Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1850-12-06
Presidents Message.
RROr-adsen, orhe Senate,
and offh, House of Repr,seutal

ana cj m HoHse ~ htprtscHfaiiptt
Being suddenly called, in the mids, Of the
l,s, session Of Congress, By painful dspcn.
saiion Of Divine Providence, to the response.
bic station which now hold, conienicd my
self with such communications 10 the Legisla-
,uro as the eIigcney Of the momcn, seemed
to require. The country was shrouded in
mourning fOr the loss Of is yenoraisd Chief
Magistrate, and all hearts were penetrated
with grief. Neither the time nor the coca.
sion seemed TO require or to justify, on my
part. any general expression o: political opn.
ions, or any announcement Of the principles
which would govern me In the discharge Of
the duties TO the performance of which ] had
been so Unexpectedly called. trust, there
fore, that il mly no, be deemed inappropriate
Il ! svail myself Of this opportunity Of the re-
ASSEMBLING of Congress 10 make known my
sentiments, in general manner, 10 regard to
the policy which ought to be pursued by the
Government, both in is intercourse with Tor.
cign nations. and in i;S management and AZ.
ninisiraiion Of internal affairs,
Nations, like individuals In state of GA.
lurc, are equal and independent, possessing
eers.n rights, and owing certain dgties to
each other, ,rising from their necessary and
unavoidable relation. which rights snd do.
ties there is no common human authority TO
protect and enforce. Slill, they arc nights
snj duties, binding In morals, in conscience,
aod in honor, although there is no tribunal TO
uhich aa injured party can appeal butthc dis.
interested judgment Of mankind, and ultimate
" iIs arb.iramcnl of the svor
Among the Acknowledged right, of nations.
is tilsi which each possesses Of establishing
,hal form Of go,cmmcn, which i, NAV deem
mot conducive TO the happiness and prosper.
ily of is own citizens Of changing lha, form,
- circumstances may require; and Of nana.
siug i.s Internal affairs according to It's own
will The people Of the United States claim
ihi, nigh, for themselves, and they readily
conrcto Il u others. Hence II becomes an
imperative duty not 10 interfere IN the govern
mentor internal policy Of other nations ,rd.
although va may symra,hisc with ,hc unfor-
tuulir or tie oppressed, everywhere, in their
struggle, or freedom our principle, forbid
u- from taking any part 10 such foreign eOn.
iss,s W. make ~ var to promote or to
Prc,ea, SUGGESTIONS to thrones 20 maintain
any theory Of a balance Of power OF to sup
press ,he lciral covcmmru, which any com.
i,y choosc, 10 establish fpr ils5lf We ius,i.
gate 600 revolutions, nor suffer any hostile a.
pcduons to be fitted on, in he United States
10 invade the territory or province ola fr.cad.
ly n,uon. The grca, law of morality ough,
~ lave a national % well a. personal and
individual applicluJn We should net to-
ward, nations rs So wish them 10 act t0vard,
us and justice aud conscience should form
lha su'c og conduct bcWcca governments, iu.
.irlI of mere power. seltig,er,,t, ~ ,hc js.
sir ofarg1ndzrm-ni To maintain s,rci
neutrality IN foreign wars, 10 cul,.yalc fugal.
ly relations, to rccipro-atc every noble anil
surrous ar', and to perform panc,ually and
s,uru'0usly every 'rc.'y obligation -lhcse
are .ae duiir. which vc owe to other State,
and by ,hc Performance Of which wc L-,' en-
t,Ic our,sl,c, Ia Ike treatment nom them,
or rif,h1i, 10 any ease, be refused, we can cu.
iorcr orr own rights with justice and clear
conscience.
In orr domestic policy. ,hc Constitution
Will b. my guide and 90 question, fdoubl.
,la'l look fr iis Interpretation to the u.
licll decisions of ihs, tribunal, which VS.
Established ,o ryround il, and TO ihc usage of
Doe Government, sanctioned hy The acguir,-
ccncr uf,bc country. lugah all its VTu,.,-
ion, a, equally bDiIar IN ~ i,s part, Il ),
,hc wIl or the psop'r, expressed 10 the mos,
solemn form, ani thc constituted author,Ics,
ars but agent, to carry Ga, win into cacc-.
Every power which /, has granted }, TO bo
exercised ior the public rood bui 90 pre-
,carr Of Utility, no honc., conviction, even,
Of what micl, be cxpcdicnt, can Justify the
as.uml ton Of any power not granted. The
power, conferred upon the Government and
their distribution to ,hc several department.,
arc as clearly expressed in that sacred ius,ru-
msnt "a, The impcrfcciion Of human language
will allow aud | deem It my first daty, not
70 question IT, wisdom, add to IT, provisions,
c,alt It's requirements, or nullify 1t, eon-
mlaIs.
Upon SOU. lclloN-c.tizsns, as the rsprcsel.
uii,c- of the States and the people, b, wisely
dcvolyci the legislative power. ! shall com
ply with my duty, in laying before YOU, from
tim. ,o time, any information calculated 70
enable you to discharge your high aud rcspoh.
..br trust hr the benefit Of our common con.
srluruls.
Ms opinions will be frankly expressed uP-
on the leading subjects Of legislation; and Il,
which | do no, anticipate, any act pass the
two Houses 81 Congress which should appear
to me to be unconstitutional, or an cncroach.
ucut on The just power Of other departments,
O, with provisions hastily adopted, and likely
to produce consequences injurious and unfor.
seen, | should not shrink from the duty ofrc-
turning j, to you, with my reasons, for your
further consideration. Beyond the due per-
iomlnce Of these constitutional obligations,
both my respect for tie Legislature and my
sense Of proprieiy will restrain me from any
attempt to control or influence your proceed
iars. With you is the power, the honor,
and the responsibility Of tha legislation Of tho