Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsllo,s citizens o5ihe Senate

station which now hold, l 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 the venerated Chief Magistrate, and all
hearts were penetrated with grief Neither the
time nor the occasion appeared to require or JUS
tify on my part, any general expression of polit-
ical opinions. Or any announcement of the prnci-
pies which would govern me in the discharge Of
the duties to the performance of which | had
been SO I'm .xpectedly called. / trust, therefore,
that it may not be deemed inappropriate, if a
vail myself of this opportunity of the reassem-
bling OF Congress to make known my sentiments
In a general manner, In regard to the policy
which ought to be pursued by the government,
both IN its intercourse with foreign nations, and
in its m cement and administration of internal
afflirs.
Nations, like individuals in state Of nature,
are equal aad independent, possessing certain
rights, and owing certain duties to each other,
arising from their necessary and unavoidable re-
lations; which rights and duties there is no
CON non hu nan authority to protect and enforce
Still, there are rights and duties, binding in NOR
ais, IN conscience and in honor, although there
is no tribunal to which an injured party can APP
peal, but the disinterested judgment of mankind,
and ultimately the arbitrament of the sword.
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 and prosperity of its
own citizens; of changing that form. crcum-
stances my require; and of managing its inter-
nal affairs according TO its own will The peo-
pie of the United States claim this right for
themselves and they readily concede it to 9th
ers. Hence it becomes an imperative duty not
to interfere in the government or internal policy
Of other nations; and although we may sympa-
thize with the unfortunate or the oppressed, eve
rywhere, in their struggles for freedom, our prin-
ciples forbid us from taking part in such foreign
contests. We make no wars to promote or to
prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones to maintain any
theory Of balance of power; or to suppress the
actual government which any country chooses
to establish for itself. We instigate no revolu-
tons, nor suffer any hostile military expeditions
to be fitted out in the United Suites, to invade
the territory or provinces of friendly nation -
The great l,w of morality ought to have ma
tional. as well as personal and individual ap
pcition. We should act towards other nations
wish them to act towards US /; and justice
and conscience should form the rule of conduct
between governments, instead of mere power,
self-interest or the desire of aggrandizement.-
To mlintlin strict neutrality in foreign wars,
to cultivate friendly relations, to reciprocate eve
ry noble and generous act and to perform pune
tually 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
and if that, in any case, be refused, we can en-
force our own rights with justice and clear
conscience.
In our domestic policy the constitution will be
my guide: and Impressions of doubt, shall look
for its Interpretation to the judicial decisions Of
that t~hural which actahl,cba1 4
it, and to the usage of the government, sanction
ed by the acquiesence of the country. regard
all its provisions as equally binding. In all its
parts 1t Is the will of the people, expressed In
the most solemn form, and the constituted au-
thorltles are but agents to carry that will into
effect. Every power which it has granted is to
be exercised for the public good hut no pre-
tence of utility, no honest conviction, even, OF
what might be expedient can Justify the assump-
ton of any power not granted. The powers
conferred upon the government and their distri-
button TO the sever i departments, are as clearly
expressed in that sacred instrument as the I'M
perfection of human language will allow; and
deem II INV irst duty, not to question IFS wisdom
add to its provisions, evade its requirements, OF
nullify its commands.
Upon you, fellow-citizens. as the representa-
tives of the States and the people, is wisely de-
voved the Legislative power. ] shall comply
with my duty, in laying before You. from time to
time, any in.ornation calculated to enable you
to discharge your high and responsible trust, for
the benefit OF our common constituents
My opinions will be frankly expressed upon
the leading subjects of legislation; aud if. which
do not anticipate, any act should pass the two
Houses of Congress, which should appear to me
unconstitutional. or an encroachment on the Just
powers of other departments, Or with provisions
hastily adopted, and likely to produce consequent
ces injurious and unforeseen, | should not shrink
from the duty of returning it to you, with my
reasons for your further consideration. Beyond
the due performance of these constitutional obi
cations, both my respect for the legislature, and
my sense of propriety, will restrain me from any
attempt to control or influence your proceedings.
With you is the power, the honor, and the re-
spensibility of the Legislation of the country
The Government of the United States is a
limited government. 1t is confined to the exer-
else of powers expressly granted, and such 9th
ers as may be necessary for carrying those pow
ers into effect; and it is at all times an especial
duty to gusrd against any infringement OH the
lust rights of the States. Over the objects and
subjects intrlsted to Congress its legislative au
thority is supreme. But here that authority cea-
SEES. and every citizen who truly loves the Con-
stituton, and desires the continuance of its exs-
ence and its blessings, viii resolutely and firmly
resist any interference III nOSe QOineStC du1irS
WEIGH the Constitution has clearly and unequivo-
cally lett to the exclusive authority of the States
And every such citizen will also deprecate use
less irritation among the several members of the
Union, ami all reproach and elimination tending
to ALLEVIATE one portion of the country from anoth-
er The beauty of our system of Government
consists, and its safety and durability must con-
sist, in ave ding mutual collisions, and in the reg
ular, separate action of all, while each is revolv-
ing in its own distinct orbit.
The Constitution has made it the duty of the
President to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed In government like ours, in which
ali laws are passed by majority of the repre-
sentatv of the people, and these representa-
tives are chosen for such short periods, that any
injurious or obnoxious law can very soon be re-
pealed, it would appear unlikely that any gre t
numbers should be found ready to resist the exc
cution of the laws. But it must be borne in
mind that the country is extensive, that there
may be local interests or prejudces rendering a
law odious in one part, which is not in anoth-
er, and that the thoughtless and inconslderate,
misl,d by their passions, their imaginations,
may be induced madly TO resist such laws as
I,-an chopl1 rocollact