, -
and the encouragement of free negroes to
emigrete. The recognition Of Hayti and
Liberia evidently looks to those two coun-
tries as the place of settlement for negro
emigrants. A feasible and just plan for
the expectation of tie negro element must
be looked on with qualification by all ex-
cept few insane extremists, as their pres
ence has been and ever will be a fruitful
source of trouble among ourselves,
The proposition to build railroad
through Cumberland Gap, to connect the
loyal communities of Kentucky and North
Carolina, is placed on the ground of emil
itary necessity" 1t is well that it is so
for any attempt to institute a general sys-
tenn of internal Improvements at the expense
of the Federal Government, will meet with
bitter opposition. 1t would at once divide
public sentiment in manner but little
dreamed of by the old school of politicians
of both parties.
Mr.. Lincoln appears to be disposed to
deal frankly and boldly with foreign pow
ers; avoiding causes of offense, yet disposed
to resent encroachments. He renders prompt
satisfaction in the case of the detention of
\ British merchantmen, and seizes the Con-
federate Commissioner aboard of another,
for which he makes no apology.
The financial statement is very meager,
and in postal matters evidently erroneous
probably fault Of the telegraph. The war
expenses amount to near hundred million
quarter. At present they are evidently
extraordinary, as all the material for carry
ing on the war had to be created. This
vast quarterly expenditure will be distribu-
ted among the people, and when the re-
markable prosperity of our foreign trade is
considered, it appears as if the national ca
pabilities are fully up to the gigantic strug-
gle in which we are engaged.
The revision, codifcation and condensa-
ton of the United States statutes, is sub
ject of great general interest, and if success
fully accomplished-as proposed by the
President-will be of incalculable value to
the legal profession and laymen as we'll.
The Reorganization of the circuit courts
of the United States, so as to extend their
jurisdiction over all the states and terrific
ries of the United States, is but an act of
simple justice to the various communities
of the Union. At present several of the
states have no circuit courts-a crying evil.
The proposition to establish courts under
the military power to collect repudiated
debts, is one which may lead to monstrous
abuses. If it is done, thousands of good
Union men in the South may yet be des-
poiled by the strong hand of military power,
under the pretense of paying northern cred
itors. The debts due from the business
men of the South to those of the North,
should be subject to the same laws, in their
settlement, as if no war existed for it is a
fact in all wars, that he transfer of the or
dinary civil administration Of affairs to the
military power, is the excuse for the spolia-
ton of friend and foe alike. The disposi-
ton to strengthen the military power for
any other purpose than the conquest of the
enemies of the Union, must be looked on
with suspicion,-an error of judgment or
intention.
Passing over all the minor points in the
message, Mr.. Lincoln has struck upon a
popular chord when he defends the dignity
of labor The destinies of the Union have
been too long in the hands of men who des-
pissed the everyday employments of life
Experience has shown that those men are
not more capable, and scarcely so honest,
as the practical laboring and business men
Of the country 1t is agriculture, maDufac-
lures and commerce that furnish the sinews
- IL ,o