Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-12-09
VINDECAIOEe.
S AUN ON F.:
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellow- Citizens of the Senate
and House of REPRESENTATIVES.

lte1itG suddenly called, IN the midst OF the last
sessloHof Congress, by painful dspensa,ion
OF DIVINE Providence, to the responsible station
which now hold, contentcd myself with such
Communications 10 the Legislature as the ext
gency OF the moment seemed to require The
country was shrouded in mourning for the loss
OF isssenelated Chief MAC istlate, and all hearts
We're penetrated with grief. Neither the time
nor the occasion appeared TO require or Justify
on my part, any general expression of political
oplnlons, Or any announcement of the princi-
pies which would govern nae in the discharge
OF the duties to the performance of which had
been so unexpectedly called. trust, therefore,
that 1t may not be deemed inappropriate if a.
vail myself OF this opportunity OF the re-assem-
Dung OF Congress to make known my sentiments
III general manner, in regard to the policy
winch ought to be pursued by the Government
both IN It's intercourse with foreign nations, and
in It's management and administration Of inter
mai affairs.
Nations, like individuals in state of nature,
are equal and independent possessing certain
rights, and owing certain duties to each other,
arising from their necessary and unavoidable
relations; which rights and duties there is no
common human authority to protect and en-
force. Still they are rights and duties, binding
in morals, III conscience, and in honor, although
there Is no tribunal to which an injured party
can appeal but the disiuteresed Judgment of
manklnd and ultimately the arbitrament OF the
sword.
Among the acknowledged tights of nations is
that Which each possesses of establishing that
form OF government which it may deem most
conducive to the happiness and prosperity OF its
own cltizena Of changing that form, as circum-
stances may require and OF managing its inter-
nal affairs according to its own viii. The peo-
pie OF the U. States claim this right for them
selves, and they readily concede it to others
Hence i becomes an Imperative duty not to in
terfere III the government or Internal policy OF
other nations; and, although we may syinpa,
thlze with the unfortunate or oppressed, every
where, In their struggles for freedom, our prin-
c!ples forbid Us from taking any part i'll such for
elSn contests. We make no wars to promote or
10 prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones: to maintain
any theory OF baiance of power; or to sup
press the actual government which any country
chooses TO establish for itself. We instigate no
revolutions, nor suffer any hostile military expe-
dltlons TO be fitted out in the U. States to Invade
the territory or provinces Of a friendly nation
Inc great law OF morality ought to have a ma
tlonal, as well as a personal and individual APP
plicatlon. We should act towards other nations
as we wish them to act towards us and justice
! and conscience should form the rule of conduct
| between goyernments instead of mere power
selt-lnterest or the desire of aggrandizement-
10 maintain strict neutrality in foreign wars
to cultivate friendly relations, to reciprocate ev.
| cry noble and generous act, and to perform pune
loally and scrupulously every treaty obligation
these are the duties which we owe to Other
States, and by the performance of which we
| best entltle ourselves to like treatment from
| them or If that, in any case, be refused, we
can enforce our own rights with justice and a
| clear conscience.
III our domestic policy, the Constitution will
be my guide and in questions Of doubt, l ehal
look Tor It's interpretation to the lndicial decis-
| ions OF that tribunal which was established tc
| expound it, and to the usage of tho Government
sanctioned by the acquiescence otthe country
regard Its provisions as equally binding. Ir
all its parts it is the will of the people, express
ed IN the most solemn fern, and the constituted
authorities, are bat agents to carry that will inlc
effect. livery power which it has granted is te
be exercised for the public good but no pre-
tence OF utility, no honest conviction, even o.
what might be expedient, can Justify the US
sumption OF any power not granted. The pow
ers conferred upon the Government and thei
distribution to the several departments, arc as
clearly expressed in that sacred instrument as
the lmperection of human language will allow;
and deem il my first duty, not TO question its
WISDOM add to Its provisions, evade it's require.
ments, OR nullty it's commands.
Upon you, fellow citizens, as the representa-
tives of the States and the people, is wisely de-
volyed 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 trast
Tor the benefit Of our common constituents.
MY opinions will be frankly expressed upon
the leading subjects of legislation aud if, which
IN to III,
Houses OF Congress which should appear to me
unconstitutional, Or an encroachment Oh the JUS,
powers OF other departments, or with provisions
| hastily adopted, aud likely 10 produce conse.
quences injurious aud unforeseen, | should moi
shrink from the duty OF returning it to you, with
my reasons, Tor your future consideration. Be-
! yond the due performance OF these cons luton
al obligations, both my respect 10 the Legislature
and my sense OF propriety will restrain me from
any attempt 20 control Or influence your pro-
ceedIngs. With you is the power, The honor, &
me responsibility Of the legislation OF the coul
try.
The Government of the Unitec, States is {
limited Government. 1t is confined to the eX
eFclse OF powers expressly granted and such 9th
els as may be necessary ior carrying those pow
els INTO effect and it is at all times an especia
duty to guard against any Infringement OIL tn.
|
subjects entrusted to Congress- its legslativ,
authority is supreme. But here that authority
ceases and every citizen who truly loves th'
| Constitution, and desires the continuance
OF its existence and its blessings, will
resolutely and firmly resist any interference
IN those domestic atails which the Consitu
tor, has clearly and uneqnivocally left to TIT
exclusive authority Of the States. And ever,
such citizen will also deprecate useless irritation
among the several members of the Union, an,
all reproach and elimination tending to alienat'
one portion of The country frons another. TIT
beauty Of our SYSTEM .ef Government consists
and lis safety and durability must consist in a
Voldlng mutual collisions, and encroachments
and in the regular separate action of all, whi
each is revolving in its own distinct orbit.
The constitution has made il the duty of tn
President to lake care that the laws be faithful
executed la a Government like ours, in whic
all laws are passed by majority of the repre-
sentatives ofthe people, and these Representa-
tiyes are chosen for such short periods, that an
!, injurious or obnoxious law can very soou be +,