The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-03-17
guaranty Of the strength and integrity 0

bojings Of evil from expansion: indeed,
is not TO be disguised that our attitude as
nation and our position on the globe rende
the acquisition nf certain possessions nc
within our jurisdiction emlnentls lmportar
for our protection, if not in the future e'
seniial TO the preservation oil the rights
commerce and the peace CT the work
Should they be obtained, it will be lhrong
no grasping spirit, but with view to obv
ous national interest and security, and in
manner entirely consistent with the strict
est observance Of national faith. We Fay'
nothing 10 our history or position to invite
Iaggressions; we have ever, thing to impress
upon US the cultivation Of relations Of peace
aud amiiy. intend my administrator
shall leave no bio, upon our fair nsne. a NJ
trust may safely give the assurance ths
no act, wlthin the legitimate scope OF ms
constitutional control. will be tolerated OF
the part of anv portion OF our citizens
which cannot challenge ready Justification
before the tribunal Of the civilized world
An administration would be unworthy 0
confidence at home or respect abroad
should il cease to be influenced by the con
yic,ion that DO apparent advantage can be
purchased at price SO dear as that OF ma
iional dishonor.
1t IL not our privilege, as nation, tt
speak Of distant past; the striking Incl
dents ofour history, replete with instruction
aud furnishing abundant grounds for hope
ful confidence. are comprised in perlot
comparatively brief. Bat, if our past il
limited, our future is boundess The Oh
lip.tiang that ,hrong the unexpiorcd path
w,y Of advancement nil be limitless a
duration. Hence, sound aud comprehcn
-ve philosophy should embrace no less tn
,istant future than the urgent present.
The great objects Of our pursuit, as !
aenpIe. are best 10 be attained by peace
ana are entirely consistent with tranquil
~ and the interests Of the rest OF ina nkInd
With ueighborng nations on Our contlnen
ae would cultivate kind and friendly rela
tions. We can desire nothing in regart
to them so much ss to see them consolidate
their strength and pursue the path OF pros
perty and happiness. If, in the course
Of their growth we should open new chan
uels of trade and create additional facilities
Ar friendly intercourse, the benefits real
ized will be equal and mutual. OF ih'
complicated European systems of nailona
policy we have heretofore been indepepd
ent: from their wars, their troubles anc
anxie,ies, we have been. happily, almos
entirely exempt. While these are con
fined TO the nations which give them e1
istence. and within their separate Jnrl-dlc
tions. they cannot affect us, except as they
appeal to our ssmpathies IN the cause
human freedom and universal advance
mep,. But the vast interest of Commere
are common to all mankind; and the ad
vantages of trade and International inter
course must always present noble fiel
| for the moral influence of great people
With these views firmly aud earuestI'
carried out. we have a right TO excect, ani
shall, under all circumstance, reqnr'
prompt reciprocity.
The rights which belong to us as na
llion are not alone to be regarded, but those
which pertain to every citizen n his ind
vidun| capacity, at home and abroad
should he sscredly maintained, so long al
be can discern every star in its place upor
,ha, ensign Without wealth to purchase
him preferment or title to secure tor min
place. i, will be his privilege, and his rlgh
must be acknowledged, to stand unabashed
even in the presence of pfinces, with
proud consciousness that he is himself on
Of nation Of sovereigns, cGd that he can
not, in his legitimate pursuits De wander
er so far from home that The agent whom
he shall leave behind, in the place which
now occupy, will not see that no rud'
hand Of power or of tyrannlcal oppression
lis laid upon him with impunity. He mus
realize that, upon every sea and upoI
every soil where our enterprise may res
pec,yely seek the protection OF our flag
American citizenship is an inviolabe pan
opoIv for the security of American rights
In this connection it can hardly be neces
sary to re-atirm the principle which shoult
now be regarded as fundamental. The
rights. security and repose Of this conied
eracy reject The idea OF interference or col
niza,ion on this side o! the ocean by any
foreign power beyond it, present Jnrlsdic
Itioa. as utterly inadmissibie. The oppor
ltunItes of observation furnished by hrie
experience as a soldier confirmed in my
own mind the opinion, entertained an'
acted upon by others from the iormation o
the Guverument, that the maintenance O
large standing armies in our country woult
aog only dangerous but Unnecessary
They also illustrate the Importance,
mipht we'll say the absolute necessity, o
the military, civil and practical skill! fur
nished in such an eminent degree by th'
institution which made your army what j
is. under the discipline and instruction 0
officers not more distinguished for thei
solid altainmenls, galan,ry, and devotion
TO the public service, than for their unob
trusiye bearing and high moral tone. Th'
army, as organized, must be nucleus
around which. in every time of need, th'
strength of your military power, the lro,
lbulwark of your defence-a national mil
1,ia--msv be readily formed into wei
disciplined and efficient organization; an
the skill and .eIfdeyotion Of tho navy as
snre YOU that YOU may take the perform
,nce Of the past asa pledge for the future
and nav confidently expect that tho fla
which has waved its uutarnished folds owe