Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-12-12
1)oIititol,
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Feilow citizens oCtH StnMe
and Of The House Of Representatives.
Being su denly called, in the midst of the
last session of Congress, by painful dispensa-
ton of Divine Providence, to the responsible
station which now hold, | contcnted myself
with such communications to the Legislature as
the exrency of the moment seemed to require.
The country was shrouded in mourning for the
loss of the venerated Chief Magistrate, and all
hearts were penetrated with grief Neither the
time nor the occasion appeared to require or JUS
tty on my part, any general expression OF pollt-
ical opinions, or any announcement OF the prlncl-
ples which would govern me in the discharge OF
the duties to the performance Of which had
been unexpectedly called. trust, therefore,
that it may not be deemed Inappropriate, II a
vail myself of this opportunity of the reassem-
bling of Congress to make known my sentiments
in "a general nlanner, IN regard to the policy
which ought to be pursued by the government,
both in its intercourse with foreign nations and
in its management and administration of internal
affairs
Nations like individuals in a state Of nature,
are equal and Independent, possessing certain
rights, and owing certain duties to each other,
arising from their necessary and unavoidable re-
lations; which rights and duties there Is no
common human authority to protect and enforce.
Still there are rights and duties binding i'll NOR
ais, in conscience and in honor, although there
is no tribunal to which an injured party can ap-
peal but the dslntarested Judgment OF mankind,
and ultimately the arbtrament of the sword
Among the acknowledged rights of nations is
that which each possesses, Of establishing that
form of government which it may deem most
conducNc 10 the happiness and prosperity of It's
own citizens, of changing that form. as clrcum-
stances may require; and of managing its inter
nal affairs according to It's own will. The peo-
pie of the United States claim this right for
themselves and they readily concede 1t to 9TH
ers. Hence it becomes an imperative duty not
to interfere in the government or internal policy
of other nations; and although we may sympa-
thize with the unfortunate or the oppressed eve
rywhere, in their struggles for freedom, our prin
ciples forbid us from taking part in such foreign
contests We make no wars to promote or to
prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones to maintain any
/ theory of balance of power; or to suppress the
actual government which any country chooses
to establish for ITSELF We instigate no revolu-
tions, nor suffer any hostile military expeditions
| to be fitted out in the United States, to invade
the territory or provinces of friendly nation
The great law of morality ought to have a ma
tional, as well as a personal and individual ap'
plication We should act towards other nations
as we wish them to act towards us and justice
and conscience should form the rule of conduct
between governments, instead OF mere power
self-interest or the desire of aggrandlzement-
/ To maintain a strict neutrality IN foreign wars
to cultivate friendly relations, to recprocate eve
ry noble and generous act, and to perform pune
tually and scruoulously every treaty obligation
these are the duties which we owe to other
States and by the performance of which we best
entitle ourselves to like treatment from them /;
and if that, in any case, be refused, we can en-
force our own rights with justice and clear
conscience.
In our domestic policy, the constitution will be
my guide; and inq1estions ofdoubt, sha Il look
for its Interpretation to the Judicial decisions Of
that tribunal which was established to eXpound
it, and to the usage of the government, sanction
ed by the acquiesence of the country. regard
all its provisions as equally binding. In all its
parts it is the will of the people, expressed in
The most solemn form, and the constituted au-
thorities are but agents to carry that will into
effect. Every power which it has granted is to
be exercised for the public good but no pre-
tence of utility, no honest conviction, even, OF
what might be expedent, can Justify the assump-
ton of any power not granted. The powers
conferred upon the government and their dIstr-
button to the sev"rl departments, are as clearly
expressed in that sacred instrument as the I'M
perfection of human language will allow; and
deem it my first duty, not to question its wisdom,
add to its provisions, evade its requirements, or
nullify its commands.
Upon YOU, fellow-citizens, as the representa-
tives of the States and the people, is wisely de-
volved the Legislative power shall comply
with my duty, in laying before you, from time to
time, any information calculated to enable you
to discharge your high and responsible trust, for
the benefit ofour common constituents.
NV opinions will be frankly expressed upon
the leading subjects of Legislation; aud if, which
do not anticipate, any act should pass the two
Houses of Congress, which should appear to me
unconstitutional, or an encroachment on the just
powers of other departments, or with provisions
hastily adopted, and likely to produce consequent
!, ces injurious and unforeseen, | should not shrink
from the duty of returning it to you, with my
reasons, for your further consideration. Beyond
, the due performance of these constitutional obli-
cations, both my respect for the Legislature, and
my sense of prOpriety, will restrain me from any