recommend to Congress tho passage of a law au thorizing the President to employ the naval force at hit command for the purpose of protecting the live* and property of American citizens passing in trans it across the Panama, Nicaragua, and Tehuantepec routes, against sudden and lawless outbreaks and depredations, I shall not repeat tlio arguments em ployed in former messages in support of this meas ure. Suffice it to say that the lives of many of our people, and the soenrity of vast amounts of treas ure passing and repassing over one or more of these routes, between the Atlantic and Pacific, may bo deeply involved in the action of Congress on this subject. . . I would also recommend to Congress that author-; ity bo given to the President to employ the naval force to protect American merchant vessels, their crews and cargoes, against violent and lawless seiz ure and confiscation iu the porta of Mexico and .the ■ 'Spanish American States when those countries may bo in a disturbed ami revo 1 uUo^^°^ { ™°' conferred, as I have already stated, would of itself, in a great degree, prevent the evil. Neither would this require any additional appropriation for tho naval service* Tho chief objection urged against the grant of this authority is, that Congress, by^conferring it, would violate tho Constitution—that, it would bo a transfer of the war-making, or, strictly speaking, the war-declaring power to the executive. If this wore well .founded, it would, of course, be conclu sive. A very brief examination,- however, will place this, objection at rest. Congress possess the sole and exclusive power, under the Constitution, "to declare war." They alonp can "raise and support armies," and "pro - vido and maintain a navy." But after Cougress jJjsJl have declared war, and provided tbo force necessary ta caity it on, the President, os Comman der-iu-Cbief of tho Army and Nary, can.alone em • ploy this force tn making war against tho enemy.— r Thia is tho plain language, and history proves that .it was tho woll-knowa intention of the framers of tho Constitution. - It will not ho denied that the general " power to declare war" is without limitation,-and embraces within itself not only what writers on the law of na tions term a public.or perfect war, but also an im ’ perfect war—and, in short, every species of hostili ty, however confined or limited. Without tho au- 1 ' .thority of Congress tho President cannot tire a .hos tile gun iu any case, except torepcl the attacks of an enemy. It will not bo doubted that under this power Congress could, if they thought proper, au-, thorizo the President to employ the force at his com- ; wand to soizo a vessel belonging to an American ; citizen which had been illegally and unjustly cap tured in a foreign port and restore it to its owner. ■ But can .Congress only act after tho fact—after tho 1 mischief bos .boon done? Have they no power, to I ‘ confer up,on the President the.authority iu -advance j to furnish instant redress should such a case after- j wards occur? '.Must they,wait until tho mischief has been done, and can they apply the remedy only when it is. too latu? To confer this authority to meet future cases under circumstances strictly spec ified, is as clearly within tho war-declaring power ns such an authority conferred upon tho President by .act of Congress after tho deed had been done.— In tho progress of a groat nation many'exigencies must arise imperatively requiring that Congress should authorize tho President to act promptly on certain conditions which .may .or may not after wards arise.- Our history has already presented a number of such cases. I shall refer only-to’ tho la-' tost.- , / . Under the resolution of iTune 2d, 1858, "for the adjustment of difficulties With the Republic of Par aguay," the. President is “authorized to adopt such measures and use such force as in his-judgment may bo necessary and advisable in the event of a refusal of just, satisfaction ,by the Government of Paraguay." "Just satisfaction" for what? For "tho attack on the United States steamer Water ■ Witch," and " other matters referred to in tbo an nual message of the President.” Hero tbo power is expressly, granted upon tho condition that tho Government of Paraguay shall refuse to:render this "just satisfaction." In this and other similar ca ses Congress .havo -conferred upon the-President •power in advance to employ the army and navy up on the happening of contingent future events, and ibis most certainly is embraced within the power to declare waj. Now, if this conditional and’ contingent power could be constitutionally conferred upon the Presi dent in tho case of Paraguay, why may it not be conferred-for tho purpose of protecting the lives and properly of American citizens in tho event that they may be violently and unlawfully attacked in pass ing over tbo transit routes to and , from California, or assailed by the seizure of thoir vessels in a for i?b»n port?. To deny this powtsr is to render tho na vy, in a great degree, useless for tho projection of i iny lives and properly of American citizens incoun 't - i ?where ■'neither protection nor redress can bo .nt'i. nviso obtained Tiio Thirty-fifth Congress terminated on the 3d of March, 1859, without having -passed the “ act ana* king.approprinliqna.for the service of tho Post Of fice Department during the fiscal year ending the 30th June, 1860.*- This act also contained an,ap propriation .“ to supply deficiencies imthoTovenuo of tho Post Office Department for the year ending tho 30th Juno, 1859." I believe this is tho first in stance since the origin of tho Federal Government, now more than seventy years ago, when any Cou ' gross went out of existence without having passed all tho general* appropriation bills necessary to car ry on the Government until the regular period for tho meeting of a new Congress. This event im posed on the Executive a grave responsibility.’ It presented a choice of evils. • Had this omission of-‘duty occurred at the first ' session of tho last Congress, tho remedy would have been plain. I might have then instantly recalled them to complete their work —and this without ex pense to tho Government. But on tho 4th of March last there were fifteen of the thirty-throe Stales which had not elected any representatives to tho present Congress. Had Congress- boon called to gether immediately, these States would' have been virtually disfranchised. If-an intermediate period hod been selected, several of tho States would have boon compelled to hold extra sessions of their Leg islature, at great inconvenience and expense, to pro vide for elections at an .earlier day than that pre viously fixed by law. In tlio regular couree,.ten of these States would not elect until after tho begin ning of August, and five of these ton not until Oc tober and November. ■ On the other hand, when I camo to examine care-, fully tho condition of the Post Office Department, I did'not meet ns many or as great difficulties .as I had apprehended'. Had tho bill which failed been confined to appropriations for the fiscal year end ing on tho 30th Juno next, thoro-would have been no reasou of pressing importance for tho cull of an extra session. Nothing would become due on con .traotB_(thosQ..with railroad commiqiesLohly.except-.. • ed) for carrying the mail on the first quarter of tho" fiscal year, commencing' on the Ist of July, until the Ist of December—less than one week before the meeting of tho present . Congress. Tho reason is that tho mail contractors for this the current year did not complete their first quarter's service until the 30th September lastand by tho terms of th,eir contracts sixty days .more are allowed for the. set tlement of their accounts before tho department could bo called upon'for payment. . 4 The great difficulty and the great hardship con ■slated in the failure to provide for the payment of tho deficiency in the fiscal year ending the 3.oth of Juno, 1869. The department had entered into con (racls in obedience, to existing laws, for the service of that fiscal year, and tho contractors were fairly entitled to their compensation as it became due.— The deficiency as stated in the bill amounted to $3,- 068,728, but, after acareful'scttlcment of all these accounts, it has been ascertained that it amounts to $1,296,009. IV ith tho scanty moans at his command tho Postmaster General has managed to-pay that portion of this deficiency which occurred ,in the first two quarters of the past fiscal year, ehding on tho 31st December last. Tn tbo meantime tho Con tractors themselves, under these trying circumstan ces, have behaved in n manner worthy of nil com mendation. They had ono resource in tho midst of their embarrassments. After tho amount duo to e&ch of them bad been ascertained, and finally set tled according to law, this became n specific debt of record against the United State?, which enabled them to borrow money on this 'unquestionable secu rity. Still, they were obliged to pay interest in consequence of tho default of Congress, and on ove ' T? principle of justice ought to receive interest from rJ?S c « ,ment » r ThU interest should commence • AmwtSSZ w , be ? a wftrratl l would have issued for «o* n r ,app.ropria -Ist December, it wft\ S3’ •o« a i?A atod up to i to be taken into account a sum not i great difficuUiea and crnbarrasamsli u * f 0(1 * private character, both to tho people k.a 0 which would have resulted from ’ oonv\tuL^ tat - j Wo have yet scarcely recovered from, tho habits] of extravagant expenditure, produced by our .over flowing treasury, during several, years prior to the commencement of my Administration. The finan cial reverses which we have since experienced ought to teach us all to scrutinize bur expenditures with -the greatest vigilance and to reduce them to the lowest possible point. The executive departments of tho Government have devoted themselves to the accomplishment of this object'with considerable suc cess, flis will appear from their different reports and estimafes. To those I invito the scrutiny of Con gress, for the purpose of reducing them still lower, if this bo practicable, consistent with tho great pub lic interests of the'eountry. In aid of the policy of retrenchment I pledge myself to examine closely the bills appropriating lands or money, so that if any of these bills should inadvertently pass both houses, as must sometimes be the case,, I may afford them an opportunity for reconsideration. At the same timb; wo ought never to forgot.that true public econ omy consists, not in withholding the means neces sary to accomplish important national objects con fided to us by the Constitution, butin taking care that the money appropriated for these purposes shall bo faithfully and frugally expended. • It will appear from tho report of tho Secretary of tho Treasury that It is extremely doubtful, to say tho least, whether wc shall bo able to pass through tho present and, tho next fiscal year without pro viding additional revenue. This can only bb ac-; complished by strictly confining.the appropriations within tho estimates of tho different, departments, without making an allowance for any- additional expenditures which Congress may think proper, in their discretion, to authorize, and without provid ing for the redemption pf any portion of tho $20,- 000,00,0 of treasury notes which ’have been already issued. In tho event-of a deficiency, which I con sider probable, this ought noverto he supplied by a resort to additional loans. . It would bo a ruinous practice in the'days of peace and prosperity to go -•on increasing the national debt to meet.tho ordina ry expenses of the Government. This policy would cripple our resources and impair our credit in case the existence of war should render it necessary to borrow money. Should such a deficiency occur as I apprehend, I would recommend that tho neces sary revenue be raised by ah increase of our present AulV&b on \mpOTta;"‘'-X'heottuorTcpc«tnltap--t»plnronB expressed in my last annual message as to the best mode and manner of accomplishing, this object, uud shall now merely observe thafthcae have since un dergone no change. ‘ . . .The report of the Secretary of the Treasury will explain iu detail the- operations of that department of the Government. .... The receipts into tho Treasury from all sources during tho fiscal year ending 30th June, 1859, in cluding the loan authorized by the l4th Juno, 1868, and the issues of treasury notes authorized by existing laws,, were oighty-ono million six hundred and ninety-two thousand four hundred and seventy one dollars and one cent, ($81,092,471.01,) which sum, with the balance of six million three hundred and ninety-eight thousand three hundred and six teen dollars and ten cents ($6,398,310.10) remain ing-in the treasury at tho commencement of that fiscal year, made‘an aggregate for the service of the year of cighty-oight million ninety thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven dollars and eleven ccfits ($88,090,787.11). . The public expenditures during the fiscal year ending 30th Juno, 1859, amouutod to eighty-throe miUion seven hundred and fifty-one thousand five hundred and eleven dollars and fifty-seven cents ($83,751,511.57.) Of this sum seventeen million four hundred’and five thousand two hundred and. eighty-five dollars and forty-four 1 cents ($17,405,- 285.44) wore applied to tho payment of interest on tho public debt and tho redemption of (he issues of. treasury ‘ notes. Tho expenditure's for all other branches of the public service during" that fiscal' year were therefore sixty-six million three hundred and forty-six thousand two hundred and twenty-six dollars and thirteen cents ($00,340,220.13.) Thcbalanco remaining in the Treasury on the Ist July, 1859, being tho Commencement of tho present fiscal year, was four million three hundred and thirty-nine thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars and fifty-four cents ($4*339,27-5,54.) --—The - receipts-into -the- Treasury during the first quarter of the* present fiscal year, com mencing July Ist, los9,'wcre twenty million six hundred and eighteen thousaiulcight hun dred and sixty-five' dollars and eighty-five cents, ($20,618,805 85.) Of this amount three million eight hundred and* twenty-one thou sand three hundred dollars (3,821,300) was received on account of the loan and the issue of treasury notes—the amount of sixteen mil-’ lion sevenJiund'Hulund thousand five hundred and sixty-five dollars and eighty five cents (16,797,565 85) having been-receiv ed during the quarter form the ordinary sour ces of public revenue. The estimated receipts for the remaining three-quarters of the present fiscal year to 30th of Juno, 1860, ai*o fifty mil lion four hundred and. twenty-six thousand! four hundred .dollars, (50,426,400.) Of this amount, it is estimated that five million sev en hundred and fifty-six thousand four hundred dollars ($5,756,400) will be received for treas ury notes which maybe re-issued under the fifth section of the act of 3d March last, and one million one hundred and seventy thousand dollars ($1,170,000) on account of the loan au thorized by the act of Juno 14, 1858, making six million nine hundred and twenty-six thou sand four hundred dollars ($6,926,400) from: these extraordinary sources, and forty-three million five hundred thousand dollars ($43,- 500,000) from the ordinary sources of the I public revenue—making an aggregate, with the balance in the Treasury on the Ist July, 1859, of seventy-five million three hundred and eighty-four thousand five hundred and forty-one dollars and oighty-nine cents ($75,- 384,541 89) for the .estimated means of the present fiscal year ending 30th June, 1860. The expenditures during the first quarter present fiscal year wore twenty million ono hundred and seventy-four Four cents, ($20,007,174 76. sand throe and sixty-four thou seventy-aix centssixty-six dollars and were applied to the 76) of this sum public debt and the rodemjftf interest oh the of treasury notes,, and the issues fifteen million three hundred and To.bcing . thousand '.eight hundred and eight doIRSP ($15,342,8(J8,) were applied toordinary expen ditures during Dae quarter. The estimated expenditures during |ho remaining three quar ters, to June 30, 1860, are forty million nine hundred and ninety-five thousand five hun dred and fifty-eight dollars and twenty-three cents, ($40,995,558 23.) ■ Of which sum two million eight hundred and eighty-six thousand biz hundred and twenty-one dollars and thir ty-four cents ($2,886,02134) arc estimated for the interest on the public debt. The ascer tained and estimated expenditures for the fis cal year ending"3oth June, 1860, on account of the public debt, are, accordingly, seven mil lion five hundred and fifty thousand nine hun dred and eighty-eight dollars and ten cent?, ($7,550,98810:) and for the ordinary expen ditures of the Government fifty-three millions four hundred and fifty-one thousand seven hundred mid forty-font dollars and eighty-nine cents, ($53,451,744 89,) malting an aggregate of sixty-one millou two thousand seven hun dred and thirty-two dollars and ninety-nine cents, ($01,002, 732 99,) leaving an estimated balance in the Treasury on the 30th June, ,1 J(;. ...ulllg , , Sixty-a. million two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, (300,225,000,) which, with tho bal ance estimated, as before stated, as remaining in tho Treasury on the 30th Junc, 1800, will make an aggregate for the service of the next fiscal year of eighty million six hundred and six thousand eight hundred and eight dollars arid forty cents (580,006,808 40.) Tho estimated expenditures during the next fiscal year ending 30th Juno, 1861, are sixty six million seven hundred and fourteen thou sand nine hundred and twenty-eight dollars and seventy-nine ets ($66,714,928 79.) Of this amount, three million three hundred and eighty-six thousand six hundred and twenty one dollars and thirty-four cents ($3,386,621,- 34) will bo required.to pay the interest on the public debt; leaving.tho sum tf sixty-three million three hundred and twenty-eight thou sand three hundred and seven dollars and forty-five cents (303,328,307 45,) for tho esti mated ordinary expenditures during the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1801. Upon these estimates a. balance will be left in the Treas ury on the 30th Juno, 1801, oi thirteen mil lion eight hundred and ninety-one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine dollars and sixty-one cents (313,891,879 01.) But this balance, ns that estimated to remain in'tho Treasury on tho Ist of July, 1800, will bo reduced by such appropriations as shall bo made bylaw to carry into effect certain Indian treaties during the present fis cal year, asked for by the Secretary of the In terior, to the amount of five hundred and thir ty-nine thousand three hundred and fifty dob lars, ($539,350,) and upon the estimates of the Postmaster General, for the service of his de partment the last fiscal year, ending 30th June, 1859, amounting to four million two hundred and ninety-six thousand and iiine. dollars, ($4,296,009,) together with tho fur ther ostiniato of that officer for tho service of the present fiscal year, ending 30th June, 1800, being live million five hundred and twenty-six thousand three hundred and twen ty-four dollars, (35,520,324,) making an ag gregate of ten million three hundred and' six ty-one thousand six hundred aifd eighty-three dollars, ($10,361,683.)' Should these appropriations bo made as re quested by the proper departments, the bal ance in the Treasury on the 30th June, 1861, will not, it is estimated, exceed three million five hundred and thirty thousand one hun dred and ninety-six dollars and sixty-one cents, ($3,530,196 61.) I transmit herewith the reports of the Sec ratary of War, of the Navy, of the Interior, and of the Postmaster General. They each contain valuable information and important recommendations well worthy of the serious consideration of Congress. It will appear from the report of.the Secre tary of War that tho army expenditures have been materially reduced by a system.of rigid economy, which, in liis- opinion, offers every guarantee' that the reduction will be perma nent.. Tho estimates of the department for the , UCXt. htt.Vft ixco.TVy' VV?6'"tUVVYVOTIH oTTlollars below tho estimates for the present fiscal year, and half a million of dollars be low tho amount granted for. this year at the lasl session of Congress., Tho expenditure of the Post Office Depart ment during the past fiscal year, ending on tho 30th June, 1859, exclusive of payments for mail service specially provided for by Con gress out of the general Treasury, amounted to $14,946,493 33, and . its’ receipts to $7,968,- 484,07; showing a deficiency to bo supplied from the 'Treasury of $0,996,009 26, against $5,235,677,15 for the year ending 30th June, 1858. The i tier cased cost of transportation growing out of the’expansion 1 of the service required by Congress explains this rapid aug mentation of the expenditures, ft is gratify ing, however, to observe an increase'of re ceipts for tho year ending on the 30th Juue, 1859, equal to $481,091,21,. compared with those in the year ending on 30th June, 1858. It is estimated that the deficiency for tho current fiscal year will he. 55,988,424,04, but that, for the year ending 30th June, 1861, it will not exceed $1,342j473,90, should Congress adopt the measures of reform proposed and urged by tho Postmaster General. Since the month of March retrenchments have been made in the expenditures amounting to $l,- 826,471 annually, which, however, did not take effect until after the commencement of tho present fiscal year. The period seems to have arrived , for determining tho question whether this department shall become a per manent and over increasing charge upon the Treasmy, or shall he permitted to resume the self-sustaining policy which had so long con trolled its administration. The course of leg islation recommended by tho Postmaster Gen eral for the relief of tho department from its present embarrassments, and for restoring it to its original independence, is deserving of your early and earnest consideration. In’conclusion, I would again recommend to the just liberality of Congress the local inter ests of tho District of Columbia. Surely the city hearing the name of Washington, and de stined, I trust, for ages to bo tbo capital of bur united, free, and prosperous Confederacy, has strong claims on our favorable regard. • JAMES BUCHANAN. WASHINGTON’ Cm-, December 19, 1859, Tue Truth will Out. —The Philadelphia News-says that ”'ihe attempt of the Republi cans in'this State to make it appear that “pro tection to Aincricah industry” is a principle of that party, will deceive no man who has an ounce of brains.” The News be it recollected, is a genuine American sheet,- and knows whereof it affirms. Great Union Meeting. —The EaStiri- Ar gus says that tbo Democrats of that region of country intend holding a grand- Union- meet ing around the ballot-boxes in the autumn of 1860, when they will kill off Abolitionism ve ry effectually—not with Connecticut pikes, but with little Dutch and English paper bul lets. Wo are strongly inclined to the opinion that similar meetings for the same purpose will bo general throughout the entire Union. “ Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow.” —ln a recent lecture, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher gave an account of his first year in the ministry, the first flock which ho gather ed consisting of only nineteen poor women. He was then not only the pastor but the sex ton of the church, filling and lighting the lamps, which ho was compelled to buy him self, kindlingdho fires and- sweeping out the . diurch. 'li.. : an articlS a ! DE;ic '''—l'ho Milford Herald, has 1 Hbn. John G/iT the nomination l of the tion at Charleston. 'W.’dgo by the Oonvcn-, vors the nomination of-tho , 'if or d Gazette, fa- Black. T «romiah S. AMERICAN VOLUNTEER WHS B. BUTTON. Editor & Proprietor. CARLISLE, PA.* JAN. 5, 1800. Delegate Election. Pursuant to notice, the Democratic Stand ing Committee mot,at tho public house of Qeiscr, on the 24th December, 1859, when, on motion, it was Resolved, That the Democratic voters of Cumberland county, be requested to meet at their, usual places of holding township, ward ir borough elections, on Saturday the tin day jach township, ward and borough, to meet in Countv Convention, at the Court House, in Carlisle, on. Monday, tho 9th day of January, at 10 J o’clock, for the purpose of selecting delegates to represent Cumberland county in tho next Democratic State Convention.^ Resolved, That said election for delegates be hold in the several.townships between the hours of 1 and 4 o'clock, and in the boroughs bettrecn.the hours of 3 and 5 o'clock P. M. Resolved, That these proceeding bo publish ed in the Democratic papers of the county. E. Cornuan, Chairman. Jjro. Sanderson, Sect'y. Democratic Ward Meetings. A meeting of the Democrats of the West Ward, will ho -hold at Raymond's Hotel, on to-morrow evening, (FRIDAY) for, the pur pose of nominating delegates to the County Convention. The Democrats of the East Ward, will meet at Nbaker's Hotel, .at the same time and for the same purpose. The meetings will convene at 6} o’clock; Con-guess.— No Speaker yet. ■The Legislature. The Legislature of this State assembled at the Capitol oir Tuesday. The Senate was or ganized by tho election of Mr, Francis, (Rep.) of Lawrence county,' as Speaker, and Russel Ebbet( of Pittsburg, as Clerk. .The House organized at 12 o’clock, by eledting Mr. Law rence, (Rep.) of Bimphln; as Speaker, and E. H. Rauch, of Lehigh, Chief Clerk; Tho, Democrats" supported Mr.' Dunlap, of Phila delphia, for Speaker, and Jacob Zeigleb, of Butler,- for Clerk. After'being thus organ ized, both Houses adjourned.', The Gordfrlbr’s Message will be given in our next.' Lively- Times*—Our citizens, continue to make good use of - tho snow, and the livery stable proprietors are reaping a pecuniary harvest. ?. The Fibe Plugs.—Now that the cold weath er is upon us, and there is danger of the . wa ter freezing every day in the fire plugs, we would call the attention of councils to tho. ne cessity' of securing them' in a proper manner. A little care in this respect may bo tlje means of saving much valuable property. Should a serious fire occur, and the water beiound fro zen, the consequences would bo moat-lamen table. The-IFbatheb. —Monday last was omphat 'caHy lUe ofibWday of the' season. The mor- \ eufy ill the'thirrftommorhhh'iUl'uted, its'ClFTTy" shrinking almost into its crystal bulb. Every pane of glass in’the borough was as closely covered with miniature shrubbery in frost work as though it had been treated to a solu tion of benzoin. The milkmen made their appearance with frozen merchandise—cream served to Biddy by the square inch-instead of the pint. The day, however, in other respects, was a pleasant one. The sky overhead was brilliant, but the only, approximation to a thaw came during the middle of the day, when the rays of the sun wore unbroken. The Weather and the Poor.— The pres ent spelt of weather will no doubt have a ten dency to put mhny a poor family into'a tight place for bread ahd butter. Think of that ye who have an abundance of this world’s goods, and don’t hold off until hunger compels them to come to your doors, whcn you-may perhaps feel cross and crusty, and drive them away empty-handed.- There are many careless peo ple who really have good hearts; but who nev er give a “ red” to aid the poor, all for want of taking thought on the subject. Now is your time, oh, yffehristiahs; to show the world that your professions are notali empty words. Sinners, too, are apt to be charitable, and we hope they may not forget that it is more bles sed to give than to receive. " lie who giveth to- the poor lendeth-to-the- Lard.” If you like the security, down with the dust. I!®* The old year was hustled out and the new one ushered in on Saturday night with any amount of noise and confusion. Half grown youngsters, ns well as full grown men, with pistols and. pop-guns, kept up such a firing as would have led a person to suppose that the lager had boon stopped on our popu lation, and that they had risen in insurrection in consequence. Some scoundrels loaded their pieces with buckshot and ball, and .fired at liouses ahd stables, in all parts of the town. 4- rifle or pistol ball was shot through the front- window of the Post Office, and after striking against the wall, fell on the mailing table. Wo will pay a handsome reward to ajiy one who will give us the name of the man or boy who committed this outrage. It is time our citizens take some action for their own protection, for it is quite evident wo have iia out midst more worthless, wicked villains than any' town in the State. Let a police bo appointed, cost what it may. New Year;—Another year with its vicissi tudes has closed.- The' faint dream of some have been more than realized, while'the most reasonable expectations of others Ijavo been disappointed. The conflicts of life both with individuals and nations have given birth to animosities that still linger, though their ex citing cause has almost ebbed into forgetful ness. The success of some has not been suffi cient to appease their hate, while the defeat of others has given point ttftho tooth of envy, and whetted the appetite of vengeance. The victor, not forgetting the price paid for suc cess, and the vanquished, treasuring the re collection of each blow, anxious to return it withinterest. But shall we not “let the dead bury their dead,” and commence the New Year with hearts Only alive to the sublime virtues of-love and charity, being prepared to | extend a friendly greeting to all—forgive and endeavor to forget the real or imaginary inju ries of the past, and suffer not the festivities of the New Year to bo poisoned by malice. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. To the exclusion of our usual variety, we publish this morning the able annual Message of President Bochanan. The Message is written in a plain, clear, and forcible, stylo, and its sentiments will, we feel satisfied, meet the approbation of a large majority of the people. It is conservative in lone and patri otic in sentiment; To use the language of our able cotemporary of the Beading Gazette, this able State paper bears, in all its parts, tho impress of the tried experience, wise statesmanship, and, mature judgment, of its distinguished author. Even those who dis sent from the principle? it and the tone of hopeful confidence and calm reliance in tho good sense of the people, with which it treats the dangers that apparently threaten tho existence of the Eepublic, and looks for ward to its continued stability, and growth in power nnd greatness. ’ The President, in the opening of his Mes sage, alludes to the recent occurrences at Har per’s Ferry, and compares the excitement that has arisen from them to the volcanic tjres which burn themselves out by their own vio lence, and the ashes of which help to enrich tho fertility of the land. Tho slavery agita tion will have its day, ami will then die out, like the thousand issues which preceded it.— Tho events at Harper’s Ferry will cause the people to pause and reflect upon the perils to pur institutions with which such acts are fraught, and with reflection will come the cure, of the mischief. The true principle of territorial control over slavery haying been established by the Supreme Court, Kansas has settled down into peace, and now territories will hereafter come into the Union without all the political agitation which attended the admission of that Terri tory. All lawful means arc actively employ ed against the African slave trade, and the great evils of re-opening it are pointed out.— Mr. Ward’s conduct in China in respecting tho customs of the government, and the peo- pie, meets with the approbation of the Presi dent. Paraguay," in a friendly spirit, acceded to the demands of the United States, and now treaties of friendship and commerce have been entered into. ‘Our relations with all the gov- ernments of Europe are friendly, except with Spain, whidh government yet neglects to set tle the just claims against her, and.no reason- able prospect Of settling these claims exists, in the President’s opinion, unless the nego tiations embrace the acquisition of Cuba. The Clayton and*Bulwer treaty difficulty, it is be lieved, will be settled in good time. The San Juan dispute has, been placSd by General Scott in a position that both governments can continue their correspondence without any danger from the hasty action of subordinates. Tho.trouble we have with Mexico is.referred to,, and the recommendation renewed that au thority bo given, to establish military posts across the Mexican lino in Sonora and Chi- huahua, as a protection to Americans and Mexicans against Indian incursions. A treaty with Nicaragua ratified by that government, will be laid bofofe'tho United States Senate. The' recommendation that 'the? President ho the naYhVferce for ..tho. ’protection of the Isthmus travel is'again earnestly urged, with tho additional recom mendation that tho, authority’ bo extended to be used against Mexican and South American governments disposed to lawless seizure of American property. -The peaceful termina tion of the Paraguayan expedition is cited as an illustration that the power would'not be abused. The necessity of providing for the claims of tho contractors for carrying the mails is referred to, and the attention of Con gress called to the danger of leaving the go vernment without tho necessary appropria tions for carrying on tho several departments. In connection with this subject he recommends 'the' passage of a law requiring the Congres sional representation & bb filled before tljj 4th of March in each year of odd number, so that Congress cah bo summoned at any period when its services are required." Under the present atrahgement, sitoimoniniy Congress together at the close of one”term would leave a number of the States unrepresented.-' The Pacific Railroad is recommended and reaSons given why itus required as a moasure'of pub lic policy, ■ The attention of Congress'isalso called to the" duty of reducing the expendi- tures of government to the lowest’ possible standard consistent with public" interests.— Prom the report of the" Secretary of the Trea sury,-the Presideht-believes thatlt is doubt ful if, for the present and succeeding year, the revenue will. be sufficient to meet all the ex penditures, and a revision of the Tariff, by an increase of the duties on imports, upon the plan suggested in his last annual Message, to which ho still. adheres, is recommended in preference to a resort to loans. The Sideways. —Many of the sideways are in an unpleasant condition, and walking is extremely dangerous, inasmuch as a pedes trian’s heels seem to suddenly become pos sessed of an ungovernable propensity" to re verse the laws of gravitation and fly up, eith er forwards or backwards. A liberal appli cation of ashes on such occasions would ira : prove the condition of things wonderfully. JOSS“ The cold worfther has brought us the ioo harvest, in seasonable time. The creeks and ponds from -which the crop is usually ga thered, are frozen oyer with a mass of pure crystal ice, some six or eight inches thick, which the owners of our ice-housos are now b) msily employed in cutting and storing away for summer consumption. An abundant sup ply will-bo secured, so that we may reasona bly hope for cheaper ice next year than wo have had during the year or two past.- Fob Breckinridge.— The JEgis, a spirited and able Democratic paper; published at Bel Air, Md., raises the name of John C. Brook-' inridge to its mast-head as its choice for the Presidency, and accompanies the act with a strong and well-written article in favor of his nomination. Mr. B. is strongly entrenched in the hearts of the people, and his chancosfortho Charles ton nomination are daily strengthening. Injured. —A young man was severely in jured at Shophordstown, this county, last Sat urday night, by the bursting of a gun. Daniel E. Sickels— iJhis gentleman made an effective speech in the House, on Tuesday of last week. He has been warmly greeted by many members of the House. Duelling in Virginia. An interesting debate recently occurred in the Senate of: Virginia in regard to the prac tice of duelling. Under an opiating law, no person who has been, implicatedin o duel lias the right to hold any office connected with the Government of the State, yet a Mr. Douglas, who not long since was concerned in an nfflyr of honor, was last fall elected a member of the Senate, in defiance of the enactment, and with the full knowledge on his own part, and on the part of his constituents, ’that unless its provisions [could in some manner be evaded, he was not eligible to the position. The bill which gave rise to tho debate in question wns ■specially introduced for the purpose of legal izing his election; ns well [os to relievo all other persons from tho disabilities -incurred by the anti-duelling law up to this time. The .first anti-duelling act imposing . political disabilities upon those concerned in n duel, appears to have been passed in 1810; and since that time, on several ■ occasions acts of amnesty have boon adopted relieving all con nected in such affrays from those political disabilities up to the time of their passage.— Tho last act of this character was adopted in 1858. There had previously been a constitu tional amnesty in 1850, and a relief measure adopted in the rcvisal of the criminal code in 1847-8, ns well as"in the Constitution of 1829. In jtho. course of tho debate it was emphati cally stated that-public opinion-so strongly, favors the practice of duelling that a man who should refuse to accept a challenge, is scouted by his companions, driven from woman’s pre sence with scorn, and utterly blasted in repu tation. Another member expressed his sym pathy with those who had been,connected with duels in Virginia, because they lived in a so ciety by the laws of which they were forbid den, to, fight duels, and by tho public opinion of which they wore stigmatized with the re proach of cowardice if they refused to do so. . No definite action has yet been taken, upon ; the bill to which we have referred, further than that the Committee for Courts reported that it was inexpedient to legislate on the sub ject—this report being still unacted upon.— The debate strikingly illustrates the force of Virginia sentiment in favor of the practice pi duelling, and presents a strong contrast to the feeling which would probably find expres sion in the Legislature of our own or of any other Northern State" under similar circum stances. ' At the same time, it is'but just to remark that the projjbsb’d hew law was stren uously opposed for graVe public reasons, and from an anxious desire to check.tho prevailing passion for duelling, by soVernl members of the Senate of Virginia, With much ability, and that it appears, by the'action of the com 'ntitlcc, their views have for the present pre vailed. Grammatical’ Writing. Everybody writes as well as reads in these days of common schools and universal enlight enment, and knows something about the arbitrary rules of grammar; but the number of those who write grammatically is surprisingly few. Surprisingly few, wo re peal, because the art of expressing ideas cor rectly ou:papor is ouo of tUo must important' grammatical writlng'-wo moan simply the art of writing in a manner that loaves no doubt of the ideas intended to be expressed. This I simple art may be’ rapidly learned by any ipersoii'of ordinary capacity who will take the trouble tb do.it; yet, as wo have already re-, marked, the number of persons who do write correctly, is very small. If ope tenth of the time wdrich is devoted in most of our institu tions of learning to dead languages wore given : to a study of the English, good writers would be much more abundant than they aio at present. ■ It is possible to write' very 1 incor rectly and yet very clearly, as fair as milking one’s self understood is concerned; bub grain maticarwriting is never, obsedre'or anibigu ous. 'When* an Irish farmer described the' mark on his cow as “a round circle like ah 0,” i he made his meaning perfectly clear, but his style was inelegant in the extreme. It was , not more so, however, than that of many of our ■ newspaper writers who ‘cohtihually niake use of such expressions as “more perfect,“more complete,” “very exact/’ and so bn pas though , there Wore any dbgree of compaffson in dom ploteness, perfection, and exactness." Republican Election Eii\i-D.~The- Ec- 1 publicans have been detected in the perpetra tion of gross frauds in the State of Now York., Mr. Skinner, Democrat, wis elected Canal Commissioner by a mAjWity of about 250 on a poll of over 800,000 votes. The Republican returning officers in many counties contrived to make blunders in footing up the returns so as to place Mr. Skinner in the minority. The Democratic State canvassers had to send them back for correction. The election Of Skinner was important, as it gave the Democrats a majority of the confracting.board, which has the disposal of the canal patronage. Arrival of Senator Seward. —Senator Seward, who has been absent on a" tour through Europe, arrived at New York in the steamer Arago, on Wednesday last. He was mot at the wharf by a largo concourse of peo ple, and, amidst the firing of cannon and shouts of the masses, escorted to his lodgings. His reception was' a complete ovation. New Outbreak in Missouri.— The town of Bolivar, in Polk county, Mo., was the scene of much excitement on Mondhy night, from a negro outbreak. The negroes, who seem to have been few in numbers, wore driven to the woods, and have since been mostly captured and imprisoned. Recovered. —Gerrit Smith has so nearly been restored to complete health, that he, day before yesterday, returned to his, home by the desire of his'noarest friends, and the approval of his physician. : A statement is'afloat that ho'will go to Europe os soon as he is sufficiently restored to health to beflr the fatigufi of travel. (C7”'ln sickness wo perceive our" former faults and wrong-doings.- In sickness the mind reflects, and- suftfoya' itself with’judg ment, and regrets its former ' course. Pliny satd'siokhSss was the period of philosophical reflection, and‘it would bo well for us if wo would on recovery perform what wo promised when sick. - monster cannon, weighing thirty five tons, was east last Friday for tho Govornt, ment, at Fort Pitt Foundry, in Pittsburgh. Professor. i j The Buffalo Express has given a godjj ( . g| ■ mtion of the term‘.‘Professor.” Acooik, [S (hot journal the most sadly persecuted in our language is Professor. It once fit E ted a class of learned men, .who fillcilT P highest seats ill the universities, iiw;, a world of-erudition and many accompli), p| monta. Professors,, for the most nnrt , . . i * l . were, ; gentlemen of great refinement of manners t ; '■ customed to the best society, and welcoify as men of most agreeable-manners and cih , city [gr affording solid and rational ontortii n ," -I raont. It is difficult to distinguish, in M graceless time, between the legion of prefix, until the character of their known, Wo were informed, a day or i, t H since, that “ Profcssor-T—” would enter j, « Cages of certain wild animals in a travel® ||| menagerie, and were really at a loss to whether tho astounding announcement II credible. -It. might'possibly- bo.that learned theologian, desirous of practically 11 lustrating “Daniel in the Dion’s Dcn,”l Jl i| ventured on this singular method. Or, haps, some other learned professor, devoteiij ||| tho advancement of learning, had chosen lli, M occasion to study the habits of wild anlii,® for'the benefit of his college ; but pur defy. lP were' dissipated by reading that he wns' hil successor of Van Amburgh, the caravan A man may bo a professor by simply prolp fessing an art or trade. In this sense, crtnl' physician,' attorney-, clofgyninn, mechanic, ii blackleg is a professor, and the menagerie ninn I was tlleroforo literally correct when -he amii-P tiously appropriated the title. The word h,: '■ not very recent time, been applied (o f any other than one who tenches in a scriiiraty -- uf learning, and Professor Agassiz would wt ‘ wish to -be classed with “ Professor—at)-' hangs a tame- liori and cuffs-a sickly - about in a wooden cage. ■ ■' |?; Every dancing master is now-a-daya Pro-' , ’ feasor ; plain: Mister is altogether put utile, and Itarcy, the horse tamer, claims the title ’J; which is so well and honorably borne by Ages- ')s siz, the naturalist, Hitchcock, the geologist, m by Silliman and Robinson. . m Tire, great naturalist, whose intimate quaintance with nature enables him to coa- i,S struct a fish from its broken and fragmonfaij |t] bones ; the learned gentleman who, from hi )!§ study, ;sends out editions of the classics, t .writes mOst profound mental and moral dvjp‘ quisitionsj.is professor with the sable perse: ‘ j?? ago who rpm'qves. spots from old broadclotl/ V; or the loss respectable quack, who advertise; his nostrums and his cures. The title is no longer redolent of, the atmosphere of college,. and laden with reeplloetions of the laboratory/ V and the library"; it has fallen on evil times. It is now a convenient caption for dabblcnMg in all 'softs of arts, the aim of which is to gs|||| a living oufoif the public with the least pos;i bio labor, and requiring the exercise of»j|p! capital, except impudence. gg Alas I fpr lhc once honored word; the timit|« has c"olrib f for it; like furniture worn out, to turned put for the use of. the “ 1 ,wor classes.',^? , How Eats mat be cgontllte man whose hoii'se-waS • litpi’ally-.bsefriin wilW ——.l—,.. phicul method to dislodge them’; r floor'at several places in the upper stor’d S| I his house, ho placed there vessels containinffl| a mixture of sulphuric acid,’black oxide Jill manganese aticl’common salt/aind closed dowfe the .botfriSi/. The result was a slow chenuc|',?| decomposition and re-combining of clcmcntfel: in the progress of which the heavy, gas, chlorine, was disengaged. This made it|?|l :way along the open spaces and to the ccllnr,'l|| A few brealhs of the. poisonous atmosphere |«|| served to .conylrico the rats that danger was at hknd. .". Seizing" what of their accumulate! [1 hinder they could, they hastened to abandon Fs|l the premises, sneezing and weeping as they® went, from haying inhaled the noxious chlfr|i| rliie. Many months passed before one of thl 5,1| jhumbor ventured" to rethfn". Ah army cfijwß ants, moths, btfgs," fbhehes, and other pcstilS lent insects perished from the fumes. A young niop namctl,Scott Anderson!, a seaman,'who got 10'avo of absence to spent!' > ' CHrisimas with his friends, in PhiladclphiapS:|;,' t|as stabbed to death on Saturday last, by a Fourth Ward rowdy named Gor|||| man. When the police arrested the murdcroi!|;i f ;; he fired two barrels pif a rpfolver at them." —..- 1 . , 1 i I'!/' \Yjn.ter Picture. —The . leaden sfiy,- ttiife} white" streets, the tht'fcf frost-ornamfented windows,Andtiic dreary np||pv pearanco of all mundane' tilings, just now, cals a“ bciiufiful" Of winter by a wca-|||.; torn poet, which we recollect reading “longt'^f ime ago." It is as follows: ’ljs Trinter, and no more the breezes |v>, buzz among the budding freezes.; ■■ And while the’ boy with ragged trouscs, ; ’ ,"i Shivering, homeward drives his oowscs, . f '! Nearly frost bit are his loses, . ' . And, biass my life, how cold his nose is.” .- t Embarrassments'in. Reading Aloud.—All - who have read aloud for a family have felt embarrassment of coming to a word whicl ,> does not sound as-it looks —requiring that yv'Xfy&i should stop and spell it to bo .understood The Evening Post gives us the following i l ' : ■;jj stance: ■■ • ' ji- : “ Wife, make mo some dumplings of dough, , Tboy’ro better than meat for my, cough f ' - Pray, let them bo boiled till hot through, , .. But not until they’re heavy or tough. Now, I must bo off to my plough, ■ ' ■, ‘ '• ip And tho boys, (when tboy’vo had mißr/h,) Must keep tho flies off with a bough, ■ ( While tho old more drinks nt tho trough. jjgy At a special meeting of the Junior Cr ■ dots, held bn the 31st day of December, 18®/'*. the following preamble and resolutions w«K ' adopted; ’ Wuereas, an all-wise Providencehathseen . fit to take from us our late boloVod Captain, 1 - d J. Duncan Stevenson. Therefore, , . Resolved, That in this sudden and afflicting - d dispensation wo fool again the solemn warn- ■ n K “ that in the midst of life wo are in death." . Resolved, That wo shall miss with heartfelt sorrow from our company tho social’virtues, I;cm tho amiable disposition, the talents and oner gy, of our late friend and commander. jfes Resolved, That the Junior Cadets will wear. |||| thb Usual badge of mourning for thirty day* wl as £ tokfln Of respect to theirlato commander, oud thhl the flag of the company bo draped in:, tabiitning. Resolved, That tho proceedings bo publish-!-.,® od in the Carlisle papers, and a copy of tho . cc same sont-to tho family of tho deceased. In E. 8., Gould, ) " a. C. D. Law, } Committe, i ? W. B. Parker, J 1$ ES?* If a man is bitten by adog.ho ismO»C ’ likely, whether'the animal has tho hydropic Alia or not, to get mud. ' 4.