Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-12-18
NUMBER AZ.


cause, and from the rapid growth of the country in
population and business, the receipts of the Depart
ment must ultimately exceed its expenses, and shat
the country may safely rely upon the continuance Of
the present cheap rate of postage.
In former messages have, among other things, re-
specially recommended to the consideration of Con.
gress the proprety and necessity of further legislation
Tor the protection and punishment foreign Consulsr
siding in the United States; to revive with certain
notifications the act of March 10TH 1888, to restrain
unlawful military expeditions against the inhabitants
OF contermnous states territories for the preser-
walton and protection from mutation or theft of the
papers, records, and archives of the nation for aus
thorzlng the surplus to be applied the pay
ment oil the public debt in advance of the time when
it will become due; for the establishment of land
Offices TOR the sale of the public lands in California
and the territory of Oregon for the construction of
road from the Mississippi valley the Pacific ocean
Tor the establishment of bureau of agriculture for
the promotion OF that interest," perhaps the most i'm
Portant in the country for the prevention of frauds
upon the Government in application for pensions and
bounty lands for the establishment of uniform fee
bill prescribing specific compensation for every ser.
vice required of clerks district attorneys and marshas
for authorizing an additional regiment ofmounted men,
for the defence of our frontiers against the Indians
and fulfilling treaty stipulations with Mexico to
defend her citizens against the Indians with equal
diligence and energy as our own = for determining
the relative rank between the naval and civil officers
in public ships, and between the officers of the
Army and Navy in the various grades of each for
re-organzing the naval establishment by fixing the
number OF officers in each grade, and providing for
retired list upon reduced pay of those unfit for active
duty for prescribing and regulating punishments in
the navy for the appointment of commission to
wise the public statutes of the United States, by ar
ranging them in order, supplying Deficiencies correct
ing lncongrulties, simplifying their language, and re-
porting them to Congress for its final action and for
the establishment of commission to adjudcate and
settle private claims against the United States. am
not aware, however, that any of these subjects have
been finally acted upon by Congress. Without res
peatng the reasons for legislation these subjects
which have been assigned in former messages re-
specially recommend them again to your favorable
consideration.
think it due to the several Executive Departments
of this Government to bear testimony to the efficiency
and integrity with which they are conducted With
all the careful superintendent which is possible for
the Heads of those Departments exercise still the
due administration and guardianship of the public
ey must very much depend on the vigilance, intel-
gence, and fidelity of the subordinate officers and
clerks and especially on those entrusted with the set
tlement and adjustment of claims and accounts. am
graed to believe that they have generally performed
their duties faithfully and well. They appointed
to guard the approaches to the public Treasury and
they occupy positions that expose them to all the
temptations and seducons which the cupidty of pee
ulators and fraudulent claimants can prompt them to
employ. 1t will be but wise precaution to protect
the Government against that of mischief and
corrupton as far it can be done, by the enactment
spect, supposed to be defective, and therefore
deem it my duty to call your attention the subject,
and to recommend that provision be made by law for
the punishment not only of those who shall accept
bribes but also those who shall either PROMISE give,
or e1er 10 give anyef those ecnrs nlarkS hrihe
or reward touching or relating to any matter of their
official action or duty.
1t has been the uniform policy of this Government
from its foundation to the present day to abstain from
all interference in the domestic affairs of other ma
tons. The consequence has been that while the ma
tons of Europe have been engaged in desolatng wars
our country has pursued its peaceful to
ampled prosperity and happiness. The wars in which
have been compelled to engage, in defence of the
rights and honor of the country have been fortunately
of short duration During the terrific contest of ma
ton against nation, which succeeded the French
lution we were enabled by the wisdom and firmness
of President Washington to maintain neutrality.
While other nations were drawn into this wide sweep
ing whirlpool, sat quiet and unmoved upon our OWN
shores. While the flower of their numerous armies
was wasted by disease or persisted by hundreds of
thousands upon the battle field the youth of this favor
ed land permitted to enjoy the blessings of peace
beneath the paternal roof While the States of Eu-
rope incurred enormous debts, under the burthen of
which their subjects still groan and which must absorb
small part of the product of the honest industry of
those countries for generations to come, the United
States have once been enabled to exhibit the proud
spectacle of nation free from public debt; and if
permitted to pursue prosperous way for few years
longer in peace, we may do the same again.
But it is now said by some that this policy must be
changed Europe Is no longer separated from us by
voyage of months, but steam navigation has brought
her within a few DAYS sail of our shores. We see
more of her movements and take deeper interest in
her controversies. Although proposes that we
should join the fraternity of poentates who have for
ages lavished the blood and of their subjects
in maintaining 'the balance of power. yet it is said
that we ought to interfere between contendng
egns and their subjects for the purpose of overthrow
ing the monarchies of Europe and establishing in their
place republican institutions 1t is alleged that
have heretofore pursued different from
of our weakness but that conscious strength
dictates change of policy and that it is consequent-
y duty minge in these contests and aid those
who are struggling for liberty.
This is most seductive but dangerous appeal to
the generous sympathes of freemen. Enjoying as we
do the blessisgs of free Government, there is no
man who has an American heart that would not re-
ioce to these blessings extended to all other
tons. We cannot witness the struggle between the
oppressed and his oppressor anywhere, without the
deepest sympathy for the former and the anxious
desire for his triumph. Nevertheless is it prudent or
is it wise to involve ourselves in these foreign wars
Is it, indeed that have heretofore RETAINED
from doing so merely from the degrading motive of
conscious weakness! For the honor of the patriots
who have gone before us, cannot admit it. Men Of
the Revolution, who drew the sword against the OPP
pressons of the mother country, and pledged to Heav
en- 'stheir lives their fortunes and their sacred honor
to maintain their freedom, could have been
tuated by so unworthy motive. They knew no
weakness or fear where right duty pointed the way,
and It is libel upon their fair fame for u.s. while we
enjoy the blessings for which they so nobly fought
and bed to insinuae it. The truth is that the course
which they pursued dictated by stern sense of
international justices by statesmanlike prudence and
far-seeing wisdom, looking not merely to the pres-