Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-12-21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

To the Senate, and House Of Representatives Of
the United States:
In coming tegether, fellow citizens, to
enter again upon the discharge OF the du,
ties, with which the people have charged
us, severally, we find great occasion TO re-
ioice in the general prosperity OF the
country. We are in the enjoyment OF all
the blessings of civil and religious lloer-
ty, with unexampled means Of education,
knowledge and improvement. Through
the wear which is now drawing to close'
peace has been iH our borders, and Plen-
iy in our habitations; and although disease
has visited some few portions OF the land
with distress and morality, yet in general
the health of the people has been preser-
we'd and we are called upon by the high
est duty, to renew our thanks ond our oe-
votions to our Heavenly Parent; VINO has
continued to vouchsate TO us the eminent
blessings which surround us, and who mas
SO signally crowned the year with MS
Goodness. five find ourselves increasing,
beyond example, in numbers, in strength
in wealth, in knowledge, in every thing
which promotes human and social happl-
ness. let us ever remember our lndepetn-
dence. for all these, on the protection
and merciful dlspensations OF DIVINE
Providence. ,,
Since YOUR las: adjournment, Alexander
Mcleod. British subject, who was III
dicted for the murder of an American
citizen. and whose case has been the SUD-
iect of a correspondence heretofore com
/municated to you, has been acquitted Oy
the verdict of an impartial and intelligent
iurv. and has under the judgement OF the
Court. been regularly discharged. -.
Great Britain has made known to TINS
Government that the expedition which
was fitted out from Canada for the des-
truction of the steamboat Caroline, In the
winter of 1887, and which resulted IN the
destruction Of said boat and in the death
Of an American citizen, was undertaken
bv orders eminating from the authorities
az the British Government, IN OcAaoa'
and demanding the discharge oil McLeou.
unon the ground that, if engaged IN tina,
expedition, he did but fulfil the orders o,
his Governmet, has thus been answered
in the only way in which she could be an
swered by Government, the powers o.
which are distributed among its seVera
departments by the fundamental law
Happily for the people Of Great britain
os we'll as those of the United States
the only mode by which the lndivldua
arraigned for a criminal offence, oeiore
the courts of either, can obtain his dis
cbarye, is by the Independent action o o
the Judiciary, and by proceedings equal!
Gan,iliar 10 the Courts of both countries
Ifin Great Britain power exists IN I'M
crown to cause to be entered nolle pros
eoui, which is not the case OF the eXecu
five mower of the United States upon
prosecution pending in court: yet there
no more than here, can the chief Execu
five. mower rescue prisoner from custo
dv without an order ofthe proper trlbu
nal directing his discharge. The precls
stage of the proceedings al which sucn OF
der may be made, is matter OF munlciE
Al regulation exclusively, and not to b
complained Of by any other Government
In a case of this kind, Government b'
comes politically responsible oniy' whe
its tribunals of last resort are shown
have rendered unjust and injurious lpag'
6ent in matters not doubtful. 10 the o
adjustment and elucidation OF this primo
ple, no nation has lent its authority mo-
effeclually than Great Britain, AIexa
der Mcleod having his option el.ne' % G
prosecute a writ of error from me ?
preme Court Of New York, which nj
been rendered upon his application lot
discharge, to the Supreme Court OF :
United States, or TO submit his case 70
decision of jury, preferred the iatt
deeming it the readiest mode of obtain
liberation, g. the result has, fully sustain
the wisdom of his choice. The mani
in which the, issue submitted was tri
viii satisfy the EAglsh Government 4
the principles Of Justice will never fail
Hovern the enlightened decision Of
American tribunal. cannot fail, he
ever, to suggest to Congress the prop
", and in sOthe degree, the necessity