Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

/
| House of Representatives.
The interest, with which the people of
the Republic anticipate the assembling of
Congress, and the fuiflment, on that oc-
casion, of the duty imposed upon new
President, is one of the best evidences of
| their capacity to realize the hopes of the
founders of a political system. at once
complex and symmetrical. While the
different branches of the Government are,
to n certain extent, independent of each
other, the duties of all. alike. have direct
reference to the source of power. For
tunately, under this system. no man is SO
high, and none so humble, in the scale of
public station, as to escape from the scru-
tiny, or to be exempt from the responsible
lity 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 inseperable from an iuquirlng, self-go-
verning community, but stimulated,
doubtless, at the present time by the un-
settled condition of our relations WITH Sc
veral foreign powers 4; by the new obliga-
tions resulting from sudden extension
of the field of enterprise ; by the spirit
with which that field has been entered,
and the amazing energy with which its
resources for meeting the demands ol
humanity, have been developed.
Although disease. assuming at one
time the characteristics of widespread
and devastating pestileuce, has left its sad
traces upon some portions of our country
we have still the most abundant cause fol
reverend thankfulness to God for an ac-
cumulation of signal mercies showered
upon US as a nation. 1t is well that {
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 des
tiny of men and nations.
Recognizing the wisdom of the broad
principle of absolute religious toleration,
proclaimed in our fundamental law, and
rejoicing in the benign influence which i
has exerted upon our social and political
condition, 1 should shrink from a clear
duty. did fail to express my deepest con
viction that we can place no sure reliance
upon any apparent progress, if it be not
sustained by national integrity, resting
: upon the great truths affirmed and illus
trated by divine revelation. In the mids
: of our sorrow for the afflicted and suffer
: ing, it has been consoling to see how
: promptly disaster made true neighbors o
districts and cities separated widely from
each other, and cheering to watch the
strength of that common bond of broth
i, erhood which unites all hearts, in all
parts of this union, when danger threat
: ems from abroad, or calamity impends
: over US at home.
; Our diplomatic relations with foreign
powers have undergone no essentia
change since the ad lournment of the las
Congress. With some ofthem. questions
of disturbing character are still pending
but there are good reasons to believe tha
: these may all be amicably adjusted
For some years past, Great Britain ha
so construed the first article ofthe conven
ton Of the goth of April, 1918, in regart
to the fisheries on the northeastern coast
as to exclude our citizens from some o
the fishing grounds. to which they freel,
> resorted for nearly quarter of a centur!
l subsequent to the date of that treaty
l The United States have never acquiescet
+, in this construction, but have alway
claimed for their fishermen all the right
which they have so long enjoyed withou
molestation. With view to remove a
difficulties on the subject, to extend tn
, rights of our fishermen beyond the limit
! fixed by the convention of 1918, and t
regulate the trade between the Unite
States and the British North American
t provinces, negotiation has been opene
with fair prospect of a favorable resul
To protect our fishermen in the enjoymer
4 of their rights, and prevent collision be
!. tween them and the British fishermen,
deemed it expedient to station nav'