Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-03
ADDREss en- MR.. coNKI1Na-

l
ADDRESS SP MR. CoNKLING
Mr. PRESIDENT have the honor 10 deliver 70 vouy
EAceLency letter from the President Of the United
OF America informing you Of the termination of my
oH.otai relations with the Government of Mexico
0 nfS' auty OF diplomatic representative is reso-
un"aVering hdelity TO his own country Acting at
all uuder profound of this paramount duty
have tantly labored to fulfil it but happily this
obligation is not in general incompatible with the ndul-
gence by public Minister of friendly sen ments towards
the country which he is accredited lie is at liberty
the contrary cherish earnest wish Tor its
pcrity and happiness.
am old enough to remember the inceptiye struggles
OF your country to free itself from foreign yoke
They began not very many years after the establishment
OF the independence of my Our example had not
without its influence upon the people of Mexico They
saw us in the peaceful enjoyment of the largest measure
OF poical liberty compatible with safety the rights of
person and property and advancing with rapid strides
all the elements of national prosperity and greatness
II was natural for them, therefore, covet the like
blessings for themselves and to seek their acquisition
the same means. 1t was equally natural for watch
their struggles with faterna solicude, and to cherish
the ervent hope that they might be crowned with
cess and for myself having ceased henceforth
feel lively interest in the welfare Of your country did
not consider it incumbent discard this feeling
when came here to maintain the rights and interests
Of my own; still less did consider myself at liberty
to leopard the peaceful relations recently restored
between the two countries by arrogant pretensons,
by insisting any thing not clearly just, by ntemper
ate zeal in the prosecution Of what deemed be right
by any want of that comfy justly due from indie
pendent nation towards another or lastly by fastidous
y abstaning from such friendly Offices as, without
promising the rights dignity of my country might tend
TO the preservation Of peace and mutual friendship
Taking these principles for my guide have endeavored
steadfastly to adhere to them and if in the course Of
the multudinous transactions in which have been en-
gagged have been supposed, in any instance to have
failed in their rigid observance trust the has al
ready been forgiven and would fan hope that it will
long be forgotten
Having said all that deem it necessary address
to your Excellency in my official character, and having
thus performed my last official act may be permitted
to add very few observations private individual
came here friend of Mexico and as such / shall
take my final leave Of it.
Since my arrival nine months ago. the country has pass
ed through what may justly be regarded Of the
goomiest and discouragng periods Of its history
Your Excellency, though then present, is well in
formed of the unhappy events to which alude.
But if there those who then depaired Of the Re-
public, the event has happily shown that they
ing in just confidence in its fortunes The alarming
dency to total and irretrevable dsorganzaon which
have referred received its first check from the wisdom
holiness and spirit of eminent urst du
ring his temporary exercise Of the supreme authority Of the
nation and has, trust met its antidoe and final in
the election Of your Excelency with unexamped
nimy 10 the Chief Magstracy Of the Republic, and in
the wisdom you have displayed in the choice Of council
lors to aid you in the arduous task Of political reorgan
zation REFORM and renovation IT. in the exercise of the
mOmentous responsibility you have assumed your Excel
lency has fit temporarily, to strong
sure is because you well know that the suppression Of
the spirit Of insubordination to lawful authority long
prevalent in this country is indispensable to the
plshment Of the high purpose at which you aim
The abridgment Of the natural rights Of is in it.
self evil but without it cannot exist in social
state 1t is therefore less evil than anarchy; and
hence government in FORM becomes q social neces
sy But government to be useful must be obeyed The
extent to which, for the purpose Of securing this end it
is necessary surrender individual freedom and to arm
the civil ruler with coercve power depends upon the cir
of each particular case and know that in
this respect nations differ widely from each other. But
whatever this necessity may exist it is the part
Of wisdom voluntarily submit to It, 1t is the conscious
this truth that has reconciled the people of France
after SO many signal failures in the experiment Of free
Government the arbitrary rule recently
established in that country. Let hope that their next
essay sefgoyernment may be less unsuecessful and
hope also that the aspirations Of the early patriots
of this magnificent country may eventually be realized.
But let the people Of both countries beware how they
rashy throw of the restraints to which they sub
jected until they reasonable prospect Of being
losers by the change Let them wait until they have
become duly sensible Of the absolute necessity Of civil
government and until they have acquired the habit my
countrymen have long since done, of patient submits
sion to the laws the only condition which they can
hope for individual security and happiness, for ad
in national prosperity.
1t is only account Of its liability to abuse that
regard despotic power great evil When its ex
ercise guided by wisdom, humanity and Gsnterested
ness it ceases TO be such.
unhappy experience proves that its possession tends
obscure the judgment and peryert the moral sensbi
ties Of its possessor That your Excelency, while
tnung from necessity adhere to the sound prn
cps by which you have hitherto been guided viii strive
to guard against SO great misfortune not less to your
self than to your country well know that you will be
successful in this effort and that you win be instrument
tai in elevatDg your country to pitch Of prosperity,
greatness and eventually at no distant day, Of true lib
erty which it has never yet attained devouty hope
In conclusion, desire thus publicly to express my
profound and enduring Of the distinguished cour
tesy and Kindness have met with in all my intercourse
official and private with the citizens Of this capital from
the day OF my arrival to the present hour and should
be wanting in justice to myself If did add that
cannot without sorrow, contemplate the final severance
Of associations which have found so fattering and