Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-12-16

States. | am not aware, however, that
any of these subjects have been finally ac-
ted upon by Congress. Without repeating
the reasons for Legislation on these subjects
which have been assigned in former mes.
sases, respectfully recommend them a /.
gain to your favorable consideration.
I think it due TO the several Executive
] Departments of this Governmental bear
/ testimony to the efficiency and integrity
I with which they arc conducted. With
all the careful superintendent which it is
possible for The Heads of those Depart.
ments TO exercise, still the due adminslra-
ton and guardianship of the public money
must very mnch depend on the vigilance,
Intelligence, and fidelity Of the subordinate
officers and clerks, and especially on those
entrusted with the settlement and adjust
| ment Of claims and accounts. | am graf
flied 10 believe that they have generally
performed their duties faithfully and we'll.
They are appointed TO guard the approach.
es to the public Treasury, and they occupy
] positions that expose them TO all the ter1p-
/ tations and seductions Which the cupidity
! Of peculators and fraudulent claimants can
prompt them 10 employ. 1t will be but a
wise precaution to protect the Government
/ against that source Of mischief and corrup-
! tion, as far as il can be done, by the enact
ment OF all proper legal penalties. The
laws in this respect, are supposed TO be
deIective, and therefore, deem il my duty
to call your attention 10 the subject, and to
recommend that provision he made by law
for the punishment not only Of those who
shall accept bribes, but also Of those who
shall either promise, give, or offer 10 give
TO any Of those officers or clerks bribe or
reward touching or relating to any matter
of their official action or duty.
1t has been the uniform policy Of this
Government from IFS foundation to The
present day, to abstain from all Interference
in the domestic affairs OF other nations
The consequence has been that while the
nations OF Europe have been engaged in
deSoating wars, our country has pursued
lis peaceful course, to unexampIed prosper>
ity and happiness. The wars in which we
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 nation against
nation, which succeeded the French revo.
luton, we were enabled by the wisdom and
frmness Of President Washington TO main.
tain our neutrality. While other nations
were drawn into this wide sweeping wbir-
pool, we sat down quiet and unmoved upon
our own shores. While the flower Of their
armies was wasted by disease or
periShed by hundreds of thousands upon
The battle field, the youth OF this favored
land were permitted to enjoy the blessings
of peace beneath the paierna roof. While
the States of Europe incurred enormous
debts, under the burden ofwhich their sub
jects still groan, and which absorb no small
part of the prodnct 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 10 |
pursue our prosperous way for a few years
longer in peace,we may do the same again. |
But it is now said by some that this pol,
icy must be changed. Europe is no longer
separated from US by voyage Of months, /
but steam navigation has brought her with,
IN few days sal! of eur shores. We see
more OF her movements, and take deeper
interest in her cont OVERSEES. Although no |
one proposes that we should join The fra !
ternily Of potentates who have for ages
layshed the blood and treasure Of their
subjects in maintaining The "balance of
power" yet il is said that we ought TO in
terfere between contending sovereigns and
their subjects, for the purpose Of overthrow.
ing The monarchies of Eorope and estab.
!Ishing in their lace republican institutions.
1t is alleged that we have heretofore pur>
sued different course from a sense of our
weakness, but that now our conscious
strength dicia es change of policy, and
that it is consequently our duty TO mingle
in those contests and aid those who are
for liberty.
This is most seductive but dangerous
appeal TO the generous sympathies oil free>
men. Enjoying as we do the blessing of
free government, there is no man who has
au American heart that would not rejoice to
see these blessings extended TO all nations.
We cannot witness the struggle between the
and hisoppressor any where with.
ou the deepest sympathy Tor the former ,and
he most anxious desire for trlnmph New
is it prudent or is it wise TO in> i
1olve ourselves in these foreign ware ?-Is
I indeed true that We have heretofore re.
rained from doing so merely from The de-
grading motive OF a conscious weakness? ?
For the honor Of The patriots who have {
gone before US, cannot admit it. Men Of
he Revolution who drew the sword against I
he oppression of the mother country, and
pledged 10 Heaven "their lives, their for.
unes and their sacred honor" TO maintain '
heir Greedom, conId never have been ac /.
uated by so unworthy motive. They
knew no weakness or fear where right or