The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-21 00:00:00

ICIIVIEW OF I•ul.lCY.

It has been the uoiturin policy ot tins government from
its foundation to the pet seat day to 'baton' from all inter-
ference in the domestic affairs of other nations. The eon-
sequence has been that while the nations of Europe have
been engaged in desalting wars, our country Iwo pursued
its peaceful course to unexampled prosperity and happimas.
The wars in which we have been compelled to engage, in
defence of the rights and honour of the country. have been
fortunately of short duration. During the terrific ecntest
of nation against nation which succeeded the French revo-
lution, we weee gnal t. by th.• wisdom and firmness Of
President Washington, to maintain our neutrality.
But it is now mild by some that this policy must be
changed. Europe is nn longer separated from es by a voy-
age of months, but steam navigation has brought her within
a few days' sail of our shores. We see more of her move-
ments, and take a deeper Mterest in her controversies.
Although no one proposes that we should join the fraternity
of potentates who have for lazes lavished the blood and
treasure of their subject% in maintaining " the balance of
power," yet it is said that we ought to intertere barmen
contenuing autereigns and their subjectr, far the purpose of
overthrowing the monarchies of Europe, and cstabliehing
in their place republican ine.itutions. It es alleged that we
have heretofore pursued a titian nt course from a sense of
our weakness, hut that now our comenous strength dictate,
a change of policy, and thit it is consequently our (loty to
mingle in these c- ntests and aid those wuu are etruggling fur
liberty.
This is a most seductive but clangorous nppeal to the
generous sympathies of freeman. Enjoying as we do the
blessings of • free government, there is so man who ha an
American heart that wou'd not rejoice to see tnese blessings
extended to all other nations. We cannot witness the
struggle betwcn the oppressed and the opcinasor anywhere
without the deepest sympathy for the former, and the most
anxious desire fur kia triumph. Neserthelcss, is it prudent
or is it wise to involve ourselves in these to:. jail wars ? hit
indeed true that we hate heretolore refrained from tod,,inr
merely from the degrailin7 motive of a conscious weakness Y
For the honour of the patriots who have gone before us, I
cannot admit it.

In closing this, my last annual communication, permit
me, . fellow-citisens to congratulate you on the prosperous
condition of our beloved country. Abroad its rel aims with
all foreign passers ore friendly ; its rights arc respected, and
its high place in the family of nations cheerfully r, cognised.
At home we enjoy an amount of happiness public and private
which has probably never fallen to the lot of any other
people. Braid a siftrding to our ON n citizens a degree of
prosperity, of which on so large a scale I know of nu other
instance, our country is annually affording a refuge and a
home to multitudes, altogether without example, from the
Old World. _ _

We owe these blessing•, under Heaven, to the happy
constitution and government which were brqueathe to us
by our fathers, and which it i. our sacred duty to transmit
in all their integrity tooar children. We must all consider
it a great distincCon and privilege to have been chosen by
the people to hear a part in the administration of such a
government. Called by an unexpected dispensation to its
highest trust at a Season of embarrassment and alarm, I
entered upon its archon' duties with extreme chtlidence. I
claim only to have discharged them to the best of en bumble
ability, with a single eye to the public good ; and it is with
devout gratitude, in retiring from office, that I leave the
country in a state of peace and prosperity.
MILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, Dcc. G,