The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-12-11
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The President of the United States,
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Being suddenly called. in the midst
of the last session Of Congress. By a
painful dispensation Of Divine Provi-
dence, to the responsible station which
| now hold, l contented myself with
such communications to the Legislature
a. the erigency OF the moment seemed
70 require. The country was shrouded
in mourning for the loss Of its yene-
rated Chief Magistrate. and all hearts
were penetrated with grief. Neither
the time nor the occasion appeared TO
require or to justify, on my part. any
general expression ofpolitical opinions.
or any announcement Of the principles
which would govern me in the discharge
ofthe duties to the performance of which
had been so unexpectedly called. l
trust, therefore, that it may not be
deemed inappropriate, If l avail myself
Of this opportunity Of the re-assembling
Of Congress to make known my senti-
ments, in a general manner. in regard
to the policy which ought to be pursued
by the Government, both in its inter-
course with foreign nations, and in its
management and administration Of In
ternal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in a state
Of nature, are equal and independent.
possessing certain rights. and owing
duties to each other. arising from their
necessary and unavoidable relations;
which rights andduties there is no COM
mon human authority TO protect and
enforce. Still, they are rights and du-
ties, binding in morals. in conscience,
and in honor, although there is no tri-
bunal to which an injured party can
appeal but the disinterested judgment
Of mankind, and ultimately the arbitra-
ment 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 prosperity its own
citizens; Of changing that form. as cir
cumstances may require; and Of mansg-
ing its internal affairs according to its
own will. The people of the United
States claim this right for themselves,
and they readily concede it to others.
Hence It becomes an imperative duty
not to interfere in the government or
internal policy Of other nations; and.
although we may sympathize with the
unfortunate or the oppressed, every
where, in their struggles for freedom,
our principles forbid us from takiny any
part in such foreign contests. We make
no wars to promote or to prerentsucces-
sions to thrones; tomaintain any theory
Of balance of power; or to suppress the
actual government which any country
chooses TO establish for itself. We
instigatc no revolutions, nor suffer any
hostile military expeditions to be fitted
out in the United States to invade the
territory or provinces Of a friendly ma
ton. The great law Of morality ought
to have national, as well as a personal
and individual, application. We should
act towards other nations as we wish
them to act towards us; and justice and
conscience should form the rule OF con-
duct between governments, instead Of
mere power, self interest, or the desire
Of aggrandizement. To maintain q
strict neutrality in foreign wars, to cul-
tivate friendly relations, to reciprocate
e:ery noble and generous act, and tc
perform punctuaIly and scrupulously
every treaty obliga.ion-these are the
duties which we owe to other States
and by the performance of whichwe bes
entitle ourselves to like treatment iron
them; or if that, in any case, be refused
we can enforce our own rights witt
justice and clear conscience.
In our domestic policy, the Consit
tuition will be my guide; and in ques
tions of doubt, l shall look for its in
depreciation to the judicial decisions o
that tribunal, which was established t.
expound it, and to the usage Of tn
Government, sanctioned by heacquies
cence Of the country. regard all it
provisions as equally binding. In al
Its parts it is the will of the people
expressed in the most solemn form, ant
the constituted authorities, are bu
agents to carry that will into effect
Every power which it has granted is t
be exercised for the public good; bu
pretence Of utility. no honest convic
ton, even, Of what might be expedIent
can iustify the assumption Of any pow
er not granted. The powers contcrret
upon the Government and their dlstrl
button to the several departments. arr
as clearly expressed in that sacred IN
strumeat as the .imperfection Of human
language VIII allow; and deem it m,
hrst duty, MT to qacstisn its wisdon