The National Register.
London, England, 1809-04-16 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

245

falter upon us at a moment when national prosperity being at;
height not before attained, the contrast remitting from thischange
has been rendered the more striking. Under the benign influ-
ence of our ftepublican inmitutions, aid the maintenance of
peace %%ill* all nations, whilst SII man" of theta were engagedsin
bloody and wasteful wars, the fruits of a just policy were en-
joyed in an unrivaJled growth of our faculties mot resources.—
Proofs of this uere seen in the improvements of agriculture;
in the successful enterprizes of commerce ; in the progress of
manufactures and useful arts ; to the increase of the public re-
venues, and the use made of it in reducing the public debt, and
in the valuable works and establishments every w here multiply-
ing. over the face of our land.
" It is a precious reflection, that the transition from this pro!,
perous condition of our countrv, to the scene which has for some
time been distressing us. is not chargeable on any unwarrantable
views, nor, as trust, on any involuntary errors in the Public
Councils, Indulging no passions which trespass on the rights
or the repose of other nations, it has been Ow true glory of the
United States to cultivate peace by observing justice, and to en-
title themselves to the respect of the nations at war, by fulfilling
their neutral obligations w ill; the most scrupulous importialitN .
" If there be candour in the world, the truth of these asser-
tions will not be questioned, Posterity, at least, will do justice
to them.

" This nnexceptinnable course could not avail against the in.
Justice and violence of the Bellivrent Powers. In their rage
against each other. or impelled by more direct motives, principles
of retaliat ion have been introduced, equally contrary to universal
reason and acknowledged law. How lung their arbitrary edicts
will be continued, in spite of the demonstrations, that not even a
pretext for them has been given by the United States, and of the
fair and liberal attempts to induce a revocation of them, can-
not be anticipated.
" Assuring myself that, under every vicissitude, the determined
spirit and united councils of the nation w ill he safe-guards to its
honour and its essential interests, I repair to the post assigned
me, with no other discouragement than w hat springs from my
own inadequacy to its high duties. If Ido nut sink under the
weight of this deep conviction, it is because l find some support
in a consciousness of the purposes, and a confidence in the prin-
ciples, which I bring with me into this arduous service.
" To cherish peace and friendly intercoorse with all nations,
haying correspondent dispositions; to maintain sincere neutra-
lity towards Belligerent Nations ; to prefer in all eases amicable
discussion and reasonable accommodation of differences, to a
decision of them by an appeal to arms ; to exclude foreign in-
trigues and foreign partialities, to degraliog to all countries,
and so baneful to free ones ; to foster a spirit of inde-
pendence, too just to invade the rights of others, too proud
to surrender our own, too literal to indulge unworthy
prejudices ourselves, and too elevated not to look done
upon them in others ; to hold the anion of the States as
the basis of their peace and floppiness ; to !rapport 4he consti-
tution which is the cement of the lotion, as well in its limitations,
as in its authorities ; to respect the riglrts and authorities re-
served to the States, and to the people, as equally incorporated
with, and essentiu I to the success oft he general system; to avoid
the slightest interference with the rights of conscience, or the
functions of religion, so wisely exempted from civil jurisdic-
tion; to preserve in their full energy the otloq salutary provi-
sions in behalf of private and personil rights, and of the free-
dom of the press; to observe ectmonly in ',oldie expenditures;
to liberate the nubile resources by anbonati rattle dischar;:,e tif the
public debts; to keep within the requisite limits a standing mili-
tary force, always remembering, that au armed and trained mili-
tia is the firmest bulwark of Republican (f.tveruments; that with-
out standing armies their liberty can never he in clanger; nor,
with large ones, safe; to promote by, auohnrif,ed menus friendly to
agriculture, to manufactures, and es let nal as w.•it as internal
commerce : to favor, in like manner, the advancement of science
and the diffusion of information as the best aliment. to true li-
berty ; to carry on the benevolent plans which have been so
meritoriously applied to the conservation of our aboriginal
neighbours from the degredation and wretchedness of si.vage
life, to a participation of the improvements of which the bunion
mind and manners are susceptible in a civilized state. As far :Ls
sentiments and intentions such as these can aid the fulfilment of
my duty, they will he a resource which cannot fail me.
" It is my good fortune, moreover, to have the patio in
which I am to tread lighted by examples of illustrious services,
successfully rendered in the umst trying difficulties by those who
have marched before tote. Of those of my immediate prederea.
'or; it might least t,teconte me here to speak—i may, • however