Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE !
TeIegraphed by the o'Reiliy Line
FOR THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
FelIOr CiIi=sns Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.:

Being suddenly sailed in the midst of the las, ses
Of Congress by painful dispensation OF Divine Pro-
violence, TO responsible station which now hold,
contented myself with such communications the Lee
gsature the exigeneies OF the moment seemed
quire. The country shrouded in mourning by the
loss Of its venerated Chief Magistrate, and all parts
were penetrated with grief Neither the time the
occasion appeared require or Justify my part any
general expression of political opinions any
Of the principles which would govern IN the
discharge of the duties the performance of which
had been unexpectedly called. trust therefore, that
II may not be deemed inappropriate If avail myself oil
this opportunity oil the reassembng OF Congress, to
make known my sentiments IN general manner IN re-
gard % the policy which ought 10 he pursued by the
Government, both in its intercourse with foreign ma
TONS and in its management and administration oil inter-
nal affairs.
Nations, Ike individuals, in a state Of nature, are
equal and independent possessing certain rights and
owing certain duties each other, arising from their
necessary and unavoidable relations, which rights and
duties there is common human authority to enforce
Still they are rights and duties binding in morals,
conscience, and in honor, although there Is no tribunal
through which injured party can appeal but the inte
rested judgment of mankind, and ultimately the arbira
ment Of the sword.
Among tho acknowledged rights. of nations is that
which each possesses Of establishing that form OF gov
ernmen which it may deem most conducive to the hap
piuess and prosperity of its citizens, oil changing
that form crcum may require, and oil manaS
ing its internal affairs according to its own VIII. The
people Of the United States claim tis right Tor them
selves and they readily concede IL to others Hence
il becomes our imperative duty not TO interfere IN
the government internal policy OF other nations and
although may sympathize with the unfortunate or
the oppressed everywhere their struggles Tor freedom
our principles forbid US from taking any part In such for
eign contests. We make no wars to promote or pre-
SUGGESTIONS thrones, maintain theory OF
balance OF power to suppress the actual government
which any government chooses to establish Tor ITSELF
We instisae revolutions suffer any hostile militia
expeditions be fitted out in the United States to
invade the territory or provinces OF friendly nation.
The great law Of mortality ought ID have national
well personal individual application We should
act towards other nations We wish them TO act to-
wards us, and Justice and conscience should form the
rule Of conduct of governments instead OF mere power
selfinterest or the desire of agGrandzement To MAN.
tain strict neutrality foreign to cultivate friend
ly relations, recprocate every noble and generous
act and to perform punctuay and scrupuouSly, every
treaty obgation-these the duties which we owe to
other States and by the performance OF which we best
entte ourselves to like treatment from hem or If that
in any be refused can enforce our own rights
with JUS ticc and a clear conscience.
In our domestic policy. the Constitution will he my
guide and in questions Of doubt, shall look for its IN
depreciation the judicial decisions OF that tribunal
which established to expound 1t, and to the usage
OF the government sanctioned by the country regard
all its provisions equally binding In all ITS parts
Is the Will OF the people, expressed IN the most solemn
form, and the constitutional authorities are but the
agents carry that will into execution. Every power
which it has granted is to be exercised for the public
good bat pretence Of utliy-no honest conviction,
of what might be expedient-ean Justify the as
sumption OF any power not granted. The powers con-
ferred upon the government and their distribution 10
thu several departments, clearly expressed in
that sacred instrument the imPerlection of human
language will allow and deem il my first duty not
question its wisdom add to its provisions evade its
requirements, or nullify its commands.
Upon you, feOw-citizens, as the representatives OF
the States and the people, is wisely devOlved the egis
lative power. shall comply with my duties in laying
before You from time to time any information calculated
to enable You discharge your high and responsible
trust, for the benefit Of our common constituents.
Ny opinions will be frankly expressed upon the lead
ing subjects Of legislation and it, which do not antlci
pate, any should pass the two Houses of Congress
which should appear to me unconstitutional, or an en-
croachment the powers Of other departments or
with provisions hastily adopted and likely produce
consequences injurious and unforeseen should not shrink
from ms duty TO you with Tor your further
consideration. Beyond the due performance oil these
Constitutional obligations, both my respect for the legs
and my of proprety will restrain me from any at
tempt to control influence your proceedings. With
you the power the honor and the responsibility OF the
legislation of this country.
The government Of the United States is a limited 60
II is confined to the exercise of powers
prcssy granted and such others may be necessary
carrying those powers into effect and II is at all times
especial duty to guard against any Infringement
the Just rights Of the States. Oser the objects and SUBJ
ects entrusted to Congress- its legislative authority
supreme but here that authority and every cit
who truly loves the Constitution aid desires the
tnuance Of its existence and blessings will reSolutey
and firmly resist any interference in those domestic al
fairs which the Constitution has clearly and unequivo
eay left the exclusive authority of the States And
such citizen will deprecae useless irritation
among the several members of the Union, and all
psoach and elimination tending to ALLEVIATE one portion
of the country from another The beauty OF our system
Of government consists and its safety and durability
must consist, in avoiding mutual collisions. and
eroachments and in the regular separate action OF all
while each is revolving in its distinct orbit.
The Constitution kas made the duty oil the President
tlke that the laws he faithfully executed. In
government like ours, which all laws passed by
majority of the Representatives of the people, and these
Representatives chosen for snch short periods that
any injurious obnoxious law very soon DC repeal
ed, IL would appear unlikely that any great number
should be found ready resist the execution oil the laws
But il must be horne mind that the country extensive
that there may be local interests preudces rendering
law odoas part which is not IN another, and
that the thoushtess and ineOnsderae, msled by their
passions by their imagnations may be induced mad
ly to resist such laws they dsapproye. Such per-
should recolect that without law, there can be
practical BerT that wheR law Is trampled under foot
tyranny rules, whether il appears In the form OF mill
tary despotsn or OF popular oence The law IS the
only protection of the weak and tie ony efficient
restraint upon the strong When Impariialy and
faithfully administered none below its protec
lion, and none above its control. Yog, gentlemen,
and the country, may be assured, that TO the ut
most Of nv ability and the OF the power vested
ia me shall at all times and in all places take care
that the laws he faithfully executed In the discharge
of this duty, Solemniy imposed upon me by the Cons
tuition and By oath Of Office. shall shrink from
responsibility and shall endeavor TO meet events they
may arise, with rmness well prudence and dlscre
fion.
The appointing power of the most delicate with
which the Executive is invested. regard il a sacred
trust he exercised with the sole view of advancing
tic prosperity and happiness OF the people IL shall be
effort elevate the standard of official employment,
10y selecting for places Of Importance individuals fitted
for the post to which they assigned By their known
integrity. talents and virtues. In extensive
try, with great population, and where few per-
sons appointed 10 office can be known to the appointing
I'll -