The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-05


Address.
IL is not always customary for the Presidents OF the
United States In their messages To Congress aud in their
inaugural addresses, 10 conhne themselves within the
dry forms OF what Is called, Europe. Official Ian
gnsge" Ga The contrary their compositions usually
dbuse and oraioca Tor although the object in writing
such documents IN Europe Is generally 10 more than
is said. 10 Amenca politicians rather apt say
than is meant THIS remark is not napplieabe 10 the
address delivered. the 4h OF March. in the Capitol al
w Washington, by General Pierce, assuming the chief
magsifacy oil The United States; and We shall not
sue crIllcse very vigorously the somewhat ford and
sangaine temperament that may be traced in this dis
course. We presume that 1t is TO be taken
acknowledgement OF the public confidence aud enlh usasm
hch accompanied the nomination OF the new President
rather than deliberate pledge OF his policy and we
are very reluctant TO mpue 10 the expressions which
Gen Pierce appears TO have employed the strict political
meaning which might be attached them under other
circumstances. In the same spirit might be made
lecl OF that at the very first entertainment at
which the Pesden present his accession his
new dignity, he supported by Mr. Meagher the Irish
convict who escaped iron New South Wales by breaking
his parole But we are unwilling 10 anticipate subjects of
serious occasion to discuss in the nXt four years Gen
Pierce Is disposed 10 take once the largest and the broad
est OF the desnies OF the country which he
now called TO preside He declares that the United States
have Spoken and Will continue 10 speak, not only by their
words but by their acts the language OF sympathy and
couTagement 10 those who pronounce Tor the largest
tiona liberty He dlsdans and repudates all appehen.
sions of dangers from extended territory, multiplied States,
accumulated wealth. and augmented population. He de-
cares that his admin straton will not be controlled by
any timd forebodings of evil from expansion and he
adds that the attitude OF the United States naton and
their position the globe, render the acquisition OF GER
tain possessions not within their jurisdiction eminenty
important for their projections and perhaps, in the FUTURE
essential for The preservation of the rights of
and the peace OF the world These startling declarations
in degree qualified by that such
QUESTIONS TO be made in grasging spirit but in
entirely consistent with the strcest observance OF
national faith that relations OF peace and anity TO
be cultivated with all nations and that no act within the
control Of the PRESIDENT VIII be tolerated on the part OF
any American citizen which cannot be justified before the
civilized world
No doubt these popular and patriotic views and inten-
tons respond to the expectations OF that immense demo-
cratic majority which has placed General Pierce at the
head OF the American governments and it probable that
nothing less is expected OF The President than
combination ct all the benefits of unlimited "expanson"
with all the blessings OF peace. But il may be the sub
ject OF serious doubt how far IT consistent
The responsible head of the government TO encourage
such expectations by language addressed not only to
popular assembly at Washington, but in degree
the world The declarations OF President Pierce in favor
of peace and international law would have had even
greater authority il they had not been preceded by the
avowa OF his desire 10 extend the authority OF the Union
by the acquisition OF certain possessions not within its
Jurisdiction. And, although he is not haunted by any
forebodngs OF evil from expansion, government which
openly declares lis desire and intention of aggrandze
ment does, fact policy which must change
its position in relation 10 the other States o the world
He cannot have forgotten that whatever he hopes to
quire SEINE other State must lose, and that 10 extend
American rights is to curtai those Of other nations
There s, indeed kind OF expansion in which the
United States have already given conspicuous example
TO the world, and in which cordially desire, and TO
considerable extent participate in, their progress 1t is
the glory OF This country and oil ITS TRANSATLANTIC descend
ants that the seed OF nation which first conveyed
and sowH by British hands that continent already
overshadoWs it by its rapid and majestic growth. The
expansion of free institutions has brought the exercise
of civil rights and the enjoyment OF complete liberty
the door OF every citizen OF The United States The ex
panson OF population has poured torrent OF human life
down the valleys and the so,udes of that vast
territory, al multiplying and satisfying the wants of
new generations OF men, and connecting By common in
leress the uermost parts of the globe The expansion
OF production and Of trade has been the necessary
quence OF this prod gous increase, and General Pierce
himself remarks that trade and International intercourse
must always present noble field for The moral influence
OF q great people. To the doctrine OF expansion in
this sense we certainly oppose objection for il is
but another term for the progress and development OF
mankind.
But the mode in which General Pierce employs this
remarkable EXPRESSION and the context OF his address,
would appear 10 give II precise and less adnssi
BILE sense he appears argue because dangers have
arisen 10 the Union from extended territory, multiplied
States and augmented population long the progress
of the country coshned within its legitimate bound
aries that the OF policy may be indefinitely
pursued. He evidently reflects, with something like
iauDt, on that eminent class OF politicians who OF
opinion that the annexation OF Texas and the conquests
OF Mexican territory dangerous Innovations in The
true policy Of the United States and he seems TO imply
that those highly questionable acts the very types
the political conduct he IS prepared TO hold. Had the
Mexican produced other effect the destnes of
the United States than this If would be memorable the
event which raised to notice and 10 fame the future rulers
OF the nation and placed the government OF Washington
IN the hands OF men bred in that adventurous school
That is the history OF General Pierce himself and OF al
least three Of the members OF his new cabinet And
remark Immediate consequence that the principle
oil expansion and OF The acquisition OF territory, which
has hitherto been dsayowed, tmidy defended, by the
great majority OF American statesmen power, 10 now
proclaimed at i,s inauguration cardinal principle OF
the new administration.
We have so iile desire TO check or impede The growth
of the United States Of America in conformity with those
wise prnc pies which handed down them by the
founders OF the repabc that are satisfied the rapid
and successful progress oil that country is OF essential adj
vantage 10 Ourselves Engshmen, and 10 the general
interests OF mankind. Bul entertaining do, these
sentiments may be entitled 10 say that II is not upon
that Vulgar and material sense that the future greatness
and safety OF the United States depend On the contrary
the extension OF the institutions which have hth
erto been successful among the 10
other latudesto other OF mento countries
or less connected with European rights and independent
soveeigntes-and. In shori, 10 the vast and beteroge
neous expaDee OF whole Continents evidently the
mos, dangerous experiment that be tried for il sdan-
gerous 10 the permansnce OF the Unon and the dissou
ton oil the Union leads straight TO radical change in the
political condition of It's component States Hitherto the
government OF the United States has almost invariably
opposed barrier 10 this acquisve tendency, which
served al least 10 check the mpeuosiy of public opinion
and 10 moderate lie aggressive power by dwelling the
dangers OF too much success General Pierce discsrds
that notion altogether Tie condemns as timd fears the
apprehensons which the wses OF his predecessors have
expressed, and he gives the signal 10 60 ahead from
the presidential chair. In Europe such declaration
would be read with astonshment Il proceeded from the
head OF powerful governments but in America II Is
probable that such expressions are taken with large
fhn aIt h., all