Litchfield enquirer., 1853-03-10


 minislrHtiOn would be unworthy Of con.
 fdenoe at home or respect abroad, should
 tt aeaso to be influenced by the cOnvicIioE
 that no apparent advantage can be pur.
 chased nt a price SO dear as that of nation.
 al wrong or djshonor. It is not your pri.
 vilege as nation, to speak of ihe distant
 past. The striking incidents of your his.
 tory. replete with instruction, and fur
 nishing abundant grounds for hopeful con.
 fdelee. are comprised in . period com-
 paratively brief But # your past is Iimi-
 ted, your future is boundless. Its Obliga
 tions thrOng the upexPlOred pathway Ol
 advancement, and wall be limited as dura,
 ton Hence sound and cOmprehensive
 policy should embrace. not less the distant
 ful ure than the urgent present.
 The great objects of our pursuit. as a people. arc best to be obtained by peace, and are entirely consistent with the tran- guilty and inlereMs of the rest of mankind. With the neighbOring nations upon our continent. we should cultivate kindly and fFaternal relations. We can desire nOtt- ing in regard to them So much as to see them consolidate their strength. and pursue the paths of prosperity and happpiness.-- If 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 tho complicated European sysie ems of national policy we have here iofOre been independents. From their wars, the'r tumulss and anx,eties we have been. happily, almost entirely exempt- Whilst these are confined to the nations which gave them existence, anu within their legitimate jurisdiction, they cannot effect us, except as they appeal 10 our syrnpaihies in the cause of human freedom and universal advanc emcnt, But the vast interests of commerce are common to all mankind. and the advantages of trade and international intercourse must always pre- sent noble field tor the moral influence of grea: people
 With these views firmly and honestly carried out. we have right to expect. and shall under all circumstances require, prOmp. reciprocity. The rights which be> long to us as nation. are not alone to be regarded, but those which pertain to every citizen in his individual capacity. ut home and abroad must be sacredly maintained. So long us he can discern every star in it's place upon that ensign without wealth to purchase for him preferment, or title to secure for him place, it will be his privilege -and must be his acknowledged right-to stand unabashed even in the presence of princes. with proud consciousness that he is himself one of a nation of sovereigns, and that he cnn not, 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 most realize that upon every sea, and on every soil where our enterprise may rightfully seek the protection of our flag American citizenship is an inviolable panoply for the security of American righta. And. in this connection, it can hardly be Recassasy to reaffirm principle which. should now be regarded as fundainentai. The rights, security. and repose of this confederacy reject the idea of interference or colonization, on this side of the ocean, by any foreign power, be- yond present. jurisdiction. us utterly mad misable.
 The opportunities of observation, furnished by my brief experience as a soldier, confirms ed in my own mind the opinion. entertained aud acted upon by others ron the formation of the government. that the maintenance of arge standing armies in our country would be not only dangerous but unnecessary. They also illustrated the importance. might well say the absolute necessity of military science and practical skill furnished. in such ar eD.- nent degree. by the institution which has made your army what it is. under the discl- pline and instruction of officers not more diss inguished f,r .heir solid auainments, gallan- | ". and devotion to the public service. than Tor unosienta:iOus bearing and high moral one. The army as organized. must be the | nucleus, around which, in every time of need. he strength of your military power. the sure ,ul wask of your defence-a national mi itis nay be readily formed into well disciplined | md efficient organization. And the skill and | elf devotion ot the navy assure you that ytu nay take the performance of the past as pledge for the future. and may confidently ex~ } ct that ,he flag. which has waved its untar- lished folds over every sea. will still float in honor. But these like many aher subjects wall be appropriately brought .t a future time, to th. attention of the cos0r> lina,e branches of the government to which hall always look with profound respec,s an' with profound respect and with trusiful con | idence that they will accord to me the sit | md support which shall SD mach need and | which their experience and wisdom will req lily suggest.
 In the administration of domestic affairs ,ou expect devoted integrity in tie publi ,ervice, and an observance of rigid econola' n all departments, so marked as never iusil' \ o bs questioned. If this reasonable expecta ion be not realized. frankly confess ths me of your leading hopes is doomed to dlsal pointment. and that my efforts. in a very in. port ant part,c ular, must result in humilia ling failure. Offices csn be properly regarde. only in the light of aids tor.the accomplish ment ot these oojecls; and as occupancy ca' confer no prerogative, nor impor r:unate des'r for prefeTment any claim, the public inieres' imperatively demands that they be considere' with sole reference to the duties 10 be pc. formed. Good citizens may well claim th protection of good laws and the benign infi" ence .fgood government but claim for oi flee is what the people of republic shout never recognize. No reasonable man oi an' party will expect the administration to be s' regardless of its responsibility. and of the oh vi 1us clements of success, as to retain person. known lo he under the influence of pcliiica hostiiity and D4rtizan prejudice, in position