The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-12-02
PRESIDENTS
Nj Nj !; !; s s 4 G {; E .
BX TELEGRAPH
For Miners Express,

For Miners Express.
Felloao- Citizens of the Senate,
and Of the House Of Representatives.
Being suddenly called, in the midst of the las
session of Congress, by painful dspensation Of
Divine Providence, to the responsible station
that now hold, | contented myself with such
communications to the Legislature rs The exl
gcncies Of the moment seemed to require. The
country was shrouded in mourning, for the loss
ofits venerated Chief Magistrate; all hearts were
penetrated with grief. Neither the time nor the
occasion appeared to require, or justify, on my
part, any genera! expression of political opin.
ions, or any announcement Of the principles
which would govern ne in the discharge Of the
duties, to the performance of which, | had been
SO unexpectedly called. l trust, therefore, that
it may not be deemed inappropriate, if avail
myself of this opportunity, of the re-assembling
Of Congress, to make known my sentiments, il,
q general manner, in regard to the policy which
ought to be pursued by the Government, both
in its intercourse with foreign nations, and in its
management and administration Of internal af-
fairs.
Nations, like individuals, in a state Of nature,
are equal and independents possessing certain
rights. and owing certain duties to each other,
arising from their necessary and unavoidable re-
lation, Which rights and duties there is no COM
mon human authority to protect and enforce
Still there are rights and duties, binding in mo-
rails, in conscience, and in honor, although there
is no tribunal to which an njured party can ap-
peal, but the diSinterestcd Judgment ofmanknd
and ultimately the arbitraiment ofthe sword A.
mong the acknowledged rights ofnations, is that
which each possesses Of establishing that form
Of government which it may deem most condu-
Give to the happiness and prosperity Of its citl-
zens-changing that form as circumstances may
81 t,,r
cording to its will. The people of the United
States claim this right for themselves, aad they
readily concede it to others. Hence, it becomes
Our imperative duty not to interfere in the gov
ernment or internal policy Of other nations; and
although we may symplthse with the unfortu-
nate or oppressed, every where, in their les
for freedom, our principles forbid Va from taking
any part in such foreign contests. But we make
no wars to promote prevent successons to
thrones, to maintain any theory Of the balance
of power, or to suppress the actual government
>, which any country chooses to establish for itself
We instigate no revolutions, nor suffer any hos
tile military expeditions to be fitted in the Uni
ted States to invade the territory or provinces of
foreign nation. The great law Of morality
ought to have national, well as personal
and individual application. We should act to-
wards other notions, IS we wish them to act to-
wards US; and justice and conscience should
dictate the rule ofconduct between governments
instead Of mere power, selt-interest, or desire Of
aggrandisement. To maintain a strict neutrali-
" in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly relations,
to recprocatc every noble and generous act-to
perform punctually and scrupulously, 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 be refus-
ed we eau enforce our right with justice and
clear conscience. In our domestic policy, the
Constitution will be my guide; and IN questions
OF doubt, 1 shall look for its Interpretation to the
tribunal which was established to expound it.,
and to the usages Of the government, sanction
,-ea by long experience | regard all its provis
ions as equally binding in all its parts it is the
will of the people, expressed in the most solemn
form. The constituted authorities are but agents
to carry that will into effect. Every power in
which it has been granted is to be exercised for
the public good; but no honest conviction even of
what might be expedlent, can justify the assunp-
ton of any power not granted. The powers con-
terred upon the Government, and their lstrbu
ton to the several departments, are as clearly
expressed in that instrument, as the imperfec-
tons of the human language will allow; and
deem it my first duty not to question the wisdom
pf its provisions, evade its requirements, null
hfy its commands
Upon you, my fellow citizens, as the
REPRESENTATIVES Of these States and the
people, is wisely dcvolved the legislative
power. shall comply with my duty in
laying before you from time to time any
information calculated to enable you to
discharge your high and responsible trust
for the benefit Of your common constltu
ents. My opinion will be frankly ex-
pressed upon the leading subjects Of legis-
iation, and ii what do not anici pate, any
act should pass the two Houses of Con-
gress, which should appear to me uncon-
stitutional, or an cncroachment upon the
just powers of the other departments, or
with provisions hastily adopted, and likely
to induce consequences injurious and un-
fnreseen, shall not shrink from the duty
Of returning it to you, with my reasons, for
your future consideration.
Beyond the duty Of performance Of
these constitutional obligations, both my
respec, for tho legislature, and my sense
of propriety, will restrain me from any
attempt to control or Influence your pro-
ceedings. With you is the power, the
honor and responsibility of the legislation
of the country. The government Of the
United States is q limited government; it,
is confined to the exercise Of powers ex-
pressly granted, and such others as may
be necessary for carrying those powers in.
to effect, and it is at all times an especial
! duty to guard against any infringement
on the just rights Of the states, over the
objects and subjects Of legislation. The
authority Of Congress is supreme; but
There that authority ceases. and every citi-
zen who truly loyes the constitution, and
desires the continuance Of its existence
Sha Shda its blessings, will resolutely and firm
ly resist any interference in those domes-
tic affairs which the constitution has
clearly and unequivocally left to the ex-
{ elusive authority Of the states, aud every
such citizen will also dcprecate useless ir-
ritation among the several members ef the
Union, and all reproaches and crimina.
finna tendino to nlienate one portion of