The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-12-07
Presidents Message,

fel.ou Citi..a, Of n, S'p4., AMI House r. Rep
rSDntIiipss Being suddenly called, in the mlt,t
of the last session Of Congress, 6y painful dis.
pensation Of Divine Providence to th5 responsible
station now huld coutentcd myself with snch
communications TO the legislature as the ex.eU,y
OF the moment seemed to require Tbs country
was shrouded in mourning for the loss Of It's ven
Grated chief magistrate and all hearts were pom
etrated 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 gov
crn me IN the discharge OF the dutioi 10 the per
Torrance OF which | had been 80 Unexpectedly
called
trust therefore, that il may not BE deemed
Inappropriate # avail myself Of this cpportuui.
~ Of the assembling of Congress TO make known
my sentiments IN general manner IN regard TO
the policy which oaghs to be pursued by the gov.
eFnment, both IN IT'S intercourse with foreign ma
tons, and its management and administration Of
internal afflrl Nations like individuals in n
state ofna'urc are equal and Independent pos
sossing certain rights aud owing certain duties to
each other arising from their necessary and una
voldabe relations; winch RI sh-s al duties there
mo common human authority 10 protect and en-
force. Still there are rights and duties binding
IN morals, m conscience, and N honor, although
there Is no tribunal TO which an mi rsi party can
appeal bat tn, dl,nterested Judgment o! man
kind, AMI lltnItcly the arbtranent OF the sword
anil 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 aul prosperity Of us
citizens changing that form a. circumstances may
require, aud OF managing is internal aILlrs ac-
corling to it, will
~, az ,hn ITDflcl r, 80 80
right for themselves and tney readily conccde 1t
to others Hence It becomes an imperative duty
not to interfere with the gavsTnmen, or internal
policy Of other nations AMI although We mas
sympa,hse with the unfortunate or oppressed
everywhere, in their struggles for freedom our
principles forbid us from taking any part in such
foreign contests. But We make 30 wars to pro.
mote or prevent SUGGESTIONS TO thrones, TO main.
tain any theory Of balance Of power, or to sup
press the a'tull government which auv country
chooses TO establish for itself nstiSato no reyolu
ton, nor suffer any hostile military sxpedtionsto
be fitted out in the United States TO invade the
Territory or provinces OF friendly nation The
great law OF morality ought to have national
as well a. n personal AMI individual application.
We should act towards other nations az we
wish the to act towards u5 AMI Justice and con
science should form the rule of conduct between
governments, instead Of mere power, sefinter.
est, or ihe desire OF aSgranil.emeut To main.
tam strict neutrality IN foreign WARS, to cultivate
friendly relations, to reclprncAte every noble and
generous act, to perform plus;ntily ami srrupu.
lousy every treaty b.isa,ion these ara the du-
ties which we owe to other satcs AMI by the
performance OF winch we Justly enti.le ourselves
10 like treatment from them. or II that in anv
sass be refused, We can enforce our own rights
with Justice and clear Coincidence
In our domestic policy, the constitution will be
my judge, and in questions Of donbt, shall lo-k
for its Interpretation 10 III. judicial decisions of
the tribunal which wa. established to eypouni it,
and TO the uSagss Of the Government. sanctioned
by long acqulescsnce regard all ia provisions
rs equally binding in MI it' parts 1t il the will
Of the people expressed in the mott solemn form
and the constituted authorities are bu. the agents
10 carry that will into effect. Every power which
IL has granted is TO b. exercised for the public
good, but no honest conviction even OF what might
he expedient, can Justify the assumption Of any
power not granted. The powers conferred upo,
the government AMI their administration to the
several departments are as clearly expressed in
that instrument as the lmperiectlons Of human
language will allow; and deem i. my first duty
not to question its Wis om add TO its provisions,
oyade i,s requirements, or nulhy It's commands.
Upon you, my fellow citizens, "a the represen.
'se'ts VI Is wisely Nt-
volved the legislative power | shall comply with
my duty in laying be'orc.yop from time to tins, (
any information calculated to enable you 20 dis.
charge your high and responsible trust tor the be.
nett Of your common constituents.
My opinions will be frankly expressed upon the !
leading subjects Of legislation and If what do !
not anticipate any act should pass the two hous. |
es Of congress which should appear TO me UNISON
stitutonal or an encroachment upon the jus, pow.
era Of the other departments or with provisions |
hastily adopted, and likely to induce consequcn.
ces injurious and unforeseen, | shall not shrink |
from the duty Of returning it to YOU, with my |
reasons for your further consideration. Beyond |
the duty Of performance of these constitutional |
obligations, both my respect for the legislature |
and nv sense Of propriety will restrain me from !
any a,temp, 10 control or influence your proceed. !
inss
With you is the power, the honor, and respon !
sihility OF the legislation Of the country. The |
government Of the Unite1 States /, limited |
government. /, is con6aSd to the exercise Of
powers expressly granted, AMI fuch others "a may !
he necessary for carrying those powers into effect
and II s at all times, an especial duty to guard !
against aoy infringement on the just rights Of tho
states over the objects and subject, not given 10 |
congress. lts legislative authority is 81, creme but
here that authority ceases andevery citizen whoiru.
loves the and desires tie continuance
ri its existence and its blessings will reso,utoly
md jointly resist any interference in those domes
tic affairs which the constitution has clearly and !
left to the exclusive authority of
the states; aud every such citizen will also dcnre |
rate useless irritatious among the several mem
hers Of the Union and all reproach and crimina
tons tending to ALLEVIATE one portion Of the coun
try from another.
The baauty Of our system Of government. con.
sists and its safety aud durability must consist in
avoiding mutual collisions and encroacbmsnts in
the regular and separate action Of MI, While zach
10 revolving in its own distinct orbit The consti-
tuition has made II the duty Of the President to
lake care that the laws DO faithfully executed. I
Ia government. like ours, In which all laws are |
passed BY majority Of tho representatives Of the
people and .hssc representatives are chosen for
ucb abort psr,ds that any injurious or obnoxioas
law can vsry soon be repealed, It would appear a
nuv yra,k sto,,tJ ka / .