The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-12-05
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Being suddenly called, in the miist Of the
last session of Congress, BY a painful dis.
pensation OF Divine Providsnce, 10 The rc.
spousibie station which / now hold, con-
tented myself with such communications to
The Legislature as the exyeacy of The mo
ment seeuied 10 require. The country was
si,inuded in mourning for the loss of its ven-
Grated Chief Magistrate. and all hearts were
penetrated with grief Neither The time nor
1.-The occasion appeared 10 require or 10 justify
or. my part, any general expression OF pohi-
ical opiaiorls, or any announcement OF the
principles which would govern me in the
discharge Of The duties 10 the performance
OF which had been 50 unexpectedly called.
trust, therefore, that il may not be deemed
inappropriate, If laval myself of this op-
porunity OF the re assembling of Congress
to ulaks' known my sentiments, In a general
maln.e- g, regard 10 the policy which ought
to lie puf.ued by the Gosernmeni, both in its
intsl. .su.se with foreign nations, and in lis
manae and administration oil internal
affairs.
Nations, like individuals in . state of na.
lure, are equal and ins ependsnt, possessing
cer,.in rights, sid owing certain duties 10
each other, arising from their necessary and
unavoidable relations; which rights and du.
|
/ protect and enforce. Still, they are rights
and duties binding in morals. in conscience
and in houor, although there is no tribunal
to which an Injured party can appeal but
The disiiierested Judgment OF mankind, and
ultimately the arbfframent Of the sword.
| Among the acknowledged rights of ma
tious is that, which each possesses of estab-
l>hirg tnat form OF government which il
may deem most conducive to the happiness
aud prosperity OF its own ciizens of chan
gIng that form, az circumstances may re
quire; and oi managing its internal affairs,
accoIdieg 10 its own will. The people of
lLs United States claim this right for them
selves, aud they readily coucede il to others.
Hence II becomes an Imperative dity not TO
Interfere III the government or internal poll
cy OF other nations; and. although we may
slmpsihize with ihs unfortnuaie or the op.
pressed. every where. ia their struggles for
treedomi our principles forbid us from la
kirg any part in such foreign contests.
We make no wars 10 promote or 10 pre-
vent suec.s,ions 10 thronos 10 maintain any
theory al balance OF power; or to sup
press the actual government which any
country chooses TO establish for itself. We
insig.ie no revolutions. nor suffer any hos
| tile military expeditions 10 be fitted out in
he United States 10 invade the territory or
provinces OF friendly nation. The great
law OF morality ought 10 have a national, as
well as a personal and individual, applica
lion. We should act towards oIher nations
as we wish them 10 act towards ms and JUS
| tice aud col,sci,pce should torn the rule ot
conduct between governments, instead Of
mere power, seifiniere.t, or the desire of az.
grandizement To maintain strict neuiraIi.
| " in foreign wars. 10 cultivate friendly rela-
tons, to reriprocaie every noble and sener.
ous act, aud 10 perform punctualiry aud scru.
pulousiy evefv treaty obligation hese are
the duties which we owe TO o.her States,
and ny the performances OF which we best
enlllle ourselves 10 like treatment from
then' or II that, IN any case, be aefused.
we eau enteses oss gym r;shss with ias:ics
and clear conscience
In our domestic policy, the Constitution
will he my guide ard IN questions Of doubt
shall look foi us Interpretation To The judi
eiai decisions ot that tribunal, which was
established TO eAponnd II, and To- the usage
oi The Government, sanctioned by the az
qulescenee OF the country. ! regard all us
provisions as equally binding. In all 1t,
parts IL is tie will of the people, EXPIRE sed
IN the mosi solemn form, aud the constituted
authorities, are but aIenis 10 carry that will
INTO effect Every power which It has gran
ted lsio be exercised Tor the public good
but no p'elence utility, no no e-t CON-
viction, even, ot what might be expedent,
can justify the assumption OF any power not
granted The powers conferred upon the
government and their distribution to Inc sew, sew,
e'a, uepaluue;ns, are craIt eApeasssu s:.,..
Of human l.ngn.ya Will sIlou anj II deeu,
!, nv frst au,v M, n o,,s s,;ou ;,s w;sdo,n
ada n ;,s n,oy,,ons sy,de lis reop;rem.n,s
~ nnllifv i,.con,,nands
en"'.1.
upot' YOU ,eh"w ci'AenS' as Ine repre-
se'i,'is ;n,. .ts, =, .ns Iaes a.u ,ne people,
m'Sey "s'o'Ne'' ;.t 'us 'sss avg power: J
Aa' onpiy WIN my "u'y. III 'ayH's before
you, Ir",n ''',e 70 nme. any .l'or,ilallon ca,
eula'ea 10 e"a,Is 20" 10 u'7cna'Ss your h,.'
a''u 'espouT''ne uus. 'o' 'he oe"eh' o' our
eoni'no" 'o"S'''"en'S'
NV opinions will be frankly expressed u2-
on the leading subjects oI legislation and
if, which do moi anticipate, anv act shonld
pass the two Houses of Congress which
shonld appear to me unconstitutional. or an
em roachmaut on the just movers of other
departments, or with provisions hastily a.
dopted. aud likely To produce consequences
injnrio.s and unforeseen, | shonld not shrink
from the duty OF returning it 10 you with my
reasons. for yourfurther consideraiicn Bay
ond thu due performance of these canst,iu-