, 1853-04-30


Of the two great nc ans, and yet this vast in
crease Of people and territory has not only
shown itself compatible with the harmonl-
Gus action Of the states and the federal gov
crnmcnt in their respective constitutional
spheres, but has afforded IN additional guar
antcc Of the strength and integrity of both.
With an rXporitnec thus suggestive and
cheering, the policy of my administration
will not be controlled by any timiI forcbo-
dings of evil from expansion. Indeed, It is
not to lie disguised that our attitude as a
nation, and our position on the globe, rem
der the acquisition of certain possessions,
nO within our jurisdiction, eminently i'm
pornnt for our protection, If not, in the fI-
ture, essential for the preservation of the
rights of commerce and the peace Of the
world. Should they BE- obtained, il will be
through no grnsping spirit, but with view
to obvious national interest and security, and
in n manner entirely consistent with the
slrictest Observance OF national faith. We
have nothing in our history or position to
invite aggression; ; We have everything to
beckon US to the cultivation Of relations of
peace and amiiy with all nations. Purposes,
therefore, at once Just and pacific, will be
Significantly marked in the conduct Of our
foreign affairs. intend that my admins
tration shall leave no blot upon our fair
record, and tru4 may safely give the as
surance that no act within the scope Of my
constitutional collrol will be tolerated, on
the part ofany portion of our citizens, which
cannot challenge ready justification before
the tribunal Of the civilized world. An ad-
ministration would be unworthy Of conf
dence at home or respect abroad, should it
cease 10 be Influenced by the conviction,
that no apparent Advaniagecan be purchased
at 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, replete
with instruction, and furnishing abundant
grounds for hopeful confidence, are COM
prised in a period comparatively brief. But
it. your past is limited, your future is bound
less. It's obligations throng the unexplored
pathway OF advancement, and will be lim-
itless as duration. Hence, q sound and
comprehensive policy should embrace, not
less The distant future, than the urgent pres
ent.
The great objects Of our pursuit, as a
r~~Ple. arc hest 10 be attained bY peace.
and ale entirely consistent with the tram
guilty and interests of the rest Of mankind.
With the neighboring nations upon our con-
lnent we should cultivate kindly and fra
lernal relations. We can desire nothing in
regard to them so much as 10 see them con-
solidale their strength and pursue the paths
Of prosperity and happiness. If, in the
course OF their growth, we should open new
channels of trade, and create additional fa-
cilities for friendly intercourse, the benefits
realized will be equal and mutual. Of the
European systems of national
polity we have heretofore been independ-
ent Flom their wars, their tumlts and
we have been, happily, almost en-
tirely exempt. Whilst these are confined
to the nations which gave them existence,
and within their legitimate jurisdiction, they
canGot affect US, except as they appeal to
our sympathics in the cause Of human free
dom and universal advancement. But the
vast interests Of commerce are common 10
all mankind, and the advantages Of trade
and international intercourse must always
present a noble field for the moral influence
of great people. aa.!
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 US
as q nation, are not alone 10 be regarded,
but those which pertain 10 every citiz,n in
his individual capacity, at home and abroad,
must be sacredly maintained. So long as he
eau discern every star in IFS place upon
that ensign, without wealth to purchase fer
him prelerment, or title to secure for him
place, il will be his privilege, and must be
his acknowledged right, to stand unbashed
even in the presence Of princes, wliha a proud
consciousness that he is himself one of a ma
ton Of sovcrcigns, and that he cannot, in
legitimate pursuit, wander so far from home
that the agent whom he shall leave behind
in the place which now occupy, will not
see that no rude hand Of power or lyrannl =
cal passion is laid upon him with impuPiiy'
lie must rcalize that upon every sea, and on
every soil, where our enterprise may rightly
seek tho protection Of our nag, American
citizenship is an iuviolablo panoply for the
security Of American rights. And, IN ihls
connection, it can hardly be necessary 10
re-afIrm a principle which should now be
regarded as Fundamental The rights, Sc
curily, and repose Of this confederacy re-
ject lhe idea of Interference or colonization
on this side Of the ocean by any foreign
power, beyond present jurisdiction, as utterly
inadmissible.
The opportunities of observation furnished
by my brief experience as a soldier, con-
frmed in my own mind the opinion enter
tanned and acted upon by others, from the
formation Of the government, that the
maintenance of large standing armies in ouI