The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-12-13
THE POST.
ATHENS, FRIDAY. DEC. !3, 1850.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellov citizens of the Senate,

EellOW ctfi=cns ot the Senate,
anil Of The House Of Representatives.:
Being suddenly called. in The midst Of
the last session of Congress, by painful
dispensation Of Divine Providence. to tho
respons e station which now hold. | con.
tented myself with such com mnnlcn''ons to
the LngiS!a urr MS the rx'gorcy af he mo-
mcnt seem d to require. The country was
.hrouded in mourning Tor the loss of It's
venerable Chief Magistrate. nnd all hearts
were penetrated with grief Neither III"
time nor the occasion appeared to require
or to justify. on ny part, any Eoncrni eX'
preston 1t po i'ital opin ons, or any nn-
nouncement Of the principles which would
govern NO in the discharge OF the dn'ies Ia
the performances Of which had been SO un'
cspccledIy called. trust, th' re.nrr, TINT
j, muy not be deemed inappropriate, if
avail myself of this opportunity. OF the re-
assembling "f Congress, to make known my
sentiments, in n general mnnner, in re-nr'!
to the policy which ought 20 he pGrsnrd By
tho government. both in It's intercourse with
foreign nul"ns. aud III its management and
administration "f internal affairs.
Nations. like individuals ia a state Of IN
ture, are equal and independent, possess
ing certain rights, md owing certain dutic'
to each other, arising from th"ir necessary
and unavoidable relations. which rights and
~, ,l1GWmon Enm,n anlhorl
DQUlIlGHS H.lnrca. Still, they rrt
rights and duties. binding in morals. ir
ron.ciencp. and in honor. although there j.
no tribunal to which an injured party cat
appeal, but the t.s Interested Judgment I"
mankind, and Ultimately the nrb'romcnt o
the swurds
Among the acknowledged rights Of ma
tons, is that, which euch possesses OF es
tablisbiny that form Of government which
it NAV deem most conducive to The happi'
nc.s and ptU.peri'y Of It's own citizens; OF
changing that form. as circumstances may
require: and Of managing ita in''rnal hi'
fairs according 10 its own will. Tho pro'
ME of tho United Safes claim This rlgh
for themselves, and they readily conc' de il
tive duty, not to interfere in the govern
ment or internal Eoicy Of other nations
and although we may sympa,hise with the
unfortunate or the oppressed, every where
in thu ir struggles Tor freedom, our rr,ncl-
ples forbid US from ,nking any part in such
foreign contests. We make no wars "a
promote or to prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones
to maintain any 'leory Of a balance of pow
er; or to suppress the uc'ual government
which any country chooses TO establish io'
itself. We ihstigate no revolutions, nor
suffer any hostile military expeditions to be
fitted out in the United States to invade the
territory or province Of friendly nation
The great law OF morality ought To have q
national. as well as q personal ard lndivId.
uaI application. We should oct towards
other nations as we wish them to act 10
wards US; and justice end conscience
should form the rule Of conduct between g"'
vernments, instead of meIe power. selfln.
terest, or the power of nggrund cement. To
maintain q strict neutrality in foreign
states, to cultivate friendly relations. to re-
ciproca,e every noble and generous act. ant
TO perform punctually and scrupulous!y ev'
cry treaty obligalion-these are the duties
which we owe TO other states, and by the
performance of which we best entit'e our
selves to like treatment from them, or Il
that, in any case he refused, We can en-
force our own rights with justice and
clear conscience.
In our domestic policy. the constitution
will be my guide; and inquestions OF doubt
| shall look for its interpretation TO the Ju'
dicial decisions OF that tribunal, which was
established TO expound it. and TO the usage
of the Government, sanctioned by the ac'
quiescence Of The country. ! regard all IT.
provisions as equally binding. In oil it,
parts it is the will the people, expressed
in the most solemn form, and the constitu
aed authorities, are but agents TO carry tha
will into effect. Every power which it has
granted is to be exercised for the public
good; but no pretencc Of utility, no homes
conviction, even, of what might be expedi
ent. can justify the assumption Of any pow
er not granted. The powers conferred up
on the Government and their distribution tl
the several departments. are rs clearly ex.
pressed in that sacred instrument as the i'm
perfection of human language will allow
and deem it my first duty, not to guess
tiou its wisdom. add to its provisions. O.
vade ito requirements, or nullify Its COM
mands.
Upon you. felIow.citizens. ss represen'
tatives OF the States and the people, is wise.
" devolved the Legislative power. l shal
comply with my duty in laying before you