Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-03-12

/ century, and the consequent augmentation
and compleyily of duties imposed, in the adj
ministration both of your home and ioteIsh
affairs.
| Whether The elements Of inherent force 10
| ihe Rspubic have kept pace with lis unpaT-
alleled progression in territory, population,
and wealth, has been The subject oil earnest
,bouobt and discussion on both sides OF the
| ocean, Less than sixiy.ihree years ago, Inc
Father OF his Country made "ihe" then ere
cent accession of the important Stale OF
North Carolina 10 the Constitution of the
United Staies,n one of the subjects of his
special congra,ula,ion. Al that mcmeni,
however, when the agitation consequent upon
The revolutionary struggle had hardly subsi.
ded when we were just emerging from the
weakness and cmbarresmen,s of the Confed-
Grafton, there was an evident consciousness
OF vigor, equal 10 the great mission so wisely
and hlavely fulfilled by our fathers. 1t was
not presumptuous assurance, bu, calm
faith, spriugiug from q clear view OF the
souices of power, in a government continued
like uuis. Ii is no paradox 10 say that, al
ihongh comparatively weak, The newborn
nation was iutlinsicaIly strong. Inconsider-
able in population and apparent resources
It was upheld by II broad and intelligent COM
| prehension Of our rights. and all. pervadire
| purpose 10 maintain Them, stronger than ar
maments. Il came from the furnace Of the
revolution, tempered 10 the necessities OF the
| times. The thoughts Of the men of that day
We're IA practical as their sentiments were
| parioic They wasted no portion Of their
energies upon idle and delusve specuations,
! but with a firm and fearless step advanced
b youd the governmental landmarks, which
| had hitherto rrcumscribed the limits Of hu-
man freedom, and planted their standard
! where it has stood, against dangers which
| have threatened from abroad, and internal
agitation, which has at times iearfuly men,
aCel al home. They approved themselves
! equal to the solution of the great problem, 10
understand which their minds had been iIlu-
minated by the dawning lights Of The revolu-
! ton. The object sought was not a thing
dreamed of: il was a thing realized They
| had exhibited not only the power 10 achieve,
! but what all history aiiirms to be so mnch
more unusual, the capacity 10 maintain. The
oppressed throughout the world, from that
day 10 the present, have turned their eyes
hitherward, not 10 find ,h6se lights eXiin-
guishcd, or 10 fear least they should wane,
bu, 10 be constantly cheered by their steady
and increasing radiance.
In this. our country has in my Judgment,
thus far fulfilled its highest duty to suffering
! j
to speak, not only by lis words, but by lis
acts, the language of sympathy, encourage
nent and hope, 10 those, who earnestly lis.
ten 10 tones, which pronounce for the largest
| rational liberty. But after all, the most an.
mating encouragement and potent appeal for
! freedom will be It's own history, its Trials and
its tlumphs. Pre-emnently, the power OF
our advocacy reposes in our example; bul
no example, be il remembered, can be pow
erful for lasting good, whatever apparent
advantages may be gained, which is not ba-
sed uron eternal principles Of right and jus.
tice. Onf fathers decided for themselves,
both upon the hour 10 declare and the hour
10 strike. They were their own judges OF
! the circumstances, under which il became
them 10 pledge 10 each other "their lives,
their fortunes, and their sacred honor" for
the acquisition of the priceless inheritance
transmitted to us. The energy, with whlch
! that great conflict was opened, and, under
the guidance of manifest and benefcent
| Providence, the uncomplaning endurance,
with which il was prosecuted 10 lis corsnma-
! ton, were only surpassed BY the wisdom and
| patriotic spirit Of concession, which charac-
terzed all the counsels Of the early fathers
One Of the most impressive evidences Of
that wisdom is 10 be fouad in the fact, that
The actual working of our system has dispel-
led degree OF socilude, which, al the ont
sell disturbed bold heaIts and farTeachmg
iuieects. The apprehension Of dangers
I from extended territory, multiplied States, ac-
rnmnlated wealth, and augmented popuIa-
tion, has proved to be unlounded. The stars
I pln your banner have become nearly three
fold their original number, your densey pop
nlated possessions skirt the shores of the two
great oceans, and yet this vast increase Of
no Nla ,,,It n,,lt. hNt
self compatible with the harmonious action
of the States and the Federal government in
their respective constitutional spheres, bni,
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 no, be controlled by any tmid forebo.
dings of evil from expansion. Indeed, ii is
not TO be disguised that onr attitude as a na-
lion, and our position on the globe, render
the acquisition Of certain possessions lot
within our Jurisdiction, eminenlly important
Tor onr proteclon if nol in The future, essen.
lial for the preservation OF the rights OF conn
merce and the peace of the world. Should
! they be obtained, il will be through no grasp
| ing spirit, hut with view 10 ohvions nation
al interest and securliy and in a manner en-
iirely consistent with the sirictest Observance
| OK ndllOldI ldlln' we nave nOlllN1 III our
history or position 10 invite aggression, we
have every thing 10 beckon US 10 the cullva-
,ion Of relations Of peace and amily with all
nations.
Purposes, therefore, al once just and paci
! fir, will be significantly marked in the con-
due, Of our foreign affairs intend that my
, administration shall leave no blot upon our
fair record, and trust may safely give the
| assurance that no act within The legitimate
scope of my constitutional control will be
tolerated, on the part Of any portion Of our
citizens, which cannot challenge ready JUS.
tiicaiion before the tribunal OF The civilized
world. An administration would be unwor.
thy of confidence at home, or respect abroad,
should it cease to be Influenced by The con.
viclion, that no apparent advantage can be
purchased at a price so dear as that of ma
lional wrong or dishonOr. Il is not your pIiv-
| ilege, as a nation, 10 speak of distant past.
The striking Incidents of your history, re-
| plete with instruction, and furnishing abun-
daui grounds for hopeful confidence, are
comprised in a period comparatively brief.
But IT your past is limited, your future is
boundIess. lis obligations ,hrong the uueX.
| plored pathway Of advancement, and will be
limilless hs duration. Hence a sound and
comprehensive policy should embrace, not