Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-12-23

prise, and while il exac,s obedience TO
the laws, and restraints all unauthorized
invasions of the rights Of neighboring
States, it should foster and protect home
industry, and lend its powerful strength
to the improvement Of such means of in
tercomml nication as are necessary TO
promote our internal commerce and TO
strengthen the ties which bind US to-
gether as people.
Ii is not strange, however much il may
be regretted, that such an exuberance OF
enterprise should cause some individu-
ais to mistake change for progress, aud
the invasion of the rights of others for
national prowess AND glory. The for
mer are constantly agitating for some
change in the organic law, or urging new
aud untried theories of human rights
The latter are never ready to engage in
any wild crusade against neighboring
people, regardless of the Justice of the
enterprise and without looking at the Ia
tai consequences to ourselves and to the
cause of popular government Such
expeditions, however, are often siimula-
ted by mercenary individuals Who ex-
pee, to share the plumber or profit of the
enterprise, without exposing themselves
10 danger, and are led on by some irres.
ponsible foreigner, who abuses The hospi-
tality of our own government by seduc.
ing the young and ignorant TO JOIN him
in his scheme OF personal ambition or
revenge, under the false and deluding
presence of extending the area of free
dom. The reprehensible aggresslons
but retard the true progress Of our nation
and tarnish its fair fame. They should,
therefore, receive the indignant frowns
of every good citizen who sincerely
loves his country and takes pride in its
prosperity and honor.
Our Constitution, though not perfect,
is doubtless the best that was ever form
ed. Therefore, let every proposition TO
change il be well weighed and if found
beneficial, cautiously adopted. Every
patriot will rejoice TO see its authority so
exerted as to advance the prosperity and
honor of the nation, whilst he will watch
with Jealousy any attempt TO mutllate
this charter of our liberties, or prevent
/ its powers to acts of aggression or in
justice. Thus shall conservatism and
progress blend their harmonious action
in preserving the form and spirh of the
Constitution, and at the same time carry
forward the great Improvements of the
country with rapidity and energy which
lreemen only can display.
In closing this, my last annual com
munication, permit me, fellow citizens.
to congratulate you upon the prosperous
condition. of our beloved country
Abroad, its relations with all foreign
powers are friendly; its rights are res
pected, and its high place in the family
of nations cheerfully recognized. At
home we enjoy an amount of happiness,
public and private, which has probably
never fallen to the 10. of any other peo-
pie. Besides affording to our citizens
degree of prosperity, of which, on SO
large a scale, know Of no other in
stance, our country is annually affording
refuge and home to multtudes. alto
gelher without example from the Old
World.
We owe these blessings, under Heav-
en-. to the happy Constitution and Gov
eminent which we're bequea,hed TO us by
our fathers, and which it is our sacred
duty TO transmit in all their integrity to
our children. Venus all consider il
great distinction and privilege to have
been chosen by the people to bear part
in the administration of such Govern.
ment. Called by an unexpected dispen-
sation TO its highest trust, at season of
embarrassment and alarm, entered up
on its arduous duties with extreme diff
dence. claim only to have discharged
them to the best of my humble ability,
with single eye to the public good; and
il is with devous gratitude, In retiring
from office, shat leave the country in a
state Of peace and prosperity.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, December, 1852.