Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-03-16
IOWA CITY, WEDNESDAY, Y,

=
thitherward not to find those lights extnguish-
led, or to fear lest they should wane. but to he
cheered by their steady and Increasing radi-
ance. In this our country has. in my Judge
ment, thus far fulfilled its highest duty to suf
: fering humanity. 1t has spoken, and will con-
tinue to speak, not only by its words. but by
its acts, the language OF sympathy and encour-
agement to those who listen to the tones which
pronounce the largest national liberty; but af-
ter all the most enthusiastic and potent appeal
for freedom, VIII be its own history, its trials
and its triumph. Pre- eminently, the power of
our confederacy reposes in our example, but no
example, be it remembered, can be powerful for
. lasting good, whatever apparent advantages
may be gained. which is not based upon the
eternal principles of right and justice.
Our fathers decided for themselves, both on
the power TO declare and the power to strike.
They We're their own judges Of the circumstaE-
ces under which it became necessary fos them
to pledgeto each other their lives, their for
ltunes, and their sacred hanor. fSrs The acguisi.
T!ion of the priceless Inheritance transmitted
to us. The energy with which that great con-
fiict opened u lder the guidance of benitsiGnt
Providence the induranCe with which il was
prosecuted to its consumaton, were only sur
passed by the wisdom aud spirit Of concession
which characterized all the councils of the ear.
ly fathers; and the last impressive evidence of
that wisdom is found in the fact that the actu-
al workings Of the Institutions established by
our sires has dspelled feeling of solicitude
which at the outset disturbed bold hearts. and
far reaching inte'ects.
The apprehension of dangers from extended
territory, mutipledStates ,accumua ated wealth
and augmented population, has proved to be
unfounded. The stars upon your banner have
brought nearly threetold to their original mum
Der, while your possessions skirt the shores of
| fb., ,u,., nln
ofpeople and of territory has not only shown
itself compatible with the harmonious action
of the States and the Federal Government in
their respective constitutional spheres, but has
afforded an additional guarantee of the strength
and integrity of both.
With an experience thus suggestive and
! cheering, the policy of my administration will
not be controlled by any timid forebodngs Of
evil from expansion. Indeed it has not to be
disguised that our attitude as nation and our
position on the globe. reDder the acquisition
ofcertain possessions not within our jurisdic
, ton eminently important for our protection, if
not in the future essential to the preservation
, of the rights, commerce and peace of the world
Should they be obtained, it will be by no
\ grasping spirit, but with view to obvious ma
, tona interest and security and In a manner
entirely consistent with the strIctest obser.
vance of national faith. We have nothing in
our history or position to invite aggression -
We have everything to impress upon US the
4 cultivation of relations of peace. and amity.
intend my administration shall leave no blot
upon fair name, and trust may safely give
} the assurance that no act within The legiti-
mate scope of my constitutional control will
be tolerated on the part of any portion of our
citizens which cannot challenge ready justiti-
cation before the tribunal of the civilized
! world.
An Administration would be unworthy OF
CON filpnrp n home or abroad ShOull II
cease to be influenced by the conviction iLai
= no apparent advantage can be purchased at a
price so dear as that of National wrong OF
= dishonor It is not our privilege rs nation
10 speak Of distant past. The striking mel
, dents of our history, replete with instruction
9 and furnishing abundant grounds for hope
"a fai confidence; are comprised in a period com
I paratitely brisa Bat il our pasTg, limited
: our future is boundless. The obligations that
throng the unexplored pathway Of advance
c ment, will be limtless duration. Hence
sound and comprehensive philosophy should
embrace no less the distant future than the
urgent present. The great objects of our pco
t pie. are best to be attained by peace, and are
entirely consistent with the tranquility, and
- interests of the rest of mankind. With neigh
boring nations on our continent, we should cul
5 tivate kind and friendly relations. We car
n desire, nothing so much in regard to them, as
, to see them consolidate their strength and
If IN their growth. We should open new chan
nels of trade. and create additional facilities
t for friendly intercourse, the benefits realized
: will be equal and natural OF the complicated
: European systems of national policy, we hav,
II heretofore been Independent. From there wa,
: their troubles and anxieties, We have been hap
n PLY, almost entirely exempt. While these arr
confined to the nations which gave them exis
tence and within their separate jurisdiction
they cannot effect us, except as they appeal tt
our sympathes in the cause Of human freedom
aud universal advancement. But the vast in
terests of Commerce are common to all man
kind; and the advantages of trade, and IN er
national intercourse, always present a noble
y field for the moral influence of great people,
: With these views firmly aud earnestly carried
u out, we have right TO expect. and shall, un
der all circumstances, require prompt reciproc
: ity. The rights which belong to us na
tion, are not alone to be regarded, but thos
which pertain to every citizen in his individua
capacity at home and abroad, mus. be sacred
J. maintained SO long as he can discern every sta
. in its place upon hat ensign. Without wealtl
!. TO purchase him preferment, or title to secuF
c Tor him place, it will be his privilege, ant
'. his rights must be acknowledged, to stand un
u abashcd, even in the presence of princes, will
"a proud consciousness that he is himself one o
u a nation of sovereigns, and that he cannot il
Il his legitimate pursuits be wanderer so ia
l. behind in the place which | now occupy, vii
!, not see that no rude hand of power, or of ty
1t rannical oppression is laid upon him with i'm
II punity. He must realize that upon every Sc
. and every soil where our enterprise may re
J. spectively seek the protection Of our flag
,, American citizenship is an inviolable panopl.
!, for the security Of American rights. In thi
u u connection it can hardly be necessary TO reat
n firm the no ple which should be regarded a
> fundamental. The rights. rity and re
pose OF this confederacy, reject the idea of ia
= terferance or colonization on this side Of tn
II ocean by any foreign power, beyond it's pres
e ert jurisdiction as utterly inadmissable.
+ The opportunities for observation Furnished
by brief experience as a soldier, confirmed il
4 my own mind the opinion entertained am
a acted upon by others from the formation G
. the government that the mantainance OF larg
~ standing armies in our county would be nc
D.. only dangerous but unnecessary. They ais
!. illustrated the importance; might well sa
=, the absolute necessity, Of the military, civ
!, ard practical skill, furnished in such an en
N nent degree by the institution which has mad
" your army what it is, under the discipline an
y instruction of officers, not more distinguishe
4 for their solid attanr1ents, galOantry, and de
=. voti6n to the pablic service, than for their r
r. obtrusive bearing and high moral tone. Th
~ army. as organized, must be a nucleus aroun
"a which to gather in every time of need, tn
Of strength of your military power, the sure bn
,t wark of your defence. A national militia ma
ro be readily formed into a well disciplined an
efficient organization; and the skill and Sc
y. devotion of the navy assure you that you ma
!, take the performance of the past plcdg
=. for the future, and may confidently expect tha
= the flag which has waved its untarnishcd fold
Il over every sea will siil float in undimin. she
Il honor But this ike many other subjects, wi
-, be appropriately brought up at a future tina