Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-03-12

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shores of two great oceans; aud yet
their vast increase of people and ter
ritory, has not only shown itself cum.
patiblc with the harmonious action of
the State and the Federal Government
in their respective constitutional
spheres, but has afforded an addition
al guarantee of the strength and in
,egrity Of both.
With an experience thus suggest.
i've and cheering, The policy Of my ad-
ministration ,oiH not be controlled by
any timM toredod,ngs Of eril from er-
pansion. 1t is not tobe disguised that
our attitude as a nation, and our posi-.
tim OH the globe, render the acquisi.
ton Of certain possessions, not within
our jurisdiction, eminently important
for our protection, if not now, at least
in the future, and essential for the
preservation of .herights Of commerce
and the peace Of the world. Should
they be Obtained, it will be through
no grasping spirit, but with view to
obvious national interest aud security,
and in manner entirely consistent
withthe strictest observance ofnution-
al faith.
We have nothing in our history or
position to invite aggression; we have
everything TO bcckon to the cultiva'
lion of relations Of peace and amity
with all nations. Purposes, therefore,
a. once just and pacific, will be sig,
nifcan,ly marked in the conduct of
our foreign affairs. ! intend that my
administration shall leave no foul blot
upon our fair record, and | trust |
may safely give the assurance that no
act within The legitimate scope ofmy
constitutional coniroD, will be tolerat-
ed on the part of any portion of our
citizens, which cannot challenge rea-
dy justification before the tribunal of
the civilized world. An administra-
ton would be unworthy of confidence
at home or abroad, should it cease to
be Influenced by the conviction that
no apparent advantage can be purchas-
ed at a price so dear as that Of nation
al wrong and disbonor.
tits not your privilege as a nation
to speak of distant past. The stri-
king incidents of your history are re-
plete with instruction, and furnishing
abundan, grounds for hopeful conf.
dence, are comprised in period com
paratively recent-but, ifyour past is
limited, your future is boundless. Its
obligations throng the unexplored
pathway Of advancement, and will be
iimi.less as duration. Hence sound
and comprehensive policy should en-
brace not less the distant future than
the urgent present.
The great objects Of our pursuit, as
a people. are best to be attained by
/, peace-and are entirely consistent
with the tranquility and interest o.
the rest Of mankind" With the
: neighboring nations on our continent
we should cultivate kindly and frater
!, nal relations; we can desire nothing
in regard to them so much as to see
fs IT, IL The .soass 81 tfsii
!, growth, we should open new channel.
!, Of trade, and crea,e additional facili
tiles for friendly intercourse, the hen
e6ts realized will be equal and mutual
Of the complicated European sys
, TENS Of national polily we have here
tufore been independent. From theil
, wars, their tumults, and anxie,ies, W.
have been happily almost entirely ex
empt. Whilst these are confined To
the nations which gave them existence
and within their legitimate jurisdic.
ton, they cannot affect us-except as
they appeal to our sympathies in the
cause Of human freedom and univer.
sal advancement. But the vast inter.
ests Of commerce are common to all
mankind, and the advantages Of trade
and International intercourse must al.
!. ways present noble field for the mo-
, raj influence Of a great people. With
these views, firmly and honestly car.
ried out, we have a right to expec,
and shall under all circumstances re.
quite prompt reciprocity. The rights
which belong to us as nation are
not alone to be regarded, but those
which pertain 10 every citizen, in his
individual capacity, at home and a
broad, must be sacredly maintained.
So long as he can discern every star
in its place upon tina. ensign, without
wealthto purchase for him preferment,
or title, to secure for him place, j, will
be his privilege and must be his &c.
knowledgcd right to stand unabashed
even in the presence Of princes. with
a proud consciousness that he is him.
self one of nation Of sovereigns-
aud that he cannot, III his Legitimate
pursuits, wander SO far from home,
that the agent whom he should leave
behind lin the place which l now &C.
cupy,) will not see that no rude hand
of power or tyrannical passion is laid
I upon him with immunity. He must
realize that, upon every sea and on