The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-03

territories heretofore unoccupied the addition Of
new States to our confederacy the expansion of
free principles, and our rising greatness as ma
tion are attracting the attention of the Powers Of
Europe; and lately the doctrine has been brooch
ed in some of them, of a" balance of power" on
this continent, TO check our advancement. The
United States sincerely DESTROYS Of preserving re-
lations of good understanding with all nations.
cannot in silence permit any European interior
ence on the North American continent; and should
any such interference be attempted, will be ready
resist it at any and all hazards.
Itis well known to the American people and to
all nations, that this government has never inter
fered with the relations subss,ing between other
governments. We have never made ourselves par
ties to their wars or their alliances we have not
sought their territories by conquest; we have not
mingled with parties in their domestic struggles;
and believing our own form OF government to be
the best. we have never attempted to propa-
gate it by in,rigues, by diplomacy, or by force
We may claim on this continent like exemption
from European interference. The nations of
America are equally sovereign and independent
with those Of Europe. They possess the same
rights, independent of all foreign inleIposon. to
make war, to conclude peace, and 10 regulate
their internal affairs. The people of the United
States cannot, therefore, view with indifference
attempts of European powers to interfere with the
independent action of the nations this CONT
| entirely different from that of Europe. Jealousy
among the different sovereigns of Europe, lest any
one of them might become too powerful for the
rest, has caused them anxiously to desire the es-
tablishment of what they term the balance of
power" 1t cannot be permitted 10 have any APP
| plicatio on the North American continent, and
especially to the United States. We mus, ever
maintain the principle, that the people of this con-
nent alone have the right to decide their own
| nnrtiD nff horn nnatIt nfIOn
an independent state, propose to unite themselves
with confederacy, this will be question for
them and US to determine, without any foreign in
terpostiOn. We can never consent that European
| Powers shall interfere to prevent such a union,
because it might disturb the z" balance Of power"
which they may desire to maintain upon this con-
tinent. Near a quarter of a century ago, the
| principle was distinctly announced to the world
in the annual message of one of my predecessors,
that " the American continents, by the free and
independent condition which they have assumed
and maintain, are henceforth not TO be considered
as subjects for future colonization by any Euro
pean Power.'' This principle will apply with
greatly increased force, should any European
| power attempt to establish any new colony in
| North America. In the existing circumstances of
the world the present is deemed proper occa-
sion to Teiterate and reaffirm the principle avUw
ed by Mr.. Monroe, and to state my cordial con
currence in its wisdom and sound policy. The
reasser,ion of this principle especially in refer
to North America, is at this day but the pro-
mitigation Of policy which no European power
should cherish the disposition to resist. Exist
ing rights of every European nation should be
respected but it is due alike safety and our
interests, that the efficient protection of our laws
should be extended the whole territorial
limits, and that it should be distinctly announced
to the world settled policy, that no future
| European colony or dominion shall without our
consent, be planted OF established on any part of
the North American continent.
The subject of the Tariff is discussed at length,
and the reduction to strictly revenue standard
is strongly urged We give, at present the mi
tiatory paragraph on that subject, which covers
the whole ground, elaborated by the President:
"The attention of Congress is invited to The
importance of making suitable notifications and
reduc ons of the rates Of duty imposed by our pre-
sent tariff laws. The object of imposing duties
on imports should be to raise revenue to pay the
necessary expenses of government. Congress may,
undoubtedly, in the exercise of sound discretion,
discriminate in arranging the rates of duty on diff
ferent articles; but the Determinations should be
within the revenue standard, and be made with
the view to raise money for the support of the
Cover nmeDt."
Having discussed the evil and corruption grow
|
President directly recommends that Congress
make provision for total separation, and that
cons titutionol treasury be created for the safe
keeping Of the public money and he desires at
the same time I" that adequate provision be made
by law for its safety, and that all executive dis
ere ton or control over it shall be removed except
such as may be necessary in directing its dsburse-
ment in pursuance of appropriations made by
law"
He dwels but lightly on our Army and Navy,
and refers to the reports Of the Heads Of those
Departments, for full information in relation to
them. The following paragraphs close his re-
marks on this branch:
+" 1t has never been policy to maintain large
standing armies in time of peace. They are
contrary to the genius of our free institutions,
would impose heavy burdens on the people, and
be dangerous to public liberty. Our reliance for
protection and defence on the land must be mainly
on our citizen soldiers, who will be ever ready, as
they have been ready in times past to rush with
alacrty, at the call of their country. to her de-
fence. This description Of force, however, can
not defend our coast, hsTbOrs and inland seas, nor