The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-05

4 nens'onat dangers from extended territory. muI
uPnsu 1Aetee, accumulated wealth. and anrrnente
poPuiasaDa, has proved to be unfounded. Tn
stars upon your hAnner have become nearly thre,
fold their original number, your den.elv noc,,
lated possessions skirt the shores Of the two r.,
oceans and yet this vast increase of people an
territory has not only shown itself comnatihl
with the harmonious action of the States and IL
Federal Government in their respective constitu
tional spheres, but has afforded an additions
guarantee of the strength and integrity of both.
With an experience thus suggestive and cheer
ing, the policy of my Administration will not b
| controlled by any timid forebodings of evil fron
expansion. Indeed, it is not to be disguised tina
our attitude az a nation, and our position on th
GLOBE render the acquisition of certain possessions
not within our jurisdiction, eminently important
for our protection, if not, in the FUTURE essentia
Tor the preservation of the rights of commerce ant
the peace of the world. Should they be obtained
VIII be through no grasping spirit, but with
view to obvious national interest and security anc
IN manner entirely consistent with the strictes
observance ofnational faith. We have nothing ia
our history or position to invite aggression, we
nave every thing to beckon US to the cultivation oil
relations OF peace and amty with all nations
purposes, therefore. at once just and pacific, will
be significantly marked in the conduct of our for
eIgn affairs. | intend that my Administration
snail leave no blot upon fair record and trust
may safely give the assurance that no act within
the legitimate scope of my constitutional control
VIII be tolerated, on the part of any portion of our
citizens, which cannot challenge ready justi6ca-
ton before the tribunal of the civilized world An
administration would be unworthy of confidence
at home or respect abroad should cease to be in
nor Cd hvyf he a.. =
vantage can be purchased at a price so dear as
that OF national wrong dishonor. It is not your
privilege, as a nation. to speak of distant past
The striking incidents of your history, repIete
with instruction, and furnishing abundant grounds
Tor hopeful confidence, comprised in a period
comparatively brief. But if your past is limited
your future is boundless Its obligations throng
the unexplored pathway Of advancement, and will
be limitless as duration. Hence, a sound and COM
prehensive policy should embrace not less the
distant future than the urgent present.
The great objects of our pursuit, as people, are
Dest TO be attained by peace and entirely con.
sisent with the tranquility and interests of the
rest of mankind. With the neighborng nations
upon our continent, we should cultivate kindly
and fraternal relations. We can desire nothing
In regard to them 90 much as to see them consoi-
date their strength and pursue the paths of pros
perlty and happiness. If, in the course of their
growth, we should open new channels of trade,
and create additional facilities for friendly inter-
course, tho benefits realized will be equal and mu
tual. OF the complicated European systems of
national polity we have heretofore been independ-
ent From their wars, their tumults and anxieties,
we have been, happily, almost entirely exempt.
Whilst these are confined to the nations which gave
them existence, and within their Legitimate juris-
diction, they cannot affect US, except as they ap
peal to our sympathies in the cause of human free.
dom and universal advancement. But the vast
interests of commerce are common to all mankind,
and the advantages of trade and international in
tercourse must always present noble field for the
moral influence of great people.
With these views firmly and honestly carried
out, we have right to expect, and shall under all
circumstances require, prompt reciprocity The
rights which belong to US as 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 maintained. So long as
he can discern every star in its place upon that
ensign, without wealth to purchase for him prefer
ment, title to for him place. it will be hs
privilege, and must be bis acknowledged right, to
stand unabashed even in the presence of princes,
with proud consciousness that he is himself one
of a ndDbn of sovereigns, and that he cannot. in
legitimate pursuit, wander SO far from home that
the agent whom he shall leave behind in the place
which now occupy will not see that no rude hand
OF power or tyrannical passion is laid upon him
with impunity. He must realize that upon every
sea and on every soil, where our enterprise may
rightfully seek the protection of our flag, Ameri-
citizenship is inviolabe panoply for the
security of American rights. And, in this con-
M Ia q he To
principle which should now be regarded as funda-
mental. The rights, eecurity and repose of this
Confederacy reject the idea of interference or colo
nization on this side of the ocean by any foreign
power beyond present Jurisdiction as utterly mad
mssible.
The opportunities of observation, furnished by
my brief experience as soldier, confirmed in my
own mind the opinion, entertained and acted upon
by others from the formation OF the Government
that the maintenance of large standing armies in
our country would be not only dangerous, but un-
necessary. They also illustrated the importance,
l might well say the absolute necessity, of the
military science and practical skill furnished, in
such an eminent degree, by the institution, which
has made your army what it is, under the discip.
line and instruction of officers not more distin
gulsned ior their sod attainments, galiantry, and
devotion to the public service, than for unobtrusye
bearing and high moral tone. The army, as or
ganized, must be the nucleus around which. in
every time of need, the strength of your military
power, the sure bulwark Of your defence-a ma.
tional militia-may be readily formed into we'll
disciplined and efficient organization. And the
skill and self devotion of the navy assure you that
you may take the performance of the past as a
pledge Tor the future, and may confidently expect
that the flag, which has waved its untarnished
folds over every sea. will still float in undiminished
honor. But these, like many other subjects, will
be appropriately brought, at future time, to the
attention OF the Coordinate branches of the Gov
eminent, to which shall always look with pro-
found respect, and with trustful confidence that
they will accord to me the aid and support which
shall 90 much need, and which their experience
and wisdom will readily suggest
In the administration of domestic affairs you ex-
pect devoted integrity in the public service, and
an observance ofrigid economy in all departments
30 marked as never justly to be questioned If this
reasonable expectation be not realized, I frankly
confess that one of your leading hopes is doomed
to disappointment, and that my efforts, in very
important particular, must result in humiliating
failure OHcea-can be properly regarded only in
the light OF aids for the accomplishment of these
objects; and as occupancy can confer no preroga-
tive, nor importunate desire for preferment any
claim, the public interest imperatively demands
that they be considered with sole reference to the
claim the protection of good laws and the benign
influence of good government; but claim for Of
fee is what the people Of a republic should never
recognise. No reasonable man Of any party will
expect the administration to be regardless of ts
L oFk - L.,-. ~