Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-13
PRESIDENTS S MESSAGE.
Fello,c- Citizens of the Senate

81 DeiiS Suudeiily CdIltu, III tiie Hiust Y
thelast session Of Congress, hy painful
dispensation of divine Providence, to th
responsible station / now hold, / conten
yself with such communications to th
legislature as the exigencies Of the mo
\ Anent seem to require.
The country was shrouded in mourn
ing for the loss OF its Chief Magistrate
and all hearts were penetrated with grief
Neither the time nor occasion appeared te
require or justify on my part any gener.
al expression Of political opinions or an,
announcement Of the principles which
would govern Inc in the discharge of the
duties, to the performance of which had
been SO unexpectedly called. l trust
therefore, that it may not be deemed in
appropriate if avail myself Of the oppor-
tunity of the re-assemblng of Congress
To make known my sentiments in a gen.
erai manner in regard to the policy which
ought to be pursued by the govcrnment
both in its intercourse with foreign ma
tions, and in its Management and admins
tration of internal affairs.
- Nations, like individuals in state Of
nature, are equal and independent, pos
sessing certain rights and owing certain
duties TO each other arising from neces-
2 sary and unavoidable relation, which rights
and duties there is no human authority to
+ protect and enforce. Still there are rights
and duties binding in morals and in con-
science, although there is 10 tribunal to
which an injured party can appeal butthe
Ydisinterested iudgmen. Of mankind and
ultimately The arbitration Of the sword
Among the acknowledged rights Of ma
tions is that which each possesses by es-
tablishing that form Of government which
may be most conducive to the happiness
aud prosperity of its citizens, changing
that form as circumstances may require,
AMI managing lis internal affairs according
TO that viii The people of the United
| States claim this right for themselves, and
they readily concede it tc others. Hence
hsbecones our imperative duty not to in
terfere with the policy of other nations;
and although We may sympathisc with the
: unfortunate or oppressed everywhere in
their struggle for freedom, our principles
forbid US from taking any part in such for
+ eign contests; but we make no wars to
promote or prevent succession 10 thrones
to maintain any theory Of the balance .of
/ power, or 10 suppress am individual ap-
piication. We should act towards other
nations as we wish them to act towards
.us, and justice and confidence should form
the rule OF conduct between governments
instead OF mere power, seit-interest or
desired ACCOMPLISHMENTS. TO maintain a
strict neutrality IN foreign wars--to culli-
fvate friendly relations Ito reciprocate
every noble and generous act-to perform
punctnillly and scrupnlously every treaty
obligation: these are the duties which We
owe to other States, and by the perform
vance of which we best entitle 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 ques-
tions of doubt, / shall look for its inter-
probation to the judicial decisions of the
tribunal which was established to expound
it, and to the usages Of the government
sanctioned BY long acquicscence.
/ regard all its provisions as equally
binding in all its parts. tits 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 power which it has granted is te
be exercised for the public good, but nc
honest conviction even of what might be
expedient can justify the assumption ol
any power not granted. The powers con-
ferred upon the government and the adj
ninistration and on the sveral departments
Z are as clearly expressed in that instru-
ment as the imperiection of human Ian
s1guage will allow; and / deem it my firsl
duty not to question its wisdom, add to its
provisions, evade its requirements OF
nullify its commands. Upon You, my
fellow citizens, as the representatives q
the States and the people is wisely de.
volved the Legislative power. i shall com.
ply with my duty in laying before you
from time to time, any information calcu
lated to enable you to discharge your higi
and responsible trust for the benefit o
your common constituents. My opinion
will be frankly expressed upon the lead
ing subjects of Legislation; but / do no
anticipate any act should pass the tw,
houses of Congress which should appea
to me unconstitutional or encroaching up
on the just power of the other depart
ments, or with provisions hastily adopted
and likely to induce consequences injuri
Gus and unforeseen. I shall not slninl
from the duty of returning it to you wit
&. my reasons for your consideration. BE
yond the duty Of performance Of thes
constitutional obligations both my respec
for the legislature and my sense Of bro
priety will restrain me from any atte.nr
to control or influence your proceedings
With you is the power, the honor, an
responsibility Of the legislation Of III