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<fS J 1
holding a special session of Congress. * au< *
For those reasons X recommend tho passage of &
bill, at as early a day as may bo practicable to pro
vide for tho payment of the amount, with interest,
due to these last mentioned contractors, as well as
. to make the necessary appropriations for tho service
of-tho Post Office Department for tho current fiscal
year.
Tbo failure to pass tbo Post Office bill necessarily
gives birth to serious roflectious. Congress, by re
fusing to pass the general appropriation bills neces
sary to carry on the Government, may not only ar
rest its-action, but might even destroy its existence.
The army, the nary, tbo judiciary, in short every
.department of the Government, can no longer per
form their functions if Congress refuse tbo money
necessary for tbeir support If this failure should j
' teach the country the necessity of electing a full I
Cbqgrcss in sufficient time to enable the President I
to'eosjreoe them in any emergency, even immedi- I
ately after the old Congress has expired, it Trill I
have fcen productive of great good. In a time of /
auddcn and alarming danger, foreign or domestic,
which all nations must expect to encounter in their
progress, the Tory salvation of oUr institutions may
bo staked upon the assembling of Congress without
delay. If, under such circumstances, the President
should find himself in the condition in which ho was
placed at tho close of the last Congress, with nearly
half, tho States of tho Union destitute of Represen
tatives, the consequences might bo disastrous; I,
therefore, recommend to Congress to carry intb ef
fect tho provisions of tho Constitution ou this sub
ject, and to pass a law appointiug some day previ
ous to the 4th March in each year of odd number
for the election of Representatives throughout all
the States. They have already appointed a day for
the election of electors for President and Vice Pres
dent» and this measure has-been approved by the
country.
I would again express n most decided 'opinion in
favor of tho construction of a Pacific railroad, for
tho reasons stated in my two last annur’
- -When-I-retloot-upon-what-nuiuldJjc-thi
coudition of our States and Torritoric;
Rocky mountains in ease of a war with
cr sufficiently strong to interrupt all int<
them by tho routes across the Isthmus, I am atill
moro convinced than over of the vast importance of
this railroad. I have never doubted the constitu
tional competency of Congress to provide for its
construction, but this exclusively under tho war
making power. Besides, the Constitution expressly
requires, as an imperative duty, that “ the United
States shall protect each of them [the States] against
invasion.* lamat a loss to conceive how tills pro
tection can' bo afforded to California and Oregon
against such a naval power by any other means.—
1 repeat tho opinion contained .in my last annual
message, that it would bo inexpedient for tho Gov
ernment to undertake this great work by agents of
its own appointment and under its direct and ex
clusive control. This would increase tho patronage
of tho Executive to a dangerous extent, and would
foster a system of jobbing and corruption which no
vigilance on the part of Federal officials could pre
vent The construction of this road ought, there
fore, to bo entrusted to incorporated companies, or
other agencies, who would exercise .that’active ami
vigilant supervision over it which can bo inspired
alone by a sense of corporative and individual in
terest. I venture.to asserttbat tho additional cost
of transporting troops, munitions of war, and ne
cessary supplies for the army across tho vast inter
vening plains to our possessions on the Pacific coast
would bo greater in such a war than the whole
amount required to construct tho road. Aiid yot
this resort would, after all, bo inadequate for their
defence and protection. « > - 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.