The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Delivered in the House of RepreSen-
tatiVes and Senate of the United
CRESCENT 12 leg O'Clock, Tuesday,
December 6, 1858.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND OF
THE House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The interest, with which the people of
the Republic anticipate the assembling Of
Congress, and the fulflment on that oc-
casion, of the duty imposed upon a new
President, is one of the best evidences
of their capacity to realize the hopes Of
the founders of political system, at
once complex and symmetrical, While
the different branches of the government
are, to a certain extent, independent OF
each other, the duties of all, alike, have
direct reference to the source of power.
Fortunately, under this system, no man
is so high nor none so humble, in the
scale of public station, as to escape from
the scrutiny, or to be exempt from the
responsibility, which all official functions
imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence of the
masses in government thus organized,
is the sole reliance of the confederacy,
and the only security for honest and ear
nest devotion to its interests, against the
usurpations and encroachments of power
on the one hand, and the assaults of per-
sonal ambition on the other.
The interest, of which have spoken,
is inseparable from an inquiring, self
governing community, but stimulated,
doubtless, at the present time, by the un-
settled condition of our relations with
several foreign powers; by the new obi
cations resulting from sudden extension
Of the field of enterprise by the spirit
which that field has been entered, and
the amazing energy with which its resour-
ces for meeting the demands of humanity
have developed.
Although disease. assuming at one time
the characteristics of widespread and
devastating pestilence has left its sad ira
ces upon some portions of our country,
we have still the most abundant cause for
reverent thankfulness to God for an ac-
emulation Of signal mercies showered
upon us as nation. 1t is well that a
consciousness of rapid advancement and
increasing strength be habitually associa-
ted 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 federation
proclaimed in our fundamental law, and
rejoicing in the benign influence which it
has exerted upon our social and political
condition, l should shrink from clear
duty did l fail to express my deepest con-
viction, that we can place no reliance upon
any apparent progress, if it be not sus-
tanned by national integrity, resting upon
the great truths affirmed and illustrated
by divine revelation. In the midst of our
sorrow for the afflicted and suffering, it
has been consoling to see how promptly
disaster made true neighbors of districts
and cities separated widely from each 9th
er, and cheering to watch the strength OF
that common bond of brotherhood, which
unites all hearts, in all parts of this Union,
when danger threatens from abroad, or
calamity impends over us at home.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign
powers have undergone no essential change
since the adjournment of the last Con.
gress. With some of them, questions Of
disturbing character are still pending,
but there are good reasons to believe that
these may all be smicably adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain has
SO construed the first article of the con
vention of the goth of April, 1918, in re.
gard to the fisheries on the north eastern
coast, as toexclude our citizens from some
of the fishing grounds, to which they free
ly restored for nearly quarter of cen
tury subsequent to the date Of that trea-
ty. The United States have never acqui'
esced in this construction, butbave always
claimed for their fishermen all the rights
which they had so long enjoyed withou
molestation. With view to remove al
difficulties on the subject to extend th'