Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-09

rest of mankind. With We neighbcring nations
uponaour continent, we should cultivate kindly and
israternal relations We can desire nothing in re-
gard to them 50 much as to see them consolidate
their strength and pursue the paths of prosperity
and happiness If, i'll the course of their growth,
we should open new channels of trade, and create
additional facilities for friendly intercourse, the
benefits realized will be equal and mutual. Vi the
complicated European systems of national pohty
we have heretofore been independent. From their
wars, their tumuts and anxieties we have been,
! happily, almost entirely exempt. Whilst these
are confined to the nations which gave them exist
encc and within their legitimate jurisdiction they
cannot affect u.s. except as they appeal to our sym
pathies in the cause of human freedom and unlver-
| sal advancement. But the vast interests of COM
merce are common to all mankind, and the ad-
vantages of trade and international intercourse
must al ways present noble field for the moral
influence OF Il great people.
| With these views firmly and honestly carried
out we have right to expect, and shall under all
circumstances require, prompt reciprocity. The
rights which belong to a nation are not alone
to be regarded, but those which pertain to every
citizen in his individual capacity, at home and
abroad, must be sacredly maintained. So long as
he can discern every star in its place upon that
ensign, without wealth to purchase for him pre-
ferment or title to for him place, it will be
his privilege and must be his acknowledged right,
to stand unabashed in the presence OF princes
with proud consciousness that he is himself one
of nation of sovereigns, and that he cannot, in
legitimate pursuit, wander so far from home that
the agent whom he shall leave behind in the place
winch now occupy will not see that no rude hand
of power or tyrannical passion is laid upon him
with impunity He must realize that upon every
sea and on every soil, where our enterprise may
rightfully seek the protection of our flag, Amer
can citizenship is an inviolabe panopy for the Sc
AL !
nexion, it can hardly be necessary to re-affrm a
principle which should be regarded us funda-
mental. The rights, security, and repose Of this
Confederacy reject the idea of interference colo
nization on this side of the ocean by any foreign
power beyond present jurisdiction, as utterly mad
missible
The opportunities of observation, furnished by
my brief experience as soldier, confirmed in my
own mind the opinion, entertained and acted upon
by others from the formation of the Government
that the maintenance of large standing armies in
our country would be not only dangerous, but I'M
necessary. They also illustrated the importance
| might well say the absolute necessity of the mil
itary science and practical skill furnished, in such
an eminent degree, by the institution, which has
made your army what it is, under the discipline and
instruction of officers not more distinguished for
their solid attainnents, gallantry, and devotion to
the public service, than for unobtrusive bearing
and high moral tone. The army, as organized
must be the nucleus around which, in every time
of need, the strength of your military power, the
sure bulwark of your defence-a national militia
may be readily formed into well-disciplined
and efficient organization. And the skill and self
devotion of the navy assure you that you may take
the performance of the past a pledge for the
future, and may confidently expect that the flag,
which has waved its untarnished folds over every
sea, will still float in undininished honor. But
these, like many other subjects, will be appropri-
atey brought, at future time to the attention of
the coordinate branches of the Government, to
which | shall always look with profound respect,
and with trustful confidence that they will accord
to me the aid and support which shall so much
need. and which their experience and wisdom will
readily suggest.
In the administration of domestic affairs, YOU en-
pect devoted integrity in the public service, and
an observance of rigid economy in all departments
marked justly to be questioned. If
this reasonable expectation be notreaized frank
" confess that of your leading hopes is DOOM
ed to disappointment, and that my efforts, in
very important particular, must result in humili-
ating failure. Offices can be properly regarded
only in the light of aids for the accomplishment of
these objects; and occupancy can confer no
prerogative, nor mportunate desire for preferment
any claim, the public interest imperativey demands
that they be considered with sole reference to the
QuueS 10 De performed. CTOOQ cltlZenS may well
claim the protection of good laws AMI the benign
influence of good government; but claim for Office
is what the people of republic should never re-
cognise. No reasonable man of any party will
expect the administration to be so regardless of its
responsibility, and of the obvious elements of sue
cess as to retain persons known to be under the
influence of political hostility and partzan preju
dice, in positions which will require, not only
we're labor, but cordial cooperation. Having no
implied engagements to ratify, no rewards to be-
stow, no resentments to remember, and no personal
wishes to consult in selections for official station,
shall fulfil this difficult and delicate trust admitting
no motive as worthy either of my character or po-
sition, which does not contemplate efficient dis
charge of duty and the best interest of my coun-
try. 1 acknowledge my obligations to the masses
of my countrymen, and to them alone. Higher
objects than personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT gave direc-
ton and energy to their exertons in the late can
vass, and they shall not be disappointed. They
require at my hands diligence, integrity, and
pacity, wherever there duties to DO perform
ed. Without these qualities in their public SER
wants, more stringent laws, for the prevention or
punishment of fraud, negligence and peeulation,
will be vain. With them, they will be unneces-
sary.
But these are not the only points to which you
look for vigilant watchfulness. The dangers of
concentration of all power in the General Govern
ment of Confederacy SO vast as ours, are too OBJ
vous to be disregarded. You have right, there
fore, to expect your agents, in every dep artment
to regard strictly the limits imposed upon them by