Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-09
Presidents Message.
citizens Of. tie Senate,

T. Being suddenly called, in the midst o
the last session of Congress- by n, painful
dispensa,ion Of Divine Providence, 10 The
responsible station which now liold, | con
tented myself with. such communications
to the Legislature as the exigency' Of The
moment seemed 10 require. The country
was shrouded in mourning for the loss OF
its venerated Chief. Magistrate, and all
hearts were penetrated with. grief. Nei.
ther the time nor the occasion appeared to
require or to Justify, on my part any gen.
eral expression ofapoli,ical opinions, or
any announcement OF the principles which
would govern me in the discharge OF The
duties 10 The performance of which | had
been so unexpectedly called. | trust, there.
fore, that 1t may not be deemed lnappro-
p i,te if | avail myself Of this opportunity Of
the reassembling ofGoDgress to make known
my sentiments, in a general manner, in
regard to the policy which ought 10 be
pursued by the Government, both in lis
intercourse with foreign nations, and in its
management and administration of internal
affairs. s-55szE > r. .ga.tze-a 1.F4 s*1.a5
I. Nations, like individuals in a state of
nature, are equal and independent, possess.
ing certain rights, and owing certain duties
to each other, arising from their necessary
and unavoidable relations, which rights
and duties there is no common human
authority 10 protee. and enforce. Sill,
they are rights and duties, binding in. NOR.
als; in conscience, and, in honor, although
there is no tribunal to which an injured
party can appeal but the disinlerested judg.
men. of mankind, and ultimately the ar.
bitrament Of tho sword. g45u zGs yss7
Among the acknowledged rights Of na-
tions is that which each possesses Of estab.
fishing that form Of governmen. which j:
may deem most conducive 10 the happih-
ness and prosperity Of It's own citizens; ot,
changing that form, as circumstances may
require, and Of managing its own internal
affair according to its own will. The peo.
pie Of The Unilea SUITES claim this right for
themselves, and they readily concede it to
o.bers.o. Hence it becomes an imperative
duty net to interfere. in the government or
internal policy Of other. nations; and al,
though we may sympathize with the unfor.
tunate or the oppressed, every where, in
their struggles for freedom, our principles
,forbidus from taking any part in such for
E gn contests. We make no wars to pro-
mote or TO prevent SUGGESTIONS to thrones;
10 maintain any theory Of a balance Of
power; or to suppress the actual govern.
ment which any country chooses to estab.
lisi for itsslf. We inestiga-e' no revolu.
tons, nor suffer any hostile military expe-
ditions to he fitted out in thes United States
to ihtdde the territory or province of
friendly nation. The grea. Law Of moral
ily ought to have national, as. we'll as a
personal and individual application. We
should act towards other nntions MS we
wish them to act towards US; and justice
and conscience should form the rule Of
conduct between gosefnnien,s, instead OF
mere power, sslfint crest, or the desire OF
aggrandizement. To maintain a strict
neutrality in foreign wars, TO cultivate
friendly relations, 10 reciprocale every no.
BILE and generous act, and 10 perform pune
tually and scrupulously every treaty obll-
gation-those are the duties which We owe
to other States, and by the performance Of
which we best entitls ourselevs TO like
treatment from them; or if that, In any
case, be refused, we can enforce our own
rights with justice and clear conscience.
lhsour domestic policy, the Constitution
will be- my guidsj and iii questions Of
doubt, ! shall look fof its Interpretation to
The judicial decisions Of that tribunal,
which was established to sspound 1t, and to
the usages Of the Government, sanctioned
by the acquiescences Of the county Ire
gard all its provisions ms equally binding
In all its parts il is the will of the people,
expressed in The most solemn form, and
the constituted authorities, are but agents
to carry that will into effect. Every pow.
er which it has granted is to be exercised
for the public good; but no prelence OF ut'l'
ity. to honest conviction, even OF what
might be expedien,, can justify the assumP'
ton Of any power not granted. The pow.
srs conferred upon the Government and
their distribution to the several depart.
ments, are as clearly expressed in that So
cred instrument as the imperfection OF hu-
man language will allow; and | deem II
my first duty, not TO question its WISDOM
add to its provisions, evade its require
men,s, or nullify its commands.
Upon you citizens. as the repres-
entatives of the States and the people, Is
wisely develveG the legislative power
1t shall comply with my duty. in laying
/ before you, from time to time, e,any informa
tion calculated to enable you 10 dischurge
your high and reponsib'e trust, for the ben
left of our common constituents.
! Nv opinions willabe frankly expressed
upon the leading subjects of legislation; ont
if. which do not anticipate, any act shonlt
pass the two Houses Of Congress whicl
should appear to me unconstitutional, o
an encroaehment on the just powers
other departments, or withprovisions hnst
lily adopted, and lkelv to produce conse
quences injurious and unforeseen, shonl
; not shrink from The duty of returning it t
you, with my reasons. for your furthe
!. consideration. Beyond the due perform
ance Of these constitutional obligations
= both my respect for the legislature and m
sense Of propriety will restrain me fro'
Y anv attempt TO control or influence you