Washington telegraph., 1850-12-25
,hESIDENE,S MESSAGE.
E.,ou Cnieens Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives..

49, last session of Congress, by painful
',..sS,ensation Wv of Divine Providence, 10
,.spousible station now hold, con-
."n,ed myself with such communications
q .s,he legislature as the exigency Of the
.,nent seemed to require. The cou,i-
' was shrJuded in mourning for the
Loss of its venerated Chief Magistrate.
/ nd all hearts were penetrated with
..;sf Neither the time nor occasion APP
ees,red to require, or justify, OH my part.
fuv general expression of political opin-
;on. or any announcement OF the prlnci-
,,es which would govern me IN the dis
charue of the duties, to the performance
of which / had been SO unexpectedly
called. I trust. therefore, that It may
no, he deemed inappropriate 1t ava''
mvself of this opportunity vi the re'as-
.emblins of Congress to make known my
sentiments, in general manner, III re-
pard TO the policy which ought 10 De pur-
sued by the Government. both III ITS M
,ercour<e with foreign na'ion-. AMI u>
maua cement a,,l administration "' i'''ef'
nal affairs. Nations, like udisid,'a'S lii
a state of nature, are equal aud inue-
pend-nt. possessing certain r'SfiS, an"
ar,,n,r certain duties 10 each other, arts
s,, from heir necessary and umavOida-
hle relations; which rights aud duties
there IS no common human authority 10
,,o,ect and enforce. Still, there are
riohts and duties, binding In morals. III
cou.cience and in honor. although there
{. no tribunal TO which an injured party
,,n appeal but the disin:erested Jndg-
,,ent of mankind, aud ultimately the ar
bi,rament of the sword.
Among the acknowledged nights oi
nations, is that which eat II possesses OF
establishing that form OF government
which it NAV deem most conductive To
the happiness and prosperity ut lis clti-
zeus. cnanyi,,g that form as clrcun>'an-
.es NAV require, aud OF managing Its
internal affairs according 20 It's WILL
The people OF the United States claim
this right for themselves, and they readl-
" concede il to others. Hence it he.
comes an imperative duty not to inter
fere in the government, or Internai po'icy
of other nations. aud, although we may
.ympa,hise with the unf"rtui'ate or OPP
pressed everywhere. i'll sheir struggles tor
freedom. our principles forbid Us from Ia
king any part in such foreign contests.
But we make no wars - promote, OF
nreysnf. SUGGESTIONS 10 thrOnes-to HIa'n-
tain any theory Of balance OF power,
or to suppress the actual government
which any country chooses to establish
for itself We instigate no revolutions.
nor suffer any hostile military expedi-
xious to be fitted out in the United States.
TO invade the territory, or provinces OF
a friendly nation. The great law OF NOR
ality ought to have national. NJ Well AS
a general and individual appiication-
We should act towards other NATIONS as
we wish them to act towards us. and JUS
,;ce and conscience should form the rule
of conduct between governments. Instead
Of mere power, self-intereet. or the de-
sire of aggrandizement 10 MAINTAIN
strict neutrality i'll foreign wars-to c"l-
,iva,e friendly relations-'o reclpfocate
every noble and generous act. aud 10 per-
form punctuaily aud scrup"lou>Iy every
treaty obligation-ihe>e are the duties
which we owe to other States. aud ny
the performance of which we best euti-
tie ourselves TO like treatment from them;
or # that, it, amy case, be refused we can
enforce our own rgh:s with Justice aud
a GEAR conscience.
In our domestic policy. the Cons''t"-
ton will be my guide. and Ii questions
of doubt shall look for Its Interpretation
TO the judicial decisions OF the tribunal
which was established TO expound 1t. AL"
the usases of the Government sane
toned by long acqniescence I regard
all Its provisions as equally binding III all
its parts. 1t is the will of the people.
expressed in the most solemn form. aud
the constituted authorities are hut gents
to carry that will into effect. Every P'w-
er which it has granted is to tie exer-
cised for the public good. bnt no honest
conviction. even ot what might toe expe-
dent. can Justify the assumption OF any
power not granted. The powers c',irr-
red upon the Government AMI thef dis
tributiun to the several departments. are
as clearly expressed III that iu>'f'i''eni
ts IN. imperfeclinns of haman language
will allow, and deem it my first dnty
not to question Its wisdom, add u Its pro-
visions. eyade lis requirements. or null'fy
its commands.
Upon you. my fellow citizeus. as the
represeutat,ves of the States and the peo-
pie, is wisely devolved the leg'sla i've
power. l shall comply with my duty
in laying before you. from time TO t'ne'
anv information calculated to enable you
to discharge your high and Responsible
trust for the beuei: of our common con
stitu,ion. My opinions will he frankly
expressed upon the leading subjects of
legislation, ard if-what l do not antfci-
pate-aay acts should pass the two houses
Of Congress. which should appraf I" me
unconstitutional, or all encroachiiieht