Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fslio'o citizens Of The Senate,
and ofthe House Of Represent

Divine Providence, to the responsible static,
which | now hold contcDtcd myself with sucl
COMMUNICATIONS to the legislature as the exigen
cy OF the monent seemed to require. The cOuu
try was Shrol Ted in mourning for the loss Of it
veneratcd Chief Magistrate and all hearts w .r,
penetrated WITH grici. Neither the time nor the
occ 'Sloh appeared to require to justify on IN,
part, any general expression of political opinions
on any announcement OF the principles which
"oulu govern me in the discharge ro the dute.
TO the performance OF which had been so uucx
pectdly called trust, therefore that it may no
BE- deemed inappropr ate, if avail myself uf th.
OPP oriunty OF the re-asscmbliug of congress Il
make known my sentiments. i'll general manner
in regard to the policy viii ch ought to be pcrsue
by the go 'crnmcnt, both in its intercourse with
forcig n ma ions, and in its management and ad.
minis tration OF Maternal affiirs
Nations, like individuals in state of natui G
are equal and indepcndent possessing certain
rights, and owing certa duties to each other, a.
rising from their necessary and unavoidable re.
lations which rights and dates here is no com
mon human authority to protect and enforce -
Still, they rights aud duties binding in NOR
ais, IN conscience. aud IN honor although there is
no tribunal to which an injured party can appeal
but the dis'ntcrcsttd judgment Of III nkind, and
ultimately the albitrament of the sword.
-, Among the acknowledged rights Of nations il
that. which each possesses of establish ~ that
ion ofgovornment hch it may deem most con.
ducive to the happiness and prosperity OF its own
citlzeHS, of changing that furn as circumstances
may require and OF managing its internal a1,,ir ;
nied States aim this right f.r thcmsc elves md
they readily conccde it - others Hence ii I've
comes an impe alive duty not TO interfere in the
government or internal policy Of other m tions:.nd
although we may sympathizl with the unfortunate
or the oppressed, eve WHERE. in their struggle
for freedom, our principles forbid us for king
any part in UGH foreign Contests
We make no wars to promote to prevent sue.
cessons to thrones, 10 main ain any theory of a
balance ofpower, or 10 suppress the actual gov
eminent winch any country chooses 10 establish
for Itself Weinstgate no re 5Outi ms, nor suffer
any hostile military expeditions to be fitted out
In the United States 10 invade tho territory or
provinces Of friendly nation. The great law of
morality ought TO have national Us well as per
eonal and individual application. We should act
towards other nations as we wish II en- to act to-
wards us; and justice and conscience should 70 nm
tho rule Of Conduct between governments Instead
OF mere power, II interest, or the desire OF ag-
grandzement. To mGlntan a strict neutrality in
foreign vars. to cultivate friendly rcla, ions to
ciprocatc every noble and generous act, and to
perform punctullly and scrNpulouSly every treaty
obl|g1ton-thesc are tho duiiei Which wa owe t.
other States, and lay the pcrt0 nance OF which We
best entitleUurseves 10 like trentn INT from them
or II that in any case b. rrlu'e I, We can enforce
our own rights with jus ice and clear conscience.
In our domes ic policy, the constitution will he
my guide. and in On Stiuns of doubt. l Shall look
for its Interpretation to thc judicial d. csiouS Of
that tribunal whi'h was e,tlhljsAcl to cNp orHl it
and to the usage OF the government SAM toned
by the aoque scencc Of the country. r.. arI all
its PROVISIONS as equally binding. In all its prrts
Ii is the will OF the people expressed in the most
solemn form and the constituted authorities a
but agents to carry that will into elect. Every
power which it has granted to be exercised tor the
public good; that no prctChae Of utility, no hon ST
conviction even, Of what might hc cXpciunt can
Justify the assumption of any power not gr ,Htcd,
The powers conferred upon the government and
their distribution t, the several departments are
are as clearly expire ,scl in that sacre In ncut
the mper!cction of human language wiil allow
and deem it my first duty not to question its
wisdom, add 10 its provisions, evaJe its require
meuts. or nulllfy It's commands.
Upon you, fellow ciuz ems, IS the represent IveS
OF the states and the people, is wisely drvolvcd
the legislative pc yer. / shall comply With my
duty in laying before you. from time to time any
inforn.a ion calculated o enable you to dsch ,,gc
your hish and responsible rust for the benefit OF
our commOn constituents
My opinions Will be strongly exp .eSscd upon the
leading subjects of lcgisatio ~ and If, winch do
not anticipate. any act should pass the two houses
of Congress which should appear to me unconSti-
tlonal, or an en- 'roachmeIt on the JUS powers of
other depar ncnts, or with provisions hastily a
doptcd, aud likely to produce Consequences iuju-
rious and VII .orsccn, should not shr k from the
duty OF returning il to you, with my r,asnus, for
your furth r consideration. Beyond the due per-
formance OF these constitutional obligations. both
my re 'pect for the legislature and my sense of
propriety will restrain me from any attempt TO con
troll or influence your proceedings. With you
il the power, the honor. and the responsibility Of
the legislation of the country.
He OoVcTHlHeUl Oh lne OK'Leu iotnLeS Is
limited Cove nmcnt. 1t is confined to the
exerc Sc of powers expressly granted, and
such Others as may be necessary for carry
ing these powers into eff ct and it is at all
times an especial duty to quad against any
infrin cement on the just rights OF the Sta,es.--
Over the objects and subjects intrusted to
Congress, its legislative au,horiiy is supreme.
But here that authority ceases, and every
citizen who truly loves the Constitution, and
desires the continuance of its cXstenc. and
Its blessings, will rc5Jluteiy ani htln,y resist
any interference i'll those dem site allu!rs,
which the Constitution has clearly AMI Ulc-
qui' ocally left to the exclusive authority of
the States.--Anl every such citizen will also
deprecate useless irritation among the several
members of the Uniuu, Gnd al rcproach and
elimination tending 70 ullcnate one portion of
the country from another, The beauty ufoui
system Of Gov ernmcnt consists, ana it, safety
and durability must consist, III avoiding
mutual Coll sous, and CEcrolchnGEts ANA IN
the regular separate action 0! !, while each
is revolving in its own distinct orbit.
The Constitution has made it the duty Of
the President to take care that the laSs he
faithful y executed IN Government Ike
ours, in VIII CHI all lava aro passed by mn.
iority Of the representatives Of the poole,
and these representa- ives are chosen for such
short periods, that any injurious or oh!oXlou3
law can very soon be repealed, It would ap
pear unlikely that any great numbers should
be found ready to resist the execution of the
laws. But it must be bUruc in mind thai tho
country is extensive thai there may be Local
interests or prciudlces rendering law odio 20
III one par, which 10 not 30 ~ 2Autlar, and
that The lhoughlcs3 ami lucorsile-sto, ni5ic1
by their passions, or their IN glGaiIJns, may
be induced mldiy t. resist sac laws u hey
disapproye. Such persons should rocolcct
that, without Ia ". there can b, no real prac-
teal liberty; that, when law is lr1mpied
under foot, tyranny rules, whether it appears
in the form Of military despoism or of Pc.
pular violence. The law is the only sure
protection of the weak, End the only efficient
restraint, upon the strong. When iIaplrtIally
and faithfully administered, none arc beneath
its protection, and none above its control
You, gentlemen, and the country may be as
sured, that to the utmost of my ability, aad to
the extent of the power vested IN me, | shall
at all times, and in all places, take care that
the laws be faithfully exc uted. In the dis
charge of this duty, soonnly imposed upon
INC BY the ConsttutIon and by 10y oath Of