Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-16
TaE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Rcs<op C<ttzeHs Qf tRe sSeN0te
andof dte House Of Representatives,
The interest, with which the people
ofthe Republic anticipate the assem-
bling Of Congress, and the fulfIlment,
onthat occasion, of the duty imposed
upon a new President, is one Of the
best evidences of their capacity to re-
alize the hopes Of the founders of
poltlcal system, at once complex and
symmetrical. While the different
branches of the government are to a
certain extent, independent ofeach 9TH
er, the duties Of all, alike, have direct
reference to the source Of p5wer.-
Fortunately, under this system, no man
Is SO high, and 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 If
the masses IN government a,,us or
ganized. is the sole rels..nse Of the CON
federaey' and the onll security for hon
est and earg.iest devotion TO lis interests.
5ainst the dsurpations and eneroach-
ments OF power on the one hand, and
the Assaults Of personal ambition on the
other.
The interest, of which I have spo-
ken, IS lnseparable from an inquiring,
sef-goyerning community, but stima-
lated, doubtless, at the present time, By
the unsettled condition OF our relations
with several foreign powers; BY the new
obligation resulting from sudden ex-
tension Of the field OF enterprise; by
the spirit with which That field has been
entered, aud the amazing energy with
which its resources for meeting the
demands Of humanity has been devel-
oped, 49,.
Although disease, assuming at one
time the characteristicso ola widespread
and deyasliag pestilence has left It's
sad traces upon some portions OF our
country, We haycstil the most abund-
ant cause for reyerent thanklulncss to
God for an acoum1lationof signalmer-
eies showered upon rs rs u nation. 1t
Is well that consciousness OF rapid ad-
vancement and increasing strength be
habitually associated with an abiding
sense OF dependence upon Him who
holds IN his hands tho destiny of men
and Of nations.
Recognizing the wisdom Of the broad
principle of absolute religious tolerasion
proclaimed in our fundamental law,
and rejoicing In the benign iniluense
which It has exerted upon our social
and political condition, | should shrink
from a clear duty did fail TO express
my deepest conviction. that wo can
place no secure reliance upon any APP
parent progress ii il be not sustained
4 by national integrity, resting upon the
dgreat truths affirmed and illustrated
.divine revelation. In the midst OF
eopr sorrow for the afflicted ana suffer-
eng IL has been consollng 10 sec how
promptly disaster made true neighbors
yof districts aul cities separated widely
from each other aud cheering 10 watch
the strength OF that common bond of
brotherhood, which unites al hearts,
an all parts of this Union. when danger
threatens from abroad, or calamity I'M
pends over Us at home.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign
powers have undergone no essential
change since hcadj journment uf the
last Congress. With some of them.
questions ofa disturbing character are
still pending but there are good roas.
aons TO believe that these may be ami.
cably adjusted.
e For some years past. Great Britain
: Inns 80 construed the first article of the
congendon OF the Goth OF April, 1919,
lin regard 10 the fisheries ON lhe north.
seastorn coast, ~ to exclude our citi-
izens from some ofthe fishing grounds,
70 which they freely restortel for near.
Iva quarter Ola century subsequent To
the date OF that treaty. The United
ststos have never haquieaced In this
construction. but have always claimed
Tor their fishermen all the right which
they had so long enjoyed without mo-
lastauon. With view to remove all
difficulties on the subject, 10 oxtend
the rights ofour fishermen beyond the
limits liked by the convention of 1919.
aud 10 regulate trade between the
United States aud tho British North
american provinces. negotiation has
been opened. with a fair prospect of u
favorable result TO protect our fab
ermen In the enjoyment Of theirightS,
and prevent collision between them
and British dshermen. deemed it
expodlent 10 station a naval force
In that quarter during the fishing sea-
son.
Embarrassing questions have also
arisen between the two Governments
in regard to Central America. Great
Britain has proposed TO settle them by
an amicable arrangement, and our
Minister ut London Is instructed TO
enter into negotiations on that sub
ject.
= Acommission for adjusting the claims
l.of our citizens against Great Britian.
q and those OF British subjects against
the United States. organized under the
1 convention ofthe och of February last,
Il now sitting in London for the trans
action of business. lt.fH
IL IL in many respects desirable that
the boundary line between tho United
States and the British provinces In tho
northwoat. az designated In the con.
vcntiop Of tho 10th June. i0i6, and
especially that part. which separates
The Territory OF Washington from the
British possessions on the north, should
be traced and marked. | therefore
present the subject 70 your notice.
with France our relations continue
on the most friendly footing. The
extensive commerce between the Uni.
tod States aud that country might. Il
u conceived, bo ruleaaed froni uomo
- unnecessary restrictions to tho mutual