Democratic banner., 1850-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
siisens of The Senate,

Being suddenly called, !. the midst Of the last
session Of Cehgress, BY q paiaful dispensaiion Of
Divine Providence, to the Responsible station i
now hold, I coDtentsd myself with such cOminu.
nications to the legislature as the exigvncy Of the
moment seemed to require. The country was
shrouded in mourning fR the loss Of its venera.
ted Chief Magistrate, snd an hearts were pene.
trated with grief. Neither the time nor Occasion
appeared to require, or justify, on my part, any
general expression Of political opinions, Of any
announcement Of che principles which would
govern me in the discharge q the duties to the
performance of which l have been SO ~unexpeci-
eddy called. 1 trust, therefore, that It may not be
deemed inappropriate il I avail myself Of this
opportunity Of the re-assembiag Of Congress TO
make known my sentiments, in 4 general manner,
On regard 10 The policy wliciought to he pursued
By the Government, both in its intercourse ri
Foreign Nations and it, management and aduin-
jstration OF internal affairs. Nations, Ike indi-
vidIais in a state Of nature, are equal and indie
pendent, possessing certain rights, and owing Ger.
tain duties To- each other. arising from their nee
essary and unavoidable relations; which rights
and duties there il no nommon human authority
to protect and enforce. Still, there are rights
and duties, bindiHg in morals, I'M conscience and
honor, although there Is no tribunal to which an
SnjuTsd Pasty can appeal but the disinterested
judgment Of mankind, and ultimately the srbis
traDenf Of the sword.
Among the acknowledged rights Of nations, is
that which each possesses, Of establishing that
form Of Government whiIhi il may deem most con-
ducive to the happiness and prosperity Of its citi.
zenS, changing that form as circumstance may
require, and Of managing its internal affairs &C.
ccrding to its will. The people Of the United
States Claim this right for themselves. and they
readily eoncede it to others. Hence it becomes
an imperative duty, not to interfere in the Gov
ernmsnt, or internal policy Of other nations, and,
although we may synpathi1e with The uhfortun-
ate or oppressed every where, in their struggles
for frssdom, our principles forbid Us from taking
aeY part in such foreign contests. But we make
10 wars to promote, or prevent succession TO
thronss-to maintain any theory Of q balance OF
power, q to suppress the actual Government
which any country chooses 10 establish for itself.
Weinstiesie no revolutions, nor suffer any hos.
de military expeditions to be fitted out in the
United States, to invade the territory, or provin-
css, q . friendly nation. The great law Of mo-
raIity ought to have q national, Is well - Q gen.
efal and individual application. We should art
toward ether nations as we wish them to act to-
ward %, and justice and conscience should form
The rule Of conduct between Governments. in.
stead Of mere power, self interest or the desire
Of aggrandiZement. To maiHtain . strict neutral.
ity IN foreign wars-tS cultivate friendly rela-
tioDs-to reciprocate every ssSls and generous
acs. and to perform punctuaay and scrupulously
every treaty o~bligation-thess- are the duties
which We owe to other States, and BY the per-
Torrance Of which we best entitle ourselves TO
like treatment from them; or il that, u sny case,
b refused, We can enforce our own rights with
Justice and Q clear conscience.
In our domestic policy, The Constitution will
be my guide, and in questions Of doubt / shall
look for its Interpretation to the judicial decisions
Of the tribunal which was. established TO ~exIound
It, and to the usages Of the Government, sane.
toned by long acquiescence. / regard all its
provisions as equally binding, in oil parts. 1t is
che. wiIl ofthe people, expressed in the most SOL
emn form, and the constituted authorities are but
agents to carry that will into effect. Every pow
o. which It has granted is to be exercised for the
Pzblic good, but no honest conviction even Of
what might be expedisnt, can justify the sssump-
tion Of any power not granted. The powers con-
ferrsd upon the Government, and their distribu.
ton to the several departments. are a. clearly ex.
pressed in that Instrument % the imperfections Of
human language will allow, and deem It my first
duty net 70 question its wisdom, add to its pro.
visions, evade. is requirements. or nullify its
commands.
.Upsn you. my feilow.ciiiEsns, a. the represen-
tstiye o. Of the States and the people,, is wisely
dsvolved the legislative power. / shall comply
with my duty in Iayiag before you, from time to
time, any Information calculated to enable you to
discharge ysar high and responsible trust for the
benefit Of our common constituents. My opin.
ions will be frankly expressed upon the leading
subjects Of Legislation, and ir--what I do not an
ticipate-sny act should pass the tive houses Of
Congress. which shouId not appear to me eonsti.
t~Htisnsl, or an enc9Oachment upon the Just pow
srseftke other Departments, or with provisions
hastily adopted and likely % induce consequen.
oss injurious and unforeseen, I shall not shrink
from Che duty Of returning it to you, with my res.
sons, FOR your further consideration. Beyond
The duty Of performance Of these constitutional
obligations, both my respect for the Legislature,
anday sense Of propriety, will restrain ne from
any iitsmpt 70 control, or influence your proceed
tngspeN VITA yoa' b the power, the honor and re-
sponsibility, Of The legislation Of the country
The Government Fl the United Ststss 10 q limited
government. Il 10 confined 10 the exercise Of
powers expressly granted, and such others %
may be necessary for carrying tboss powers into
anSA. and Il II NJ eli fimes an asnacisl dusv IA