The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Felloac- Citizens of the Sepqte,
L.. r. ID Da,,..aca.,E,t..ae.


sation of Divine Providence, to the response
bic station now hold, i contented myself with
such communications to the legislature as the
exigencY of the moment seemed to require.
The country was shrouded in mourning for the
loss of its yenerated Chief Magistrate, and all
hearts were penetrated with grief Neither
the time nor occasion appeared to require, or
Justify, on my part, any general expression OF
political opinions, or any announcement OF the
principles which would govern me in the dis
charge of the duties to the performance OF
which / had been so Unexpectedly called.
trust, therefore, that it may not be deemed in
appropriate if | avail myself of this opportu-
nifty of the reassemb.ing of Congress to make
known my sentiments, an 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 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 project and enforce; STILL
there are rights and duties, binding in morals,
in conscience and in honor, although there is
peal but the disin.erested judgment of man.
kind, and ultimately the arbitrament Of the
sword.
Among the acknowledged rights of nations,
is that which each possess, of establishing that
form of Government which it may deem most
conducive to the happiness and prosperity Of
its citizens, changing that form as circumstan--
ces may requires and of managing its internal
affairs according to its 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 oppressed every where
in their struggles for freedom, our principles
forbid US from taking any part in such foreign
contests. But we make no wars to promote,
or prevent, SUGGESTIONS to thrones--to main
tain any theory of balance of power, or to
suppress the actual Government which any
country chooses to establish for itself. we
instigate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile
military expeditions to be fitted out in the Un-
tied States, to invade the territory, or provin-
ces, of a friendly nation. The great law OF
morality ought to have national, as well as
general 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 aggrandzement. To maintain
a strict neutrality in foreign war--to cultivate
friendly relations-to reciprocate every noble
and generous act, and 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 treatment from
them; or if that, in any case, be refused, we
can enforce our own rights With justice ana a
| clear conscience.
In our domestic policy, the Constitution will
| be my guide, and in questions OF doubt shall
look for its Interpretation to the judicial decis-
| ions of the tribunal which was established to
expound it, and to the usages OF the Govern
ment, sanctioned by long acquiescence. re.
gard all its provisions equally binding, IN all
its parts. 1t is the will of the people, express
| ed in the most solemn form, and the constltu-
ted authorities are but agents to carry that vii
into effect. Every power which it has granted
| is to be exercised for the public good, but nc
honest conviction even of what might be expe.
dent, can justify the assumption OF any power
not granted The powers conferred upon the
| Government, and their distribution to the sew
eral departments, are so clearly expressed II
| that instrument as the imperfections OF human
| language will allow, and deem it my first duty
not to question its wisdom, add to its provls
ions, evade its requirements, or nullify its com
mands.
Upon you, my fellow-citizens, as the repre-
sentatives of the States and the people, !
wisely deyolved the legislative power. | shal
comply with my duty in laying before You
from time to time, any information calculated
to enable you 10 discharge your high and re
i sponsible trust for the benefit of our common
constituents My opinions will be frankly ex
pressed upon the leading subjects of legisla
ton, and if-what do not anticipate-any ac
should pass the two houses OF Congress
which should appear to me unconstitutional,
an encroachment upon the just powers OF tn
other Departments, or with provisions hastll,
adopted and likely to induce consequences In
furious and unforeseen, shall not shrink from
the duty of returning it to you, with my rea
sons, for your further consideration. Beyon
the duty of performance of these constitu
tional obligations, both my respect for the LIE
gislature, and my sense Of propriety, will re
strain me from any attempt to control, or lnt1u
ence your proceedings. With You is the pow
: er, the honor and responsibility, of the legis
lation of the country. The Government OF tn
United States is a limited government 1t
confined to the exercise of powers expressl
granted, and such others as may be necessar
; for carrying those powers into effect, and 1t
at all times an especial duty to guard agalns
Infringement on the just rights OF the State
Over these objects and subjects the leglslaty
authority of Congress is supreme; but aer
that authority ceases, and every citizen VIII
truly loves the Constitution, and desires tn
!, continuance of its existence and IFS blessing
will resolutely and firmly resist any interfe
ence in those domestic affairs which the Coz
stitution has clearly and unequivocally left
the exclusive authority Of the States; and ev
: nv such citizen will also deprecate useless irr
!. tation among the several members of the Ul
: ion, and all reproach und elimination tendr
' !, to ALLEVIATE one portion of the country fro
! another. The beauty of our system Of Go
: ernment consists, and its safety and durabili
= must consist, in avoiding mutual collisions al
: encroachments, and in the regular, separate
{ ton of all, while each is revolving in its oN
distinct orbit.
The Constitution has made it the duty
e the President to take care that the laws
E faithfully executed. In Government Ill
: ours, in which all laws are passed by majo
ty of the Representatives of the people, Al
: these Representatives are chosen for su
.Lo~t .,,ar;ads tbaf any iniurious or obnoxio