Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-03-12


pe!led degree Of solieitude, which at the
outset, disturbed bold hearts and far-reach
ing intcl!ects. The apprehension of dan
gers from extended territory, multiplied
States, accumulated wealth, and augmented
population, has proved to be unfounded.-
The stars upon your banner haze become
nearly threetold their original number youl
densely populated possessions skirt the
shores Of the two great oceans, and yet this
vast increase of people aud territory ha:
not only shown itself compitiole with the
h; r .nonIou. action of the State and the Fed
crll government in their respective con-
stitutional spheres, but has afforded an ad
ditional guarantee Of the strength and
integrity OF both. -.r
With an experience thus suggestive and
cheering, the policy of my administration
will not be controlled by any timid fore
bodings of evil from expansion. Indeed,
it is not to be disguised that our attitude
as nation, and our position on the globe,
render the acquisition of certain posses
SONS, not within our Jurisdiction, eminent
y important for oar protection, if not, in
he future, essential for the preservation
OF the rights of commerce aud the peace
of he world Should they be obtained, it
w:l he through no grasping spirit, but with
i view to obvious national interest and Sc
curity, and in manner entirely consistent
wIth the stricte,t observance of national
faith. We have nothing in our history or
position to iavite aggression, we have ev-
cry thing to beckon us to the cultivation
of relations Of peace and amity with all ma
tions. Purposes, therefore, at once just
and pacific, will be significantly marked i'll
! the conduct of our foreign affairs. l intend
that my ad inistration shall leave no blot
upon our fair record, and trust may safe
iy give the assurance that no act within the
legitimate scope of my constitutional con-
troll will be tolerated, on the part of any
portion of our citizens, which can not chal
lenge ready justification before the tr!
bunal of the civilized world. An admin
istratiou would be unworthy Of confidence
at home, or respect abroad, should it cease
to be Influenced by the conviction that no
apparent advantage can be purchased at a
price so dear as that of national wrong or
dishonor. 1t is not your privilege, as a
nation, to speak of distant past. The
striking incidents of your history, rep!ete
with instruction, and furnishing abundant
grounds for hopeful confidence, are COM
prised in period comparatively brief
Bat if your past is limited, your future is
boundless. It's obligations throng the un-
explored pathway of advancement, and will
be limitiess as duration. Hence sound
and comprehensive policy should embrace,
not less the distant future than the urgent
present.
The great objects of our pursuit, as
people, are best to be attained by peace,
ana are entirely consistent with the tran
guilty aud interests of the rest of man
kind With the neigh5oring nations up.
on our continent, we should cultivate kind
Is AMI friternal relations. We can desire
nothing in regard to them so much, as to
see them consolidate their strength, and
pursue the paths Vi prosperity aud happi-
neas. II, IN the course of their growth,
We shoa!d opeu new channels of trade and
c.edte additional facilities for friendly in
tcyc1urse, the benefits realized will be equal
aai matull. OF the complicated Euro
pean systems,Of national poity we have
heretofore been independent. From their
wars, their tu.uu!ts and aaxieties, we have
been, happily, almost entneiy exempt
Whilst ;hcsc are confined to the nations
which gave them existence, and within
their lcgltSuate jurisdiction, they can not
affect lis, except as they appeal to our SYM
pi.hics in the cause Of human freedom
and universal advancement. Bat the vast
interests of commerce are common tC all
mankind, and the advantages of trade
aad international intercourse must always
present Il noble field for the moral influence
Of a great people.
With these views firmly and honestly
carried ont, we have right to expect, and
shall under all circumstances require,
prompt reciprocity. The rights which be-
lon. to Us as Il Hlti0n are not alone to be
reg rieI, but those which pertain to ev
cry citiz in his individual capacity, at
home and abroad, must be sacrediy main
iaiued. s. long as he can discern every
stat in Its place upon that ensign, without
wealth 10 purchase for him preterment, or
;i,e TO secure for him place. 1t will be his
pr.,!lcsr. ana must be his acknowledged
right, TO stand una abashed even III the pres
cnce Of princes with proud conscious
hes. that lac is himself one of a nation of
siyereigns and that he Can not, in lcgiti-
mate pursuit, wander so far from home
tLat the agent whom he shall leave behind
in the pace which now occupy will not
SIC that no sade hand Of power or tyran-
meal passion IS laid upon him with impu-
nifty. He must realize that npon every
sea and on every soil, where our enterprise
may rightfully seek the protection of our
flag, American citizenship is an inviolable
panoply for the security of American rights.
And in this connexion it can hardly be ne
cessary to reaflirm principle which should
now be regarded as fundamental. The
rights, security, and repose Of this confed-
cracy reject the idea of interference or col
cnization On this side of the ocean by any
foreign power beyond present jurisdiction
as utterly inadmissible.
The opp, rruniiies Of observation, fur
nished by my brief experience as soldier,