The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1853-03-11


to the nations, with which they originated, and
within their legitimate Jurisdiction, they can
not affect US, exceptin appealing TO oursympa
thies in the cause of human freedom and uui-
-versal advancement. But the vast interests of
Commerce are common to all mankind; and the
advantages of trade and international inter-
course must always presentnoble fields for the
moral influence of great people !, with these
views, firmly and honestly carried out,we have
a rightto expect, and shall, under all circum
stances, require prompt reciprocity. Therights
which belong to US as a nation are not alone to
be regarded, but those which pertain to every
citizen, inhis individual capacity .at home and
abroad, must be sacredly maintained SO long
as he can discern every star IN its placeupoi
that ensign, though he may be without wealth
TO purchase for himself palace, It will be his
privilege, ,and must be his acknowledged right /.
to stand mabashed, even in the presence of
princes, with the proud consciousness, that he
is himseltone of a nation o. soyereigus ;and that
he cannot, IN his legitimate pursuits, wander
SO far from home, that the agent he shall .loave
behind, in the place lnow occupy, will not see
that no rude hand of,power or tYrannical pas
sion, shall be laid upon him with impunity -
He must realize, that upon every sea and upon
every soil, where our enterprise may rightfully
seek the proteetionof our flag American citi-
zenshipi is an invaluable panoply for the secu-
rity Of the Americans rights and, in this con.
nectlon, it can hardly be necessary to reaffirm
pr ciplt, which s6ou now be regarded "a
fundamental, /, the right, for the security ana re-
pose of this conlederacy, to REJECT the idea Of
interference or coloniz ltion on this side of the
ocean, by any foreign power beyond Its present
Jurisdiction, as utterly inadmissable.
The opportunities of observation, furnished
by my brief experience as soldier, confirms
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 county, would be not
only dangerous, but unnecessary. They also
illustrate the importance, might well lsay the
absolute necessity, in military service, of prac-
tical skill which has made our army what it is
Our army. as organized, must be the nucleus,
around which in every time Of need, the
strength of your military power, the national
malitiaI may be readily formed into well dis
ciplned and efficient organization. The skill
and self devotion of the navy, assure you that
you may take the performances of the past as
a pledge for the future and you may contident-
ly expect that the flag which has waved unfair
nished its folds over every sea will still float in
undiminished honor. But these, as well as
many other subjects will be brought before you
at the appropriate time, through the su6ordi
nate branches of the Government, TO which |
shall always LOOK with profound respect, AMI
with trustful confidence, for that cordial aid
and support which shall so much need, and
with their experience nd wisdom will readily
suggest, in the administration of our domestic
affairs. You expect a devoted integrity in the
! public service, and all observance in all its de-
lpartmentS,so markedas never Justly to be ques-
ftioned;and ifthis reasonable expectation bo not
4 realized frankly confess that one of my lead
ing hopes is doomed to disappointmenta and that
my if?rts, in very important rticular must
result in humiliatng failure. Offices can be
properly accepted, only as aids for the accom-.
plishment Of these objects, aud, as occupancy,
can confer no perogative, nor inordinate de-
sire for prefermeDt any claims, the public in
terest imperatiyely demands, and every good
citizen may and will claim the protection of
good laws, and the benign influence of a good
government but claim for Office is what the
people OF the Republic should never recognize,
and no reasonable man OF any party will ex.
pect the administration to be so regardless off its
Responsibility, and the obvious elements of
Its success, as to restrain persons known to be
Iunder the influence of political hostility aud
| rtizan prejudice, in positions which will re-
quire, not only severe labor, but cordial co
Operation. Having noimpied engagements to
Iratify, no rewards to bestow, no Tesentments
Ito remember, no personal wishes 10 consult in
lselectng for official stations, shall fulfill the
lCificult and delicate trust admitting no mo-
Tive as worthy eithermy character or position,
(which does not contemplate an efficient dis
charge on my duty and the best interest of my
Icountry.
acknowledge my obligations to the masses of my
countrymen aud To them alone; ana as higher OBJ
jecs than personal aggrandizement gave direction to
heir exertions Ia the late canvass, they shall not be
disappointed. They require Ut my hands, diligence,
lnegdty and capacity, wherever there are duties to
be performed; and, without this guaranteed quality
prevention or punishment for negligence ami peeua-
ttion VIII be vain, and with them, they would DO
necessary Butthese are not the only points 10 which
you look for vigllant watchfulness The dangers Of
the concentration OF all the powers In the general
government, in confederacy vast ours, Is too
obvious to be disregarded You have right, there
fore to expect your agents, In every department, to
regard strictly The limits imposed upon them by The
constitution. The great scheme OF constitutional
/ liberty rests upon proper distribution Of the pow
or between the State and federal authority and ex-
perience has shown that the harmony and happiness
OF our people depends upon the best discrimination
between the separate rights and responsibilities ofthe
States and your common rights. And herein, In my
opinion, nre the considerations which should form the
questions which have most seriously disturbed the
Il public tranquility, II the government exercise the
4 powers clearly granted by the Constltutior II can
hardly happen thaits action upon any question should
Iieldanger tho. institution Of the States, or interfere
with their rightto manage matters of strictly do
mesiic character according to the will oftheir own
a people. ,. - ssrf a.slrHY 5s,sts &
lnexpressing my views briefly upon an Important
subject which has recently agitaed the nation TO an
almost fearful degree, am moved by no other Inn
pulse than al earnest desire for tho peTpetuaon OF
that union which has made us what weare showerlng
u upon Us blessings and conferng power and inhu-
ence which our fathers could hardly have anticipate
ed eyehuith their most sanguino hopes directed 10
a far-Onlhture. The senti ients | now announce
were mot unknown before the expression ofthat voice
which called me here; my own position upon this
subject was clear and unequvocal In the record of
my words and acts; and Is only recurred 10 ut this
time, because my silence might be perhaps miscon-
strued With the Union my dearest earthly hopes are
it, what are we, individually coli
Il lectively. What becomes of the nobest field ever
opened for the advancement Of our race in religion,
In governments in the arts and In all that dgnhes aud
adorns mankind. From that radiant constellation,
which both illuines own way and points out 10
struggling nations their course, bullet single star
be lost, and II utter darkness does not fllow, the
Il lustre OF the whole Is diminished,
Il Do my countymeeE need any assurance that such
catastrOphe Is not TO overtake them, while possess
the powerto stay t. Its, with me, an earnest and
Vital belief that the Union has been the source,
under Providence, of our prosperity up 70 this time,
so tits pledge of the continuance Of tho blessings
we hlve ehjoyed and which we are sacredy bound 10
transmit undiminished 10 our children. 7FD tg8ff
II Tho field of calm and free discussion IN our coun-
try, Is open, and will always be sol but II never has
been and never can be raversed for good in spirit
Of sectionalism aud uncharableness. The founders
4 OF the Republic dealt with things as they were pro-
sented % them, In spirit of sefsacracing patriot
wisdom which will be always safe for us 70 con
.. 3 Z,