Year: 1860




From the Washington Constitution
The appeal thus made by Mr.. Buchanan to the
justice, the patriotism, the wisdom, of the country
will at once bring the issue to a decisive test If
it be not listened to, who else can speak? If it be
not acted upon, readily and generously, of what
avail will be further talk about forbearance or
further effort to adjust the relations of the two sec
tons upon the slavery question? Mr.. Buchanan
has discharged his duty in the premises. He has
done all that his position allows him to do, by de-
monstratng the danger and the way of escape
His responsibility, so far as the at present
stands, is therefore ended. The responsibility of
Congress now begins, and upon the promptitude
and sagacity of its action the question of Union
no Union altogether depends.


From the National IRteligeRcerl


The chief interest of the present Message will
doubtless relate to the Presidents views on the
doctrine OF secession In so far he discusses this
topic in the light of history, reason and constitu-
tional law, we have Marked in our hasty perusal,
little to which we cannot give our full and hearty
assent.


+ From the Philadelphia Inquirer-Iu1ependent


The anxiety felt by the general public to learn
what the President had to say about the disturbed
domestic relations of some of the States to the Gen.
eral Government, was yesterday relieved by the re-
ceipt of the annual message to Congress But be-
yond the mere satisfaction of having learned his
views, no other sensation of relief was experienced
The great difficulty is left without any clearly in
dicated remedy. Taking the document as a whole,
iti most remarkable medley, exhibiting the work
OF variety of hands, and showing unmistakabe
signs of having been peced and patched, elaborated
and cut down, to suit the conflicting opinions of
different members of the Cabinet


There are passages in which it is direct forcibIe
and satisfactory, and these followed by others
that are feeble almost to absurdty 1t is clear that
the President and his advisers did not know what
to DO with the great question they were forced to
deal with. The President has cast the
responsibility of extricating the country from dan
ger and destruction upon Congress, and to that
body the people must now look for the means of
peace and Union.


Er, JJs


We do not wish to pronounce upon measures of
Cancellation in advance of any declaration of sen
ment by the body of the Opposition in Congress,
but we have no expectation that the only real point
In these propositions would ever be ratified as an
amendment to the national Constitution. 1t is
grave matter to open the Constitution again to al
teratIon, and the attempt to do so would produce
much, if not dangerous, discussion The points
named are all below the rank of constitutional pro-
vision, also, whatever their merit. The case is real
ly an inadequate one, aud it would be as unneces-
sary it is inadequate in any other state of the
public mind than the present.


So much for the Presidential message on the
gravest event yet known to our hStory-a treat.
ment of the characteristic of the President we
have now. With much soundness of argument we
have singular inadequacy of results but we hope
that in the brief period vet remaining to the author
OF this message shall have nothing to lament of
greater and graver Ell, y.


From the Philadelphia PennSyranian- Breckenridge


Democrat


1t remains to be seen how these recommendations
will be received by the country. Such is the tenn
per OF the public mind that no man, however wise,
can pronounce upon the effect of any proposed
measure. Human judgment, always falble, is in
the present emergency altogether at fault. If
patriotism is not extinct, may hope for a reac-
tion at the North which will be generously responded
to at the South, and which will result in that con-
summation devoutly wished.


From FOrneyS PreSS1


That 1t the best message that has proceeded
from the Executive whether from his own pen
from that of his Cabinet we do not saw, it would
be folly to deny. 1t is written with vigor and
cearness, and that part of it which refers to the
existing troubles is certainly presented in orcble
manner.


But, unfortunately for the President he has in
volved himself in a labyrinth of Inconsistencies.
His argument against secession, particularly that
part of it which is strengthened by his references
to the Constitution and Mr.. Madison's authority,
is overwhelming; and vet, while deprecatng revo-
lution and denying to Congress to the Executive
all power to force seeding States back into the
Union, his message substantially ju8tfes the Southern
States IN retiring from the Union. = i
We repeat that secession must end in civil war,
and the the public mind settles itself upon
this idea the better. A thousand events will pre-
cipitate conflict between the States that go out
and those that remain in, and it is this apprehen-
sion daily thickening and darkening upon Congress
and the country, that should induce the Cotton
States to pause and rally the border States around
the Union.


From the Alexandria Fal Gazette-Union.l


1t is that part OF the Message which gives the
lesiueHt views VH inc suDJeCJ vi Union, SeceS-
sion, and kindred matters, which will excite most
public interest We do not know that upon
careful consideration of all the points made by the
President, we shall agree with him in every par
ticular. But repeat that the tone and spirit of
his remarks are conservative, union loving and pa
triotc; and add that if all sections of the country
could approach the matters in dispute in the same
spirit, the controversy might be settled amicably
and peace and union be restored.


From the NelU York Herald


As the closing regular exhibit of Mr.. Buchanan's
administration, we had expected good report, and
we should have been disappointed had he failed to
meet the sectional discords and dangers of the day
with such arguments and recommendations for the
preservation and perpetuation of the Union of these
States as his position, the occasion and the public
expectations demanded. So far, however, from
being in any degree disappointed upon these essen
tias, we are delighted with the calm, patriotic,
consistent and convincing views thereon of this ad-
mirable annual Message. The last from Mr.. Buch-
anan, it is his best, good its predecessors have
been, each in its adaptation to the requirements of
the time.


From the Neao York TrtbauieT


Let us devoutly thank God that, for the ensuing
four years at least the people of the United States
are relieved from the annual visitation of long
Presidential lecture wherein reason is insulted,
humanity outraged, history travestied ana common
sense dehed, in the interests of human slavery, and
for the interest of its upbolders. Whatever evils
the future may have in store for us. this one, at
least, Is Tor season intermitted, if not forever
putaw


From the NeU York World]


Despite the logical inconsistency between some of
its most important positions, President Buchanan's