President TYLER has presented to the American Congress his opening
message. Something less bulky than usual, it is full of matter, and characterized by all the author's pedantry and self-seeking. The topics of the day are marshalled in their most imposing array : those which are calculated to pamper the popular taste for excitement are made prominent ; those which are likely to offend are softened down, or passed with scarcely an allusion. A single exception to the deference for the vulgar taste is the part enlarging on a dry subject of State banking : but that is Mr. TYLER'S own hobby. One popular passion is the desire to seize upon the Oregon territory, disputed between Great Britain and the United States : Mr. TYLER treats the dispute as a mere obstruction by Great Britain to the un- doubted right of the States ; mentions without disapproval the fact that Americans continue to take possession of the territory by occupation ; proposes military guards for those squatting settle- ments; and assumes as decided, that it must all one day belong to his countrymen ! The Slaveholding States desire to include Texas in the confederation, because it furnishes a channel for the slave- trade, forbidden by sea ; and it would also, if added to the number of Slave States in the Union, give to them a casting-vote in the Senate : Mr. TYLER more than hints at the annexation of Texas as desirable. Mexico is unpopular with its neighbours in Texas and the States bordering on the Mississippi, and it is moreover a weak state, very safe to offend : the President has many a hard word for Mexico. "Repudiation" is a very prominent topic of the day, but it is a very delicate and offensive subject : it is by no means a prominent topic in the message ; on the contrary, if remarks about the goodness of Atuencan credit ! Taxation is very unpopular with the free citizens, but quite necessary to keep up their credit : so Mr. TYLER says; but he wraps up the assertion in circumlocutory and magniloquent boasts, to disguise it for the spoiled taste of the grown children. Such are the leading points of the message ; which, notwithstanding the high official and responsible station of the author, may almost be called an in- flammatory document. As he sinks in reputation by finding his natural level, JOHN TYLER becomes more unscrupulous in his means of attracting notice, since the accidental possession of office only renders more tantalizing the insignificance which it cannot redeem.
Previous page
