Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1850-12-19
Presidents MESSAGE,
WAsTiNsroS, Dec. I'd, 1850.
Fedop citizens IF Sene.c
end UJusc cf R,nycsc,t,,t;,oc

ana A'V" ~ Representatives..
Being suddenly called in the midst Of
the las! session OF Congres, by u painful
dispcn,a,ioa Of Divine Providence, TO the
responsible station now hold. con,en,ed
nyse'. With such communication to IN,
Legislature ~ the exigency OF the ,nement
seemed to require.
The country was shrouJed in mourning
for the loss Ct lis venerable Chief Magi,.
trate, and all hearts were penetrated with
grief; neither IT., time nor occasion ap.
peared to require or justify on my pnrt.
my general expression y! political opinions
Or any general announcement " the pr;-'
cples which would govern me in '"e d''-
charge of the duties to the performance o'
which, | had been SO unexpectedly call
ed. trust, therefore, that IL may not Ds
deemed inappropriate II avail myself 81
his opportunity OF the rcassemblng oil Con.
lsess, to make known my sentiments IN
igneral manner in regard to the policy
wich ought to be pursued by the govern.
met. both in its intercourse with foreign
lnaiDnS, and its management and admins.
Ilralnn of internal affairs. Nations, like
individuals in n state OF nature, are equal
land niependen,, possessing certain rights
sing from nece ,sary and unavoidable rela.
Itinm. which rights and duties there IS no
common human authority to protect and
Ienuce still there are rights and duties
binding in morals, in con science and IN non.
Tor, although there is no tribunal TO which
an Injured party can appeal, but the diSin-
teres,ed Judgment of mankini, and ulti-
matev the aibi,rament OF the sword
Among the acknowledged rights of nations,
is tha, which each possesses of establishing
that form OF government which may be
most conducive to the happiness and pros.
peri,y of its citizens, changing that form as
circumstance, may rcqn!e, and oil mana.
giny its internal affairs according TO ito
will. The people o! the United States
claim this :igh, for themselves and they
lreadilv concede it TO others; hence 1t be.
comes an imperative duty not to interfere
lin the government or internal policy OF
other nations, and although we NAV svnpa.
,nise Win me unfortunate or oppressed
everywhere in their struggles for freedom,
our principles forbid Us taking any part ir
such foreign contests; but we make no wars
70 promote or prevent succc isionS to thrones
TO maintain any theory OF balance OF
power, or TO suppress the actual govern
meni which any country chooses to ss!ab-
| iish for ilselt. We in,tigate no revolutions,
nor suffer any hostile military expeditions
to be fitted out in the United States 10 in
wade the territory or provinces OF friendly
nation. The great laws of morality ough,
to have n national as well as personal and
individual applica :ion; we should act to-
wards other nations rs we wish them TO
act towards us, and Justice and conscience
Ishould be the rule of conduct between Iov-
Iernments, instead of mere power, seii-lnter-
lest, or the desire OF aggrandizcment To
maintain strict neutrality in foreign wars,
TO cultivate friendly relations. to rccipro.
cate every noble aud generous act, and TO
lperlorm punc,ually and Scrupulou,ly eve.
Irv treaty obligation these are the duties
T which we owe to other States, and by tho
performance OF which we best entille our.
selves to like treatment from them, or il
that in any case be refused, we can enforce
our own rights with justice. and clear
conscience In Our domestic policy. the
Constitution will be my guide, and in ques.
: ,ions Of doubt shall look Tor its intcrpreta.
= ton to the judicial decision of the the tribu.
= nal which was established to expound IT,
c and to the usage of the government sane.
9 toned BY the aqIie,cence ot the country;
: regard all its provisions equally binding in
= all its parts: il is the will OF the people ex
h pressed in the most solemn form, and the
y con ltu,ed authorities are but agents .C
: carry that will into clfec,--every power
which it ha, granted Is TO be exercised fol
$ the public good: but no honest conviction
c even of what might be expedient can JUS
c lily the assumption cf any power not grant
II ed The powers conferred upon the gov
c ernment, and their distribution to the sew
y. eral departments, are as clearly expressed il
'i that instrument rs the imperfections Of hu
=" man language will allow, and deem it m!
s. first duty not to question its wisdom. ad'
&c to i,s provisions, evaie its requirements. q
'e nulily its commands. Upon you, my fel
Il low citizens. rs the representatives OF tn
State and of the people, is wisely devolve
T. the legislative power; shall comply wit
he my duty in laying baiore you from time
VI time any information calculated to enab!
es YOU to discharge Your high and honorab'
n trust Tor the benefit OF your common con
1T stituents.
rs NV opinions will be frankly expresse
&c upon all the leading subjects OF Legislation
ns and #, wha, do not anticipate, any Al
'c y. should pass the two Houses OF Congres
", which shall appear 10 me- unconstitutIon,
on or an encroaahment upon the just powe
of other departments, or with provision
=. hastily adopted, and likely to produce co
';n SEQUENCES injurious and unforeseen. lShou
-. not shrink from the duty Of returning It
y, -, ,,,,,l ,x,,, ra.eops toy vour filrther cO