The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-12-11
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and of the House ~ ces:
| Being suddenly calel 1.pf the
last sesslun VI Cong,.ss ,tpen.
ssIion Of DIVINE Providsf yponsl.
be station U hirh nov hold, u Conlehted nv.
felf with such communications 10 The Leesla
iu'e as the exigency Uf the momen; seemed
TO require. The country ~ss shrouded IN
mourning for The loss Of it's venerable Chief
Msg's,sa-e. and all hearts were penetrated
~rh SFfT. Neither the lime nor the occs.
zion appeared TO require or 10 justify, on my
part any genera - PRESTON Of political opin.
ions, or any announcement Of the principles
Which would govern me in the discharge Of
the duties 10 the perfor mance of which had
been 90 unc xpectedly called. | trust, there
fore. that i, may not be deemed inupprop' p'is,e,
lif | Bvs,l m,eelf Of The opportunity of the re.
assembling Of Congress to nuke known my
sentiments, in general manner, in repard TO
the policy which ought to be pursued by the
Gosernmen', both 10 i's management, and ad
min'sir ation OF rn'e.nal afairs.
Nations, like individuals in state Of mature,
are equal end dependent, possess ng certain
rights. and o~Ing certain duties TO each oIher
arising from their necessary and unavoidable
relations; which rights aud duties there is no
common human authority TO protect and en-.
force. Sill, they are rights and duties. bind
ing in morals, IN conscience, ard 10 honor, sl.
though there 10 no tribunal to which an in
lnted part, can appeal but the dlsinter rested
judgment Of mankind, and ultimately The or
bhrameUt Of the sword.
Among the ackno ~ledged rights Of nations
is that form Of governnen, ~hch It may deem
most conducive TO the happiness and prosper.
ily OF rs c~n cillzans Of changing that form,
as circumstances may require and of mana
ging its internal sffairs according to lis own
will. The people of the United States claim
this rich, Cor themselves, and they readily
copcede it 10 Others. Hence il becomes an
! imperative duty not 10 interfere in the govern
mert or internal policy Of oher nations and,
although We may syTpa'hise With the uofor.
'uua'e or oppressed, everywhere, in ihelf
struggles for freedom, our principles fui b d US
from taking auy par. in such foreign contests.
We make no ~ars 10 promote or to prevent
success,aa 20 ,hroae- |; 10 maintain airy theory
OF balance OF power; or TO euppress The &C
'u1l government which any country chooses
to establish for ITSELF We in-liga,e no revo.
lutlons, ror suffer any hostile military exyedl.
.ions to be f'ed oul in fhe Uated Sia,cs to
invade The territory or provinces oil friendly
nation. Ths grea, law OF morality ought to
have a rational, as well as a personal and in.
DIV ldusi application. We Should act towards
other nations as se wish them 10 &C, towards
US; and luslce and conscience should form
the rule of cooduct between governments, in
s,esd of mere power, self.in'eresl or the dc.
sire Of scgrand cement. To maintain s!ric,
neura!uy in lo'eign ~srs. 10 cultivate friend
Ily relations, To reciprocate every noble and
generous act, sad to perform puncUaIIy aud
scrupulously every treaty oLligston-,hesc
are The dInes which we owe TO other States,
and by the performance Of VII ch we beet en-.
title ourselves ,ohke treatmen, from them
or It that in any case, be refused, we can en-.
force our own rights with justice and clear
conscience.
ln our domestic policy, the constitution
will be my guide; ,nd in questions Of doubt,
shal. look for i's Interpretation 10 the judi.
cial decis ons Of lha, tribunal, which was es
tabllshed to propouni it. and to the usage Of
the government ssuctioned by the acquies
nsnce of the country, | regard all u DO:
VISIONS as equally b,ri'ng. In all It's FafN''o
ls the will OF lhe peopi', expressed IN the mos,
solemn form, and the ,onstiu'ed suIhorities,
are but agents to carry that will into effect.
Every power which II has granted is TO he
exercised for the pubic good but no p' etence
OF UTILITY, no honest conviction, even, OF What
nigh, be expadeni, ca, Justify The assump
ton of any power not granted. The powers
conferred upon the govrrnmen, and their ds.
tr,bution to the several departments, are as
c'eatl, expressed in tha, sacred INSTRUMENT as
the imperieN ept hum,n language will al
low, and my flint duty, 90, to ques.
uon It's sisdd6, d to in provisions, evade
it's requremen % nullify its commands.
Upon you, fello~.ciizers, as the repressn.
ta,Ives Of the states and tn, people, Is wisely
devo!ved the legislative power. | shall CON.
ply with my duty, in laying before you, from
time 10 time, any Information calculated TO
enable YOU to discharge your high and re
sponsible trust, for the bent fl Of cur common
cansaia,Ens. ~nmmDnunmnn
Ny opinion will be frankly expressed upon
|, IL oc nd a