Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FelloIo-eitizeas Of the Senate,
and Of the Hoase Of Representatives.:

casion, of the duty imposed upon ne,
President, is one of the best evidence
of their capacity to realize the hopes G
the founders of political system, a
once complex and symmetrical. Will
the different branches of the govern
ment are, to a certain extent, indepen
dent of each other, the duties of all
alike, have direct reference to the sourc
Of power. Fortunately, under this sys
tenn, no man is so high, and none S,
humble, in the scale Of public station
as to escape from the scrutiny, or to b,
exempt from the responsibility, whicI
all official functions imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence o
the masses, in a government thus or
ganized, is the sole reliance of the con
federacy, and the only security for hon
est and earnest devotion to its interests
against the usurpations and encroach
ments of power on the one hand, and
the assaults of personal ambition on the
other. 'r' l". '.'
The interest, of which Ihave spoken
is inseperable from an inguiring, self.
governing community, but stimulated,
doubtless, at the present time, by the
unsettled condition of our relations with
several foreign powers; by the new OBJ
legations resulting from a sudden exten-
sion of the field of enterprise; by the
spirit with which that field has been en-
tered, and the amazing energy with
which its resources for meeting the de-
mands of humanity have been devel-
oped.
Although disease, assuming at one
time the characteristics of widespread
and devastating pestilence, has left its
sad traces upon some portions of our
country, we have still the most abun-
dant cause for reverent thankfulness to
God for an accumulation of signal mer-
cies showered upon us as nation. 1t
is well that a consciousness of rapid ad-
and increasing strength be
associated with an abiding
sense of dependence upon Him who
holds in his hands the destiny of men
and of nations.
Recognizing the wisdom of the broad
principle of absolute religious.toleration
proclaimed in our fundamental law, and
rejoicing in the benign influence which
it has exerted upon our social and po-
Iitical condition, | should shrink from
clear duty, did L fail to express my deep
est conviction that we can place no Sc
cure reliance upon any apparent pro-
yresS, if it be not sustained by national
resting upon the great truths
affirmed and illustrated by divine reve-
alton. In the midst Of our sorrow for
he afflicted and suffering, it has been
,onsOling to see how promptly disaster
made true neighbors of districts and
titles separated widely from each other,
md cheering to watch the strength of
hat common bond of brotherhood,
which unites al hearts, in all parts of
his Union, when danger threatens from
abroad, or calamity impends over US at
nome.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign
powers have undergone no essential
,hange since the adjournment of the
asst Congress. With some of them,
questions of a disturbing character are
till pending, but there are good rea-
ons to believe that these may all be
adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain
las SO construed the first article of the
of the Goth of April, 1918,
n regard TO the fisheries of the north
.astern coast, as to exclude our citizens
rom some of the fishing grounds, to
which they freely resorted for nearly
quarter of century subsequent to the
late of that treaty. The United States
lave never acquiesced in this construc-
ion, but have always claimed for their
ishermen all the rights which they had
o long enjoyed without molestation.-I
With view to remove all difficulties
N the subject, to extend the rights of
ur fishermen beyond the limits fixed
y the convention of 1918, and to reg
late trade between the United States
nd the British North American Pro-
inces, negotiation has been opened,
nth a fair prospect of favorable re-
ult. To protect our fishermen in the
njoyment of their rights, and prevent
ollision between them and British fish
rmen, deemed it expedient to station
naval force in that quarter during the
shing season.
Embarrassing questions have also
risen between the two governments in
egard to Central America. Great Bri-
ain has proposed to settle them by an
arrangement, and our minister
London IS instructed to enter into ne
citations on that subject.
A commission for adjusting the
laims Of our citizens against Great
|ritain. and those Of British subjects
gainst the United States, organizedun-
er the convention of the 8sh Of Febru-
ry last, is now sitting in London for the
Of business.
It's in, many respects desirable that
le boundary line between the United
tates and the British provinces in the
orthwest, as designated in the conyen-
on of the 18th of June, 1846, and es-
ecially that part which separates the
erritory of Washington from the Brit
h possessions on the north, should be
.aced and marked / therefore present
lie subject to your notice.
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