Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-05

tofore been independent. From their wars. their
tumults and anxieties, we lIaye been, happily,
almost entirely exempt. Whilst these are con
fined to the nations which gave them existence.
and within their legitimate jurisdiction, they
cannot affect us, except as they appeal to our
sympathles In the cause OF human freedom and
universal Advancement. Bat the vast interests of
commerce are common TO all mankind, and the
advantages of trade and international intercourse
must always present noble field for the moral
influence of great people.
With these views firmly and honestly car
ried out, we have O right to expect, aud shall
under all circumstances require, prompt recipro-
city. The rights, which belong to US as m.
ton, not alone to be regarded, but those which
pertain to every citizen in his individual capaci.
ty, at home and abroad, must be sacredy main
tanned. So long as he can discern every star in
Its place upon that ensign, without wealth to pur.
chase tor him preferment, or title to secure for
him place, it will be his privilege, and must be
his acknowledged right, to stand unabashed even
In the presence of princes, with a proud con-
seriousness that he is himself one of nation OF
sovereigns, and that he cannot, in legitimate
pursuit, wanter so far from home, that the agent,
whom he shall leave behind in the place which
l now occupy, will not see that no rude hand OF
power or tyranncal passion is laid upon him with
lmpunlty. lie must realize. that upon every sea,
and on every soil, where our enterprise NAV
rightfully seek the protection of orr flag Ameri.
can citizenship is an inviolabe panoply for the
security OF American rights. And, in this con-
nexlon, 1t can hardly be necessary to reaffirm a
principle which should now be regarded as fun
damental. The rights, security, and repose OF
this Contederacy reject the dea of Interference
or colonization, on this side of the ocean, by
any foreign power, beyond present jurisdiction,
utterly inadmissible
The opportunities OF observation furnished bv
my briet experience soldier, confirmed in
my own mind the opinion, entertained and acted
upon by others from the formation of the gov
eminent, that the maintenance of large standing
armies 10 our country would be not only dan
gerous, but unnecessary They also illustrated the
Importance, might well say the absolute necessi-
y' OF the military science and practical skill fur
nlshed IN such an eminent degree, by the nstiu-
tion' which has made your army what it is, under
the discipline and instruction of officers not more
distinguished for their solid attainments eaantry,
aud devotion to the public service, than for unob-
truslye bearing and high moral tone. The army
as organized, must be the nucleus around which
In every time OF need the strength of your mill
thry power, the sure bulwark of your defence, -
national IN ilitia,-may be readily formed into a
well disciplined aud efficient organizations And
the skill and self-deyotion of the navy assure
you that you may take the performance of the
past as pledge tor the future, and may confident
ly expect that the flag which has waved its un-
furnished folds over every sea- will still float in
undlmlnished honor. But these, like many other
subjects, will be appropriately brought, at a flu.
tufe time, to the attention of the ordinate
branches OF the government, to which | shall
always look with profound respect aud with trust
tul confidence that they will accord to me the
aid and support which shall much need,
and which their experience and wisdom will
readily suggest.
In the administration of domestic affairs, you
expect devoted integrity in the public service,
and an observance of rigid economy In all do.
partments, so marked never justly to be ques-
toned. Ii this reasonable expectation be not re-
allied, frankly confess that of your leading
hopes is doomed to disappointment, and that my
efforts. in very important particular, must result
in humliating failure. Offices can be prop
ery regarded only in the light of aids for the &C
complishment Of these Objects and as occupancy
can confer no prerogative, nor importunate desire
Tor preterment any claim, the public interest i'm :
peratively demands that they be considered with
sole reference to the duties to be Performed
Good citizens may we'll claim the protection of
good laws and the benign influence of good GOV
eminent; but claim for office is what the people
OF republic should never recognize. No rea-
sonabe man of any party will expect the ad-
ministration to be SO regardless of its responsible
lty, and OF the obvious elements OF success. as to
retain persons, known to be under the influence
of political hostility and partsans prejudice,
in positions which will require, not only severe
labor, but cordial co operation. Having no i'm
piled engagements to ratfy, no rewards to bestow,
no resentments to remember, and no personal
wishes to consult in selections for official station,
shall fulfil this difficult and delicate trust ad-
hitting no motive as worthy either of my char
acter position, which does not contemplate an
efficient discharge of duty and the best interests
of my country. | acknowledge my obligations to
the masses my countlymen. and to them alone.
higher objects than personal aggrandizement
gave direction and energy to their exertions in
the late canvass, and they shall not be dsappon-
ted. They require at my hands diligence, integ-
rity, and capacity. wherever there are duties to
be performed. Without these qualities in their
public servants, more stringent laws, for the pre-
vention or punishment of fraud negligence and
peculation, will be in vaip. With them they
will be unnecessary.
But these are not the only points, to which
you look tor vgiant watchfulness The dan
gers Of a concentration of all power in tho gen
era government of confederacy so vast us ours,
are too obvious to be disregarded. You have
right, therefore, to expect your agents, in every
department, TO regard strictly the limits imposed
upon them by the Constitution OF the United
States. The great scheme of our constitutional
liberty rests upon proper distribution of power
between the State and Federal authorities and
experience has shown, tina; the harmony and
happiness ofour people must depend upon just
discrimination between the separate rights and
responsibilities of the States. and your common
rights and obligations under the general govern
lnent. And here, in my opinion are the CON
siderations which should form the true basis of
future concord in regard to the questions which
have most seriously disturbed public tranquility.
Ii the Federal government will conine itself to
tho exercise of powers clearly granted by the
Constitution, ii can hardly happen that its action
upon any question should endanger the institu-
lions of the States, or Interfere with their right to
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