Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-03-16

or respect abroad, should it to be influence
ed by the conviction that no apparent advantage
can be purchased at price so dear as that of
national wrong or dishonor. 1t not our priv
ilege as nation, to speak Of distant past
The striking incidents of our history, replete
with instruction, and furnishing abundant
grounds for hopeful confidence, are comprised
in a period comparatively brief; but if our past
is limited, our future Is boundess. The explo-
rations through the pathway of advancement
will be limitless in Duration; hence sound and
comprehensive policy should embrace no less
the distant future than the urgent present
The great objects Of our pursuits as people
are best to be attained by peace, and are entire
ly consistent with the tranquility and interest of
the rest of mankind.
With the neighboring nations on this CONT
nent we should cultivate kindly and fraternal re-
ations. We can desire nothing in regard to
them so much as to see them consolidate their
strength and pursue the paths of prosperity 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 ma
tional policy, we have heretofore been independ-
ent-from their wars, their tumults, and their
anxieties, we have been happily almost exempt.
While these are confined to the nations which
gave them existence, and within their separate
jurisdiction, they cannot effect us except as they
appeal to our sympathies for the cause of human
freedom and universal advancement But the
vast interests of commerce are common to all
mankind, and the advantages of trade and inter-
national intercourse must always present noble
| field for the moral influence of n great people.
With these views firmly and earnestly carried
out, we have right to expect, and should under
al! circumstances require, prompt reciprocity.
The rights which belong to us as nation are
not alone to be regarded, but those which apper-
tain to every citizen in his individual capacity,
at home and abroad, must be sacredly maintain
ed, so long as he can discern every star in its
place upon that ensign. Without wealth to pur-
chase 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 con-
! seriousness that he is himself one of a nation of
soyeregns, and that he cannot, in Legitimate pur-
suits, wander so far from home that the agent
whom he shall leave behind, in the place which
now occupy, will not see that the rude hand
of power or tyranncal passion is laid upon him
with impunity. He must realize that, upon ev-
v
may respectfully seek the protection of our flag,
American citizenship is an inviolabe panoply
for the security of American rights, and in this
connection, it can hardly be necessary to re-af.
firm the principles which should now be regard
ed as fundamental. The rights of security and
repose of this confederacy rejects the idea of in
reference or colonization on this side of the
ocean, by any foreign power, beyond present ju-
risdictiOn aS utterly nadmisSible
The opportunities of observation furnished
by my brief experience as soldier, confirmed
in my owD mind the opinion entertained and act
ed upon by others from the formation Of the
government, that the maintenance oflarge stand
ing armies in our country would be not only
dangerous, but unnecessary They also Illus
trated the Importance, might say, will say, the
absolute necessity, of the military, civil and prac-
teal skill, furnished in such an eminent degree
by the constitution, which has made your army
what it is, under the discipline and instruction
of officers not more distinguished for their solid
attainments, gallantry, and devotion to the pub
lie service than for unobtrusive bearing and high
moral tone. The army, as organized, must be a
nucleus around which, in every time of need
the strength of your military power, the sure
bulwark of your defence, a national militia, may
be readily formed into well disciplined and eff
tcient organization and the skill and selfdevo.
ton Of the navy assure you that you may take
the performance of the past as pledge for the
future, and may confidently expect that the flag
which has waved its untarnished folds over eve.
ry sea, will still float in undiminished honor.
But these, like many other subjects, will be
appropriately brought, at a future time, before
the attention of the coordinate branches of the
government, to which shall always look with
| profound respect, and with trustful confidence
that they will accord to me the aid and support
which | shall so much need and which their ex
perience and wisdom will readily suggest.
In the administration of domestic affairs, you
will expect devoted interest in the public ser
vice and an observance of rigid economy in al
departments so marked as never greatly to be
questioned. If this reasonable expectation b(
not realized, frankly confess that one of my
leading hopes will be doomed to disappointment
and that my efforts in every important particu
lar must result in humiliatipg failure Officer.
can be properly regarded only in the light O.
aids for the accomplishment of these objects
and as occupancy can confer no prerogative il
the importunate desire for preferment of any
claims, the public interest imperatively demand,
that they be considered with sole reference tt
the duties to be performed. Good citizens may
well claim the protection of good laws, and thu
benign influence of good government; but
| .Ia Co. = Al l. L