The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

L L - A1ADOLAShs
-eCc
Foe Citizens Of The Senate and House Of Representatives.:
Being suddenly Called IN the midst Of the last
session OF Congress- by painful d!7pensatlon Of D
vine Providence, to the responsible station which
now hold, cOntened myself with such cOmmuni-
cations to the Legislature The exigenCy of the
moment seemed 10 require. The country was
shrOuded in mourning for the loss of is veuerated
Chief Magistrate, and all hearts were PENETRATED
with grief. Neither the time nor the occasion ap.
psared to require or to justify, on my part, any
general expression of political opinions or an an.
nOuicement Of the principles which would govern
me In the discharge OF the duties TO the perform.
ance of which had been SO uneIG1ctedlv called
| trust, therefore, that it may not be deemed inap-
prOpriate, if avail myself of this opportunity Of
the re assembling OF Congress 10 make known my
sentiments, in a general manner, IN regard to the
policy which ought TO Is pursued by the Govern
ment, both in It's Intercourse with foreign nations
and in its management and administration of inter.
nal affairs.
Nations like individuals in Fl state Of nature, are
equal and independent, possessing certain rights
an1 owing certain du'Ies TO each O.her arising from
their necessary and unavoidable relations which
rights and duties there is no common human autfo-
rty TO protect and enforce. Sill, they are righ.s
and duties, bind in morals, in Conscience and in
honor, although there is no tribunal to which an
ininred party appeal but the dlsinterested ulg-
mrnt of mankind, and ultimately the arbltrament
Of the sword
Among the acknowledged rights of nations is
that, which each possesses, Of establishing thar
form of government which it may deem most con-
ducive to the happiness and prosperity Of its own
cltlZens of changing that form as circumstances
may require; and Of managing its internal affairs
according TO its own will. The 2Ople of the Uni
ted States claim this right for themselves and they
readily cOncete 1t to Others Hence il 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 the
oppressed, every where, in their sugEes for free
doom, our principles forbid us from taking any part
IN such foreign contests. We m ke no wars 10
promote or to prevent SUGGESTIONS 10 thrones to
maintain any theory of balance of power; or 10
suppress the actual government which any country
chooses to establish for itself We usligate no rev.
ouOns, suffer any hostile military ex[ editions
to be fitted out in the United States to invade the
| territory or provinces OF friendly nation. The
| great law of morality out 10 have national. a:
| well as psrsOnal and individual application We
| should act towards other nations as we wisl
them TO act towards us; and justice and conscience
| should form the rule OF conduct between govern
| mens, instead of mere power, se!f-nterest, the
| power of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. To maintain n strict
neutrality in foreign wars, 10 cultivate friendly
lations, 10 recprocate every noble and generous act
and 10 perform punctuaIy and scrupuOusly every
treaty obligatiOn-ihese the dulles which we
owe to other States, an by the performance Of
which We bsst entite ourselves to like treatment
from them; or if that, in any case be refused We
can enforce our own rights with justice and clear
conscience.
In our domestic policy, the Constitution will be
my guide; and in questions of doubt, | shall look
Tor its Interpretation to the judicial decisions of that
tribunal which was established to expound it, and
to the usage OF the Government, sanctioned by the
acquescence of the country. | regard all its pro-
visions equally binding. In all its parts it is the
will OF the people, expressed in the most solemn
Orm and the constituted authorities are but agents
to carry that viii into effect. Every power which
it has granted is to be exercised for the public
good, but no pretence Of utility, honest convc-
| ton, even, of what might be expedent, can Justify
| the assumption Of any power not granted The
powers conferred upon the Government and their
distribution to The several departments, are as
clearly expressed in that sacred instrument as the
| impertection of human language will allow; and
deem it my first duty, not to question its wisdom
| add to its provisions, evade its requirements or
| nullify its commands.
| Upon you tellOw-citizens representatives Of
the States and the people, is wisely devolved the
| legislative power. shall comply with my duty in
laying before you, from time to time, any informa.
ton calculated to enable you to discharge your h Oh
and responsible trust, for the benefit of our common
| constituents.
| My opinions will be frankly expressed upon the
| leading subjects of legislation and if, which dc
not anticipate, any act should pass the two Houses
OF Congress which should appear to me unconst.
| tntonal, or an encroachment on the just power o
| other departments, with provisions hastily
adopted, and likely to produce consequences iniu.
rious and unforeseen, should not shrink from the
duty OF returning 1t to you, with my reasons, fol
| your further consideration. Beyond the due per
ormance OF these constitutional obligations, bott
my respect for the Legislature and my sense of pro
| Prlety will restrain me from any attempt to contro
| or influence your proceedings. With you is the
power, the honor and the responsibility Of the egs
| laton Of the country.
The Government of the United Stated is lin
tied government. 1t is confined to the exercise o
| powers expressly granted, and such others as MAJ
be necessary for carrying those powers into effect
| and 1t is at all times an especial duty to guart
| against any infringement the Just rights OF tn
| States. Over the objects and subjects entrusted Il
| Congress, Its Legislative authority is supreme Blu
here that authority ceases and every citizen wht
| truly loves the Constitution, and desires the con
| tlnuance OF Its existence and its BLESSINGS will
resoIutey and irm resist any interference in thos
domestic affairs which the Constitution has clearl
and unequivocay left to the exclusive authority &
the States. And every such citizen will also depre
cate useless irritation among the several member
OF the Union, and all reproach and crmnatlo
tending to ALLEVIATE one portion of the country fToT
another The beauty of our system of government
consists, and its safety and durability must conss
IN avoiding mutual collisions and encroachment,
and IN the regular separate action of ALL while eac
Is revolving in its own distinct orbit
| The Constitution has made it the duty of the PR
sdent to take care that the laws be faithfully exc
| cuted In Government like ours, in which a
laws are passed by majority of the representl
'Ves OF the people, and these representatives. az
CHOSEN Tor such short periods, that any injurious
obnoxious law can very soon be repealed, it wouI
appear unlikely that any great numbers should /
found ready 10 resist the execution of the law
But II mast be borne in mind that the country is p
tensIve, that there may be local interests or prei
dces rendering a law odious in one mart. which
nos so in another and that the thoughtIsss and il
consderate, msled by their passions, or their im
S glnatuns, may be Induced madly to resist sue
4 laws as they disapprove. Such persons should :
collect that without law, there can be no re
y practical liberty; that when The law is tramplt
under foot, tyranny rules, whether it appears in Il
form of military despotism or Of popular viulenc
It The law is the only sure protection Of the wea
}. and the only efficient restraint upon the stron
When impartally and faithfully administered, nor
II is beneath its protection, and none above its CO
troll. You, gentlemen, aud the country may be a