The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. ;
Feliou Citizens of the Senate

y
of Divine Providence, to the responsible station
which now hold, couteuted myself with such
communications to the Legislature as the exi-
cency OF the moment seemed to require. The
country was shrouded in mourning for the loss
of its venerated Chief Magistrate, and all hearts
were penetrated with grief Neither the time
nor the occasion appeared to require or to JUS
tify, on my part, any general expression OF Po-
ltical opinions. or any announcement OF the
principles which would govern me in the dis.
charge of the dutiest the performance ofwhich
had been SO unexpectedly called. trust,
therefore, that it may not be deemed inappro-
pirate, if avail myself Of this opportunity of
the re.assembling re of Congress to make known
my sentiments, in general manner, in regard
to the policy which ought to be pursued by the
Government, both in its intercourse with foreign
nations, and in it's management and administra
ton OF internal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in state of nature,
are equal and 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
common human authority to protect and en-
force. Still, they are rights and duties, binding
in morals, in conscience, and in honor, although
there is no tribunal to which an injured party
can appeal but the dsinterested 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, as cir
cumstances may require; and of managing its
internal affairs according to its own will. The
people cf the United States claim this right for
themselves, and they readily concede it 10 9TH
ers. Hence it becomes an imperative duty not
to interfere in the government or internal poll
ey of other nations; and although we may
sympathize with the unfortunate or the oppress-
ed, every where, in their struggles for freedom,
our principles forbid as from taking any partiu
such foreign contests. We make no wars to
promote or to prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones !;
to maintain any theory of a balance of power
or to suppress the actual government which any
country chooses to establish for ITSELF Vein
stgate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile mil
itary expeditions to be fitted out in the United
States to invade the territory or provinces of 4
friendly nation. The great law OF morality
ought to have national, as well as personal
and individual application. We should act to-
wards other nations as we wish them to act to-
wardsus: and justice and conscience should
form the rule OF conduct between governments,
instead of mere power, selfinterest, or the pow
er of aggrandizement To maintain strict
neutrality in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly
relations, to reciprocate every noble and gene
rous act, and to perform punctually and scrupu-
'lously 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; or if that, in any
case, be refused, we can enforce our own rig hts
with justice and clear conscience.
In our domestic policy, the Constitution will
be my guide; and in questions of doubt | shall
look for its Interpretation to the Judicial decis-
ions of that tribunal, which was established to
expound it, and to the usage ofthe Government,
sanctioned by the acquiescence of his country.
lregard all its provisions as equally binding
In all its parts it is the will of the people, ex-
pressed in the most solemn form, and the cou-
stituted authorities. are but agents to carry that
will into effect. Every power which it has
granted is to be exercised for the public good ;
but no pretence of utility, no honest conviction,
even. of what might be expedient, 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 imperfecton of human language will al
low: and deem it my first duty, not to ques'
ton its wisdom, add to its provisions, evade its
requirements, or nullify its commands.
Upon you, fellow citizens, as representatives
ofthe States and the people, is wisely devolved
the Legislative power. | shall comply with my
duty in laying before you, from time to time,
any information calculated to enable you to dis
charge your high and responsible trust for the
benefit of our common constituents.
My opinions will be frankly expressed upon
tho leading subjects of legislation; and il, which
! do not anticipate, any act should pass the two
Houses of Congress which should appear to me
unconstitutional, or an encroaclment on the
just power of other departments, or with pro-.
visions hastily adopted, and likely to produce
.conscquencesinjurious 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 constitu.
tional obligations, both my respect for the le-
gisature and my sense of propriety will restrain
me from any attempt to control or influence
your proceedings With YOU is the power, the