The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FtHcV.citis Of the Senate,
and House Of RcprcStniGti

NNe @NN'"N - - r. ''''''
Being suddenly called, in the midst Of
the last session OF Congress, by IA pains
lul dispensation Of Divine Providence,
to the responsible station which now
hold, conieuted myself with such com
municalions to the Legislature as the ex-
igeucy of the moment seemed to require
The country was shrouded in mourning
for tn, loss of the vcnefated ChieI Mag
Istrale, and all hearts were penetrated
with grief. Neither the time nor the
occasion appeared to require or to JUS
tify, on my part, any general expression
of political opinions, Or any announces
mcnt Of the principles which would gov
ern me in the discharge OF the duties to
Tie performance of which had been so
Unexpectedly called. thrust, therefore,
that ii may not be deemed inappropriate,
if avail myself of this opportunity Of
the rc-assembllng Of Congress to make
known my sentiments, in geneal man
ner, in regard to the policy which ought
to be pursued by The Government, both
in its Intercourse with foreign nations,
and its management and administration
of internal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in a state Of
nature, are equal ani independent, pos
ses,ng certain rights, and owing certain
duties to each other, arising from their
necessary and unavoidable relations
which rights and duties there is no com.
mon human authority to protect and en-
force. Sill, they are rights and duties,
binding in morals, in conscience, and r
honor, although there is no tribunal to
which an injured party can appeal but
the dlslnierestcd judgment of mankind,
aud ultimately the arbiirament of the
sword.
Among the acknowledged rights Of
nations is that which each possesses Of
establishing that form of governments
which il may deem most conducive to
the happiness and prosperity Of It's own
citizens; Of changing that form, as cir
cumstances may require and Of man
aging its internal affairs according to its
own will. The people Of the United
States claim his right Cor themselves
and they really concede it 10 others.
Hence it becomes ali imperative duty
not to interfere in the government or ln-
ternal policy of other nations and, al
though we may sympathlzc with the un-
fortunate ur the oppressed, everyW here
in their struggles for freedom, our prin-
ciples forbid us from taking any part in
such foreign contests. We make nc
wars to promote or to prevent success
sions to thrones TO maintain any theory
of balance Of power or to suppress
the actual government which any coun'
try chooses To establish for itself We
insigate no revolutions, nor suffer any
hostile military expeditions to he fitted
out in the United States to invade tht
territory or provinces of friendly na-
lion. The great law Of morality pugh
to have a national, as well as persona
and individual, application. We shoul'
act towards other nations MS we wlsl
them to act towards us; and Justice anC
conscience shoui form the rule OF con
duct between governments, Instead o
mere power, seliiuieresl, or the d-sr'
Of argrandizement To maintain
strict neutrality in foreign wars, 10 cul
tiyate friendly relations, to reclprocat
> every noble ANA generous act, aud It
perform punclually ana scrupulou>ly ey
cry treaty obligation-ihese are the du
lies which we owe to other States, an'
by the performance of which we hes
enlile ourselves to like treatment from
them; or if that, in any case, be refused
we can enforce our own rights with JUS
tlce aud a clear conscience.
In our domestic policy, the Constiiu
ton will be my guide; and in question
of doubt, shall look ior its interpretd
lion to the Judicial decisions "f thai tri
bunal, which was established TO eXpoun'
it, and to the usage of the Government
sanctioned 10y the acquiescence Of th
country. | regard all its provisions a
equally binding In all its parts 1t i
the will of the people, expressed IN tn
most solemn form, aud the constituted
authorities are but agents to carry tina
! will into effect, Every power which
A has granted is to be exercised for the pub
lie good but no pretence of utility, II
honest conviction, even, Of what nigh
, be expedient, can justify the assumption
of any power not granted. The power
=, conferred upon the Government, aud lhei
distribution to the several department,
=, are as clearly expressed IN that sacre
instrument as the imperleclion of humaI
i language will allow; and deem it m
n first duty not to question It's wisdom