The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FtllosO-c,tiseas Of the Senate.

ana OF fhe House OF RepreSentGfsUes:
Being suddenly called, in the midst Of
Of the last session Of Congress, by painful
dispensation of Divine Providence, 10 the
responsible station which / now hold i con.
tented myselfwith such communications to
the Legislature as the exigency of the mo-
ment seemed to require. The country was
shrouded in mourning for the loss Of its
venerated 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 ex.
preston ofpolitical opinions, or any an.
nouncement Of the principles which should
govern me in the discharge of the duties to
the performance of which had been SO
unexpectedly called. trust, therefore,
thatit may not be deemed inappropriate, il
laval myselfof this opportunity Of the re.
assembling of Congress to make known my
sentiments, in general manner, 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 and independent, posses
sing certain rights, and owing certain du-
ties to each other, arising.rom their neces-
sary and unavoidable relations; which
rights and duties there is 10 common hui
man authority to protect and enforce. Still
they are rights and duties binding in NOR
ais, in conscience, and in honor, although
there is no tribunal to which an injured
party can appeal but the disinterested judg-
ment Of fmankind, and ultimately the arbit-
rament Of the sword. i sfg
Among the acknowledged rights of ma
tons is that, which each possesses of es.
tablishing that form Of government which
it may deem most conducive to the happi-
ness and prosperity of its own citizens;
of changing that form as circumstances
mayrequire; and of managing its internal
affairs according TO its own will. The peo-
pie 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, al
though we may sympathize with the unfor-
tunate or the oppressed, everywhere, in
their struggles for freedom. our principles
forbid us from taking any partin such for
eign contests. We make no wars to pro-
mote or to prevent successions to thrones;
to. maintain any theory Of a balance of
power; or to suppress the actual govern
ment which any country chooses to estab-
lish for itself. We instigate no revolutions,
nor suffer any hostile military expeditions
to, be fitted out in the United States to in
wade the territory or provinces Of friend
ly nation. The greatlaw 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 con-
science should form the rules of conduct,
between governments, instead of mere
power, self-interest, or the desire of aggran.
dizement. To maintain striot neutrali-
ty in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly re-
lations, to reciprocate every noble and
generous act, and to perform punctually
and scfipulously every treaty obligation
these are the duties which we owe to
other States, and by the performance of
which we best entitle ourselves to like treat
ment from them; or if that, in any case, be
refused, we can enforce our own rights with |
Justice and clear conscience. W. y
In our domestic policy, the Constitution
viii be my guide; and in questions ofdoubt
! shall look for its Interpretation to the ju-
dicial decisions OF that tribunal which was
established 10 expound it, and to the usage |
Of the Government, sanctioned by the ac-
quiescence Of the country. Iregard all
is provisions as equally binding. In all
its parts ii is the will ofthe people, express
sed in the most solemn form, and the con-
stituted authorities, are but agents to carry
that will into effect Every power which |
II has granted is to be exercised for the |
public good; but no pretence Of utility, NO |
honest conviction, even, Of what might be
can justify the assumption Of
any power not granted. The powers con-
feff9dsupon the Government and their dis.
tributop to the several departments, are
asscleafly expressed in that sacred insirl,
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