Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fe7oaU-citi<ens of the Senate,

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lature as the exigency of the moment 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 occrsion
appeared to require or to Justify, on my part
any general expression of political opinions, or
any announcement of the principles which
would govern me in the discharge of the du-
ties, to the performance of which had been
] so Unexpectedly called. trust therefore,
that it may not be deemed inappropriate, if
avail myself of this opportunity of the re-as-
sembling of Congress to make known my SEN
timents, in general manner, in regard to the
policy which ought to be pursued by the gov
ernment, both in its intercourse with foreign
nations and in its management and admins
trations of internal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in state of ma
ture, 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 pro-
| tect and enforce. Still, they are rights and
duties, binding in morals, in conscience and
in honor although there is no tribunal to which
an injured party can appeal but the disinter-
ested judgement of mankind. and ultimately
the arbtrament 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 prosper
! ity of its own citizens; of changing that form
as circumstances may require; and of mana
ging its internal affairs according to its own
will The people of the United States claim
this right for themselves, and they redily con-
cede it to others. Hence it becomes an i'm
perative duty not to interfere in the govern
ment or internal policy of other nations; and,
although we may sympathize with the unfor-
tunate and the oppressed, every where, in
their struggles for freedom, our principles for
bid US from taking any part in such foreign
contests. We make no wars to promote or to
prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones; 10 maintain
any theory of a balance of power or 10 sup
press the actual government which any coun-
try chooses to establish for itself We insti-
gate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile mil
itarv expeditions to be fitted out in the Uni
ted States to invade the territory or provinces
of friendly nation. The great law of NOR
ality ought to have national, aswell as a per
sonal 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 conduct between gov
ernments, instead of mere power, self-interest
or the desire of aggrandizement. To main
tain strict neutrality in foreign wars, to cul-
| tivate friendly relations, to reeiprocate every
noble and generous act, and to perform pune
tually and scrupulously every treaty obliga-
tion-these are the duties which we owe to
other States, and by the performance of which
we best entitle 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.
In our domestic policy, the Constitution
will be my guide; and in questions of doubt
I shall lock for its Interpretation to the judi
cial decisions of that tribunal. which was es-
tablished to expound it, and t the usage ot
the Government, sanctioned by the acquies
cence of the country. 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, and the constituted authorities
are but agents to carry that will into effect
Every power which it has granted is to be ex-
ercised for the public good; but no pretence
of utility, no honest conviction, even, of what
might be expedient, can Justify the assump-
tion of any power not granted. The powers
conferred upon the government and their dis
tribution to the several departments, are a:
clearly expressed in that sacred instrument a:
the imperfection of human language will allow
and ! deem it my first duty, not to question
its wisdom, add to its provisions, evade its re
Iquirements, or nulffy its commands
! Upon you, fellow citizens, as the represen
tatives of the States and the people, is wisely
4 devolved the legislative power. l shall com
Iply with my duty, in laying before you, from
time to time, any information calculated to en-
able you to discharge your high and responsi
BILE trust, for the benefit of our common con
stituents.
My opinions will be frankly expressed upol
the leading subjects of legislation; and il
which do not anticipate, any act should pas
the two Houses of Congress which should ap
pear to me unconstitutional, OF an encroach
ment on the Just powers Of other departments
or with provisions hastily adopted. and likely
to produce consequences injurious and un
foreseen, should not shrink from the duty O
returning it to you, with my reasons, for YOU
further consideration. Beyond the due per
formance of these constitutional obligations
both my respect for the legislature and my
sense of propriety, will restrain me from any
attempt to control or influence your proceed
ings. With you is the power, the honor anc
the responsibility of the legislation of The
country.
The Government of the United States is
limited Government. 1t is confined to th'
exercise Of powers expressly granted, ant
) such others as may be necessary for carrying
those powers into effect; and it is at all time
an especial duty to guard against any infringe
ment on the just rights of the States. Owe
the objects and subjects entrusted to Con
gress, its legislative authority is supreme. Blu
here that authority ceases, and every citizer
who truely loves the Constitution, and de
sires the continuance of its existence and it
blessings, will resolutely and firmly resist an.
interference in those domestic affairs. whcl
the Constitution has clearly and equivocall,
left to the exclusive authority of the States
And every such citizen will also deprecat
useless irritation among the several member
Of the Union, and all reproach and crimina