Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-03-13

sional wars, which SO often occur between
bordering nationsl Is there one who
would not prefer free intercourse with
her to high duties on all our products and
manufactures which enter her ports or
cross her frontiersl Is there one who
would not prefer an unrestricted commu-
nication with her citizens, to the frontier
Instructions which must occur Il she re.
mains out Of the Unionl Whatever IS
good or evil 10 the local institutions OF
Texas, will remain her Own, whether an
nexed to the United States or not. None
oil the present States will be responsible
for them, any more than they are for the
local institutions of each other. They
have confederated together lor certain
specified objects. Upor the same princi.
pie that they would refuse to form per-
oetuai unian with Texas because Of her
local institutions, our forelathers would
have been prevented from forming our
present Union. PefcieyiEg no valid Oh.
lection to the measure, aud many rea-
sons for its adoption, vitality affecting the
peace, the safety, and the prosperity OF
Doth countries, | shall, on the broad prln-
ciple which formed the basis aud produce
ed the adoption OF our constitution, and
not in any narrow spirit Of sectional poli-
cy, endeayor, by all constitutional, hon
orabie, and appropriate means, to constr
mate The expressed will of the people and
government Of the United States, by the
re annexation of Texas to our Union at
the earliest practicable period.
Nor will il become in q less degree my
duty to assert and maintain, by all con
stiiuti0nal means, the right of the United
States TO that portion OF our territory
which lies beyond the Rocky mountains.
Our title to the country o. the Oregon is
"clear and unqueslionable," and already
are our people preparing 10 perfect that
lille by occupying it with their wives and
children. But eighty years ago, cur pop
ulation was confined on the west by the
ridge Of the Aleghanies. Within that
period within the lifetime, might say,
Of some OF my hearers--our people, "a
creasing to many millions, have filled the
eastern valley of the Mississippi; adven-
turously assembled the Missouri to its
head springs; and are already engaged IN
establishing the blessings OF selfgovern-
ment in valleys, of which the rivers flow
TO the Pacific. The world beholds the
peaceful tfumphs of the industry of our
emigrants. To us belongs the duty Of
protecting them adequately wherever
they may be upon our soil. The jprs.
dictlon Of our laws, and the benefits OF
our republican institutions, should be ex.
tended over them in the distant regions
which they have selected for their homes.
The increasing facilities of intercourse
will easily bring the States, of which :he
formation in that part OF our territory
cannot be long delayed, within the sphere
of our federailye Union. In the mean,
time, every obligation imposed by treaty
or conventional stipu!ations should be sa.
credly respected.
In the management Of our foreign rela-
tions, ii will be my am TO observe care.
iul respect for the rights OF other nations,
while our own will be the subject OF con-
slant watchfulness. Equal and exact JUS
tice should characterize all our Intercourse
with foreign countries. All alliances
having a tendency to leopard the welfare
and honor of our country, OF sacrifice any
one OF the national interests, will be stu
diously avoided; and yet no opportunity
will be lost TO cultivate a favorable I'M
Outstanding with foreign governments, by
which our navigation and commerce may
be extended, and the ample products of
our fertile soil, as well as the manuiac-
lures of our skiliul artizans, find ready
market and renumeratng prices in for
eign countries.
In taking scare that the laws be faith.
fully executed" strict performance Of
duty will be exacted from all public Off
GERS. From those officers, especially,
who are charged with the collection and
disbursement: Of the public revenue, will
prompt and rigid accountability be re-
quired. Any culpabIe failure or delay
on their part 10 account foi the moneys
intrusted 10 them, at the times and in the
manner required by law, viii, in every ia
stance, terminate the official connexlon OF
such deiaulting officer with the government
Although, in our country, the chiel
must almost Of necessity be
chosen by party, and Stand pledged to
its principles and measures, yet, in his
official action, he should not be the Pres
ident OF part oaly, but of :ae whole
people of the United States. While he
executes the laws with an impartial hand,
shnnks from no proper responsibility, and
faithfully carries out in the executive de-
partment Of the government the princi.
plies and policy OF those who have chosen
him, he should not be unmindful that our
fellow-citizens who have differed with
HIM in OPP mon are entitled TO the full and
free exercise Of their opinions and judg-
menls, and that the rights Of all are eni-
tied 10 respect and regard
Confidently relying upon the aid and
assistance of the coordinate departments
oftbe government in conducting our pub
lie affairs, enter upon the discharge of
the high duties which have been assign
ed me by the people, again humby sup
plicating that Divine Being who has
watched over and protected our beloved
country from its infancy 10 the present