Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-03-20

that il is my intention to use every means
in my power to preserve the friendly inter-
course which now so happily subsists with
every foreign nation. And that although,
of course, not wei, informed as to the state
Of pending negotiations with any Of them.
Isee, in the personal characters Of the SOW
cregns. as well as in the mutual interests
Of our own, and Of the Governments with
which our relations are most intimate, a
pleasing guaranty that the harmony so inn
portant 10 the interests OF their subjects,
as well as Of our citizens, will not be inter-
rnpted by the advancement Of any claim or
pretenslon upon their part to which our
honor would not permit us to yield. Long
the defender of my country's rights in the
field, trust that my feow-citlzens will not
see, in my earnest desire to preserve peace
with foreign powers, any indication that
their rights will ever be sacrificed, or the
honor of the nation furnished, By uny admis-
sion on the part of their Chief Magistrate
unworthy Of their former glory. In our
intercourse with our aboriginal neighbors
the same lberaIity and justice which mar.
ked the course prescribed TO me by two oil
thy illustrious predecessors, when acting
under their direction in the discharge of the
uullcS VI SupciluLCuuCut anu commissioner
shall be strictly observed. can conceive
of no more sublime spectacle--nCne more
likely to propitiate on impartial and com
mon creator-than rigid adherence to the
principles Of justice, on the part OF a power
full nation in its transactions with a weaker
ond uucivllized people, whom circumstances
have placed at its disposal.
Before concluding, felIow-citzens, Unjust
say something to you on the, subject of the
parties at this time existing in our country.
To me it appears perfectly clear that, the
interest of that country requires that the
violence of the spirit by which those par
ties are at this time governed, must be
greatly mtigated, if not entirely exiting
uished, or consequences will ensue which
are appalling to be thought Of.
If parties in Republic are necessary to
secure degree Of vigilance sufficient to
keep the public tunctlonaries within the
bounds of law and duty, at that point their
usefulness ends: beyond that, they become
destructive OF public virtue, the parent Of
spirit antagonist to that Of liberty, and e.
ventually its inevitable conqueror. We
have examples of Republics, where the love
Of country and OF liberty at one time were
the dominant passions of the whole mass
OF citizens, and yet, with the continuance
of the name and forms Of free government,
not ves,ige Of these qualities remaining in
the bosoms of any one Of its citizens. 1t
was the beautiful remark OF distinguished
English writer, that sin the Roman Senate
Octavius had party, and Anthony party,
but the Common wealth had none" Yet
the Senate continued to meet in the Tenn
I t,lI # tho md
beauty of the Commonwealth, and gaze at
the statues Of the elder Brutus and Of the
Curtii and Decii; and the people assembled
in forum. not as in the days Of Camllius and
and the Scipios. to cast their free votes Tor
annual magistrates, or pass upon the acts OF
the Senate, but to receive from the hands OF
the leaders OF the respective parties their
share Of the spells, and to shout for one or
the other, Of those collected in Gaul or f.
gypt and the lesser Asia would furnish the
larger dividend. The spirit Of liberty had
fled, and avoiding the abodes Of civilized
man had sought protection in the wids OF
Scylhia or Scandinavia. And so under the
operation Of the same causes and influences
it will fly from our Capitol and our forums.
a calamity so awful, not only to oar coun-
try, but to the world, must be deprecated
by every patriot, and every tendency TO a
state of things likely to produce it, mmedi-
ately checked. Such a tendency has eXls'
ted-does exist. Always the friend of my
countrymen, never their flalterer, it be-
comes my duty to say to them, from this
= high place to which their partaltv has en-
allied me, that there exists in the land spir-
it hostile to their best nterests-hostlIe TO
liberty itself. 1t is spirit contracted in
its views-selfsh in its objects. 1t looks
10 the aggrandizement of II few even to the
destruction of the interest Of the whole
The entire remedy is with the people,
Something however, may be effected by the
means which they have placed in my hands.
II is union that we want, not of a par
~, for the sake of that party, but
a union Of the whole country, for the sake
of the whole country. For the defence OF
its interests and its honor against foreign
aggresson-tor the defence Of those prin-
cipIes for which our ancestors so glorious
ly contendcd. AS far as it depends upon
me, it shall be accomplished. All the inhu,
ence that possess shall be exerted to pre-.
vent the formation at least otan Executive
party in the halls Of the Legislative body
wish for the support of no member Of that
body TO any measure Of mine that does not
satisfy his judgement and his sense Of duty
to those from whom he holds his appoint
ment. Nor any confidence in advance
from the people but that asked for by Mr.
Jefferson, 'sto give firnlness and effect TO the