The Aliened American., 1853-04-09


An administration would be unworthy of
confidence at home, or of respect abroad,
should it cease to be influenced by the con-
vlctlon that no apparent advantage can be
purchased at price so dear as that of
national wrong or dishonor. 1t is not your
privilege as a nation to speak of distant
past; the striking incidnets of your history,
replete with instruction, and furnishing
abundant grounds for hopeful confidence
are comprised in period comparatively
short. But if your past is limited. your
futureis buundless. Its obligations through
the unexplored pathway of its advancement
will be as limitless as its duration. Hence
sound and comprehensive policy should
embrace not less the distant future, than
the urgent present The great objects of
our pursuit as people are best to be OBJ
tanned, and are entirely consistent with the
Il lquility andinterest ofthe rest ofmankind
and with the neighboring nations on our con-
tinent we should cultivate kindly and friendly
relations. We can d Sre nothing in regard
to them, so much as to see them consolidate
their strength and pursue the paths fpros-
perity and happiness. II, in the course of
their growth We should open new channels
OF trade, and create additional facilities for
| friendly intercourse, the benefits realized
will be equal and mutual.
! Of the complicated European system of
national policy we have heretofore been in
dependent, From their wars, tumults, and
anxietles., we have bean almost entirely ex-
onfpt. W lhilst these are confded to the
nations which gave them existence. and
with it their legitimate jurisdiction, they
cannot effect us except as they appeal to
our sympathies in the cause Of human free
! dom and universal advancement; but the
vast interests or commerce are cQmnQn to
all mankind, and the advantages of trade
and international intercourse must always
present noble fields for the moral influence
of great people. With these views firmly
and honestly carried out, we have a right
to expect. and shall, under all circumstances
require prompt reel procity. The rights
which belong to us as a nation are not alone
to be regarded, but those which pertain to
every citizen in his individual capacity at
home and abroad must be sacredly main
tanned, So long as he can discern every
star in its place upon that ensign, without
wealth to purchase for him preferment, OF
title to secure for him place, it will be his pri
vilege, and must be his acknowledged right
to stand unabashed even in the presence o.
princes, with proud consciousness that ht
is himself one of nation of sovereigns, ,anC
E that he cannot, in legitimate pursuits, wan
der so far from home that the agent whom
he shall leave behind in the place which
now occupy will not see that no rude hant
of power or tyrannical passion is laid upol
him with impunity. He must realize tina
upon every sea and on every soil, wher,
our enterprise may rightfully seek the pro
lection of our flag, American citizenship i
an inviolable panoply for the security 0
| American rights; and in this connection
can hardly be necessary to reaffirm prin
ciple which should now be regarded as fun
damentaI This rights, security and rep0s'
of this confederacy reject the idea of inter
. ference or colonization on this side of tn
ocean by any foreign power, beyond presen
jurisdiction, as utterly inadmissable.
The opportunities of observation fur
nished by my brief experience ae q soldier
confirmed in my own mind the opinion en-
tertained and acted upon. by others from
the formation of the gnvdrnnaont, that Tia
maintenance of large standing armies in ou
country would be not only dangerous, but un
necessary. They also illustrate the impor
tance, | might well say the absolute necess
ity, of military science and practical ski
furnished in such an eminent degree by tht
institution which has made your army wha
it is under the disci pine and instruction o
officers, not more distinguished for the sole
attainments gallantry, and devotion to tn,
public service, than for unobtrusive bearing
/ and high moral tone,
The army, as organized, must be anucleu
around which, in every time of need, t.
rally the strength of your military power
and the sure bulwark of your defence,
national militia, may be readily formed int
we'll disciplined and effectively organized
army; and the skill and self-devotion of the
navy assure you that you may take tn,
performance of the past as pledge fer ths
future, and may confidently expect tha
the flag which has waved its untarnishet
E folds on every sea, will still float in undi
minisheq honor But tLsse, like many othe
subjects, will be appropriately brought a
future time to the coordinate branches 0
government, to which | shall always lool
!, with profound respect, and with trustfu
confidence that will accord to me the ait
and support which | shall SO much neet
and which their experience and wisdom vii
readily suggest
In the administration Of domestic affair
you will expect devoted integrity in tht
public service, and an observance of ripiC
, economy in all departments SO marked as ne
yer greatly ta be questioned. If this reason
able expectation be not realized, | frankly
confess that our and your leading hope.
are doomed to disappointment, and that my
efforts in a very important particular mus
result in a humiliating failure Offices car
be properly regarded only in the light OF
aids for the accomplishment of those objects
| and as occupancy can confer no prerogatve
or importunate desire for preferment, every
claim of the public interest imperatively
demands that they be conducted with sole
reference to the duties to be performed
Good citizens may well claim the pro-
lection of good laws and the benign in
/ fuence of good government, but claim
for Office is what the people of a republic
should never recognize. No reasonable
man of any party will expect his admins
tration to be so regardless Of its responsi-