Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGES.


49, 1870 - N7-+'t+t'e~Nf
We have reason to renew the expression of
our deyout gratitude to the GIvER OF All Coon
for his benign protection. 0urcouatry presents,
on every SIDE, the evidences of that continued
| favor, under whose auspices 1t has gradually risen
| from a few feeble aud dependent Colonies to a
| prosperous and powerful ConledcIacy. We are
blessed with domestic tranquility, and all the ell
ements OF national prosperity. The pesulcace
which, invading, for time, some iiourlshlng pov-
tons oihe Union, interrupted the general preya-
lence Of unusual health has happily been limited
IN extent and arrested in It's fatal career. The
industry and prudence OF our citizens are gtadu-
ally relieving them from the pecunmry embar-
rassmerts under which portions o.! them have la
bored; judIcious legislation, and the natural and
houndless resources OF the country, have afford
ed WISE and timely aid to private enterprises md
The activity always characteristic of our people
has already, IN great degree, resumed IT'S usual
and profitable channels.
! The condition OF our foreign relations has not
| materially chaaged since the last annual me sSage
OF my predecessor We remain at pence with
all nations; and no efforts on my part, consis-
tent with the preservation of our rights and the
honor of the country, shall be spared To mani
| tam position so consonant TO our Institutions
We have faithfully sustained the foreign policy
with which The United States, under the guidance
of their first President, took their stand IN the
family Of naiions-lhat OF regulating their inter-
course with Other powers by the approved prlncl-
pies Of private life; asking and according equal
rights and equal privileges; rendering and de-
mandng Justice in all cases, advancing their
| 4. t1e gf ,,titgts
with candor, dncctneSs, and sincerity; appealing
at all tme to reason, but never Welding TO force,
nor seeking 10 acquire any thing tor themselves
by ITS eXetclse.
A rigid adherence to this policy has left this
Government with scarcely claim upon IT'S jus.
tee, for injuries arising from acts committed by
its authority. The most imposing and perpeX-
ing Of those Of the United States upon loyeigr
Goytsnments, for aggresslons upon our ciIl2cns
were d,spc.edi ofby my predecessor. lndepcnt
" of the benefits c,,ai,.red upon our citizens by
restoring to the mercantile community SO many
millions of which they had been WINS 'uy Ut
vested, great service was also rendered +, NJ
country by the satisfactory adjustment Of so ma
ny ancient and irritating subjects Of contention
and it reflects no ordinary credit on his success
tul administration Of public affairs, that this great
object was accomplished, without compromising,
on any occasion, either the honor, OF tho peace
OF the nation.
with European powers no new subjects Of
difficulty have arisen; and those which were un,
der discussion, although not terminated, do no
present more niayorable aspect for the future
preservation Of that good understanding, which i
has ever been our desire to cultivate.
Ofpendlng questions, the most important i
that which exists with the government of Grea
Britain, in respect TO our Northeastern boundary
1t IS with unfogncd regret, hat the people of The
United states must look back upon the abortiyt
efforts made by the Executive, for period o.
more than nall ccalury, to determine, what nc
nation should suffer long to remain in dispute
the true line which divides its possessions from
those of other powers. The nature Of the set
Elements on the borders Of the United States
and Of the nelghborIng territory, was for a sea
son such, that this perhaps was not indispensable
to faithful performance Of the duties Of the Fed
eral Government. Time has, however, changed
this state of things and has brought about con
dlton of AFFAIRS in which the true interests O
both countries lmperaycly require that TIN
question should be put at rest. 1t is not to b,
disguised, that with full confidence, often OK
pressed, in tic desire Of the British Governmen
to terminate il, We ATE apparently as far from 1t
adjustment as we were at the time OF signing tn
treaty Of peace in 1888. The soir result oflonl
pending negotiations, and perpexing arbltra
ton, appears to be conviction, on It's part, TIA
conventional line must be adopted, from, ihC
ltnpossblhty Of asceramng the true one accord
lng TO the description contained III that treaty.
Without colucldug in this opinion, which is no
thoughtto be well founded, my predecessor CAV,
the strongest proof Of the earnest desire OF til,
United States TO terminate satisfactorily tins dis
pute, by proposing the substitute N OF a conyen
uona line, the consent OF the States interested il
the question could be obtained. To this propo
sition, no answer has as yet been received. Tn
: attention Of the British Government has, howcy
err been urgently invited 10 the subject, aud its re
ply cannot, | am confident, be much longer dc
ayed. The general relations between Gica
Britain aud the United States are Of the mos
friendly character, and am well satisfied of tn
: sincere disposition Of that Government TO man
} tain them upon their present footing This dis
n position has also, am persuaded, become NOR
! general with the people Of England than at an
t, previous period. 1t is scarcely necessary 10 sa
D to you, how cordially 1t Is reciprocatcd by I'll
Government and people Of the United states.-
The convection which must be common to all,
e the injurious consequences that result from keel
v Ing open this irritating question, and the certan
If that its final settlement cannot be much long
deferred, will, trust, lead to an early and sail
factory adjustments. At your last session, la
before you the recent communications betwet
the two Government, and between this Cover
ment and that the State Of Maine, in whose S
licitude, concerning subject in which she h
SO deep an interest, every portion Of the Uni'
participates.
The feelings produced by temporary into
a. ruption of those harmonious relations betwe
France and the United States, which are due
well to the recolectioas Of former times as tC
correct appreciation Of existing interests, ha