The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
Fell0ao- Citizens Of the Senate

-batlOn Oh DIVINE PROVIDENCE 10. Ine FeSpOH-
sible station which Inow hold, contented
rnyself'with such communications to the Leg
islature as the exigency Of the Government
seemed to require. The country was shroud-
ed in mourning for the loss Of its yenerated
Chief Magistrate, and all hearts were penetra-
ted with grief. ..g + Y + ...g.re III 100 VII,
y, Neither the time nor the occasion appeared
torequire to justify, on my part, any gen,
eral expression of political opinions, or any
announcement of the principles which would
govern me In the discharge 4of the duties, to
the performance Of which, i had been uneX-
pectedly called. trust, therefore, that it
may not be deemed inappropriate, if avail
myself of this opportunity on the rc-assem-
bling of Congress to make known my sen
timehts, in a general inannerin regard to the
policy whichoughtto be pursued by the Gov
ernmentg bothin its intercourse with foreign
nations, and in its management and admins
tfation of internal affairs. ''--.--. Z,
sNations, like individuals ina state of ma
ture, are equal and independent, possessing
certain rights, AMI owing certain duties to
each other, arising from their necessary and
unavoidable relations: which rights and du-
ties there is no common human authority to
protect and enforce. Still, they are rights
and duties binding in morals, in conscience,
and in honor, although there isno tribunal to
which an injured party can appeal, but the
disinterested judgment, Of mankind, and ID
timatelY the arbitrament 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 conducive to the happiness and prosper
ityof its own citizens; of changing that form,
as circumstances may require: and OF mana
ging its internal affairs according to its own
will.
The people Of the United States claim this
right for themselves, and they readily concede
tito others. Hence it becomes an imperative
duty not to interfere in the Government, or
internal policy ofother nations: anil although
we may sympathize with the, unfortunate or
the oppressed everywhere in their struggles
for freedom, our principles forbid us from ta-
king gany part in such foreign contests. We
make no wars to promote or to prevent sue
cessions to thrones: 10 maintain any theory
of the balance Of power: or to suppress the
actual Government which any country choo-
ses to establish for itself.
We instigate no revolutions, 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
lawof mortality ought to have a National as
well as personal and individual applica-
tion. P'p'"' t1
We shoulda 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 pow
eryself interest, or the desire of aggandise-
ment To maintain strict neutrality in For
cign Wars, cultivate friendly relations to re-
ciprocate every noble and generous act, and to
perform punctually and scrupulously every
Treaty obligation.-the are the duties which
we owe to, other States, and by the perform
ance Of which we best entitle ourselves t
like treatment from them: or if that in an.
case be refused, we can enforce our own right
with Justice and clear conscience.
Ii, oar domestic policy, the constitution
will amy guide: and in questions Of doubt
shalllook for its Interpretation to the judi
cial decisions Of that tribunal which was es
tablishsd to expound it, and to the usage
the government, sanctioned by the acquies
cence OF the country. regard al ils PROVE: !:
ions as equally binding. In all It's parts u J
the will Of the people expressed IN the mos
solemn form, and the constituted autnorue
are but agents to carry that VIII ln'o eilec'
Every power which it has granted, is to
exercised for the publicgood but no pretenc
of utility; no honest conviction, even,
what might pc expected, can Justly 'ne "a, u
sumption of any power not granted. In
powers conferred upon the g1Selllnlelle ~ az
their distribuuonto the several ceparlmsn
are as clearly expressed N sllas ins.iunisH y,
as the lmperieSlon % nuilsn sun, ~
allow: and deem II my nIst uuVy, nos
question its wisdom, aaa 70 iIs prEslSlon -. Oon
evaae us Requirements qnrei'1i " "' ly ~ wa
maIus. 11,s =, s.,,o,, o;.;,ons astbe Renrese,
opon {oI ~ So S.0,". asd the rsonle ;s y;se
tatlyes q tng psel;'s eiio st,v H. 4, coy
deyolyed the Leeisatise pow1ii e., sa
ply WIN my uuty, ~ ayiiiS peio.I yTo, aio
time 70 time, any ihloilna'lIn aao~ III oos,,o
enable you 70 dlsSnaige yvul nlsn aie iespo
sible trust, ior 'ne psnSn' u " oui colli'P
constituents. stituenist .3t. .5a, i6 ,6e,
My opinion will be frankly expressed up
the leading subjects OF Legislation, and
whichI donot anticipate, any acts sho!
pass the two Houses OF Congress, viii
should appear tonne unconstitutional, or
encroachment on the Just powers oi ou
departments, Or with provisions hasl
adopted, and likely to produce consequen