Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-12-17
NJ ESSAGE ID.
Felloeo- citizens Of tie Senate

(
The interest, with which the people of the Re /
public anticipate the assembling of Congress, and
the lulhiment, on that occasion, of the duty i'm
posed upon new President, is one of the best
evidences OF their capacity to realize the hopes of
The founders OF political system, at once com
pick and symmetrical. While the different branch
es OF the government are, to a certain extent in
dependent of each other, the duties of all. alike,
have direct. reference to the source of power
fortunately, under this system, no man is so hioh
and none so humble, in the scale of public station.
as to escape from the scrutiny. or to be exempt
iron the responsibility, which all official functions
imply. ~ -
Upon the justice and intelligence of the masses,
ina government thus organized, is the sole reli-
ance of the confederacy and the only security for
honest and earnest devotion to its interests against
the usurpatlens and encroachments of pow er on
the one hand, and the assaults Of personal am
bitlon on the other
The interest. of which [ have spoken, is insepa-
rable from an inquirlng, sef-governing commun-
ty, but stimulated, doubtless at the present time
by the unsettled condition of our relations with
several foreign powers by the new obligations
resulting from sudden extension of the field of
enterprise by the spirit with WHICH that field has
1 been entered, and the amazing energy with which
Its resources for meeting the demands of humani-
| ty have been developed. -- s.
Although disease, assuming at one time the
/ characteristics Of widespread and devastating
pestllence, has left its sad traces upon some por-
tons of our country. we have still the most album
dant cause for reyerent thankfunes to God for an
accumulation of signal mercies shoWered upon us
as nation. It is well that consciousness of
rapid advancement and increasing strength be
habltually associated with an abiding sense of de-
pendence upon Him who holds in his hands the
destiny of men and of nations ri af
Recognising the wisdom of the broad principle
of absolute religious federation proclaimed in our
fundamental law, and rejoicing in the benign in
fuence which it has exerted upon our social and
political condition, should shrink from clear
duty, did | fail to express my deepest conviction
that we place no secure reliance upon any ap-
parent progress, if it be not sustained by national
integrity, resting upon the great truths affirmed
and illustrated by divine revelation. In the midst
of sorrow for the afflicted and suffering it has
been consoling to see how promptly disaster made
; true neighbors of districts and cities separated
widely from each other, and cheering to watch the
strength of that common bond of brotherhood,
which unites all hearts, ia all parts of this Union,
when danger threatens from abroad, OF calamity
impends over at home. 34ssr s4eH Hfe -H.
Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers
: have undergone no essential change since the ad-
} lournment of the last Congress-. With some OF
them, questions of disturbing character are still
pending, but there good reasons to believe that
, these may all be amicably adjusted.
For some years past, Great Britain has so con-
structed the first article of the convention of the
Goth of April 1918, in re ard to the fisheries on
I the northeastern coast to exclude our citizens
: from some of the fishing grounds, TO which the :,
freely resorted for nearly quarter of century
subsequent to the date of that treaty. The Uni
ted States have never acquesced in this construc
; ton, but have always claimed for their fishermen
= all he rights which they had SO long enjoyed with
out molestaton. With view to remove all diff
entities on the subject, to extend the rights of ou
fishermen beyond the limits fixed by the conven
ton of 1918. and to regulate trade between The
United States and the British North American
: provinces, a negotiation has been opened, with
fair prospect of a favorable result. To protec
! our fishermen in the enjoyment of their rights
# and prevent collision between them and British
d fishermen, Ideemed it expedent to station nava
e force in that quarter dorng the fishing season.
/. Embarrassing questions have also arisen be
: tween the two governments in regard to Contra
/ America. Great Britain has proposed to settle
:, them by an amicable arrangement, and our minis
ter at London is instructed to enter into negotia
. tons on that subject.
commission for adjusting the claims of OH
citizens against Great Britain, and those of Brit
d ish subject against the United States organized
under the convention of the 9th of February last
er is now sitting in London for the transaction Q
business.
It is in many respects desirable that the bonn
darv line between the United States and the Brit
fish provinces in the northwest, as designated i
: the convention of the 18th of June, 1896 an
especially that part, which separates the Territor
- of Washington from the British possessions on th
north should be traced and marked. | therefor
+" present the subject to your notice.
e With France our relations continue on the mos
+" friendly footing The extensive commerce betwee
ct the United States and that country might, it
of conceived, be released from some unnecessary re
strictons to the mutual advanf age of both parties
With view to this object, some progress ha
I'd been made in negotiating treaty of eonmerc
n and navigation.
independently of our valuable trade with Spair
' V we have important political relations with hel
: prowno out Of our neighborhood to the islands
Cuba and Porto Rico. | am happy to announce
y that since the last Congress attempts have bee
: made. by unauthorized expeditions within the {
nited States, against either of those colonies
n Should any movement be manifested within on
10 limits all the means at my command will be VIC
forously exerted to repress it. Several annoyin
: occurrences have taken place at Havana, or in Il
vicinity of the island of Cuba, between our cit
he zens and the Spanish authorities, Considering l
n proximity Of that Island to our es-lying
nd It does, In the track of trade between of OF
on principal cities and the suspicious vigilance vii
IS which foreign intercourse, particularly that wit
ge the United States, is there guarded repettio
! of such occurrences may well be apprehended-
~ AS no diplomatic intercourse is allowed betwee
:. = our consul at Havana and the Captain General
thl Cuba, ready explanations cannot be made,
90 racc afforded vhere injury has resul