Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-03-16

lcuHHSSlfS SnQ ClCCliuAs NV h4uttltSttR-
ton viii not be controlled by any timid
forebodings of evil from expansion.
Indeed. it is not to be disguised thas
our attitude as nation. and our position
on the plobe. render the acquisition of
certain possessions not within our luris-
diction, eminently important for our pro-
lection, if not in the future, essential Tor
the preservation of the rights of fcommeree.
and the peace Of the world. Should they
be obtained, Il viii be through no grasp
ing spirit. but with view to obvious ma
tional interest and security. and IN q man
ner entirely consistent with the strieiess
observance of national faith.
We have nothing IN our position or
history to invite aggression; we have
Everything TO beekon us to the cultivation
of relations of peace and amity with all
nations. Purposes, therefore. ut once just
and pacific viii be Significantly marked in
the conduct of our foreign affairs.
j intend that my administration shall
leave no foul blot upon our fair record.
and / trust may safely give the assurance
no no act within DE Legitimate n scope OF my
constitutional control, viii be tolerated on
the part Of any portion OF onr citizens,
which cannot challenge ready justihca-
lion before the tribunal OF the civilized
world. An administration would be un-
worthy of confidence AZ home or respect
abroad, should il cease TO be influenced
by the conviction that no apparent adyan-
tRge can 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 IN
cidents of your history, replete with IN
struetion. aud furnishing abundant grounds
for hopeful confidence, are comprised IN a
period comparatively short. But II your
past is limited, your future is boundless.
Its obligations through the unexplored
pathway of advancement will be limitless
as duration. Hence a sound and COM
prehensiye 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,
and are entirely consistent with the tram
guilty and interests of the rest of man
kind. With the neighboring nations upon
our continent we should cultivate kindly
and fraternal relations.
We can desire nothing in regard TO
them so much as 70 see them consolidate
their strength, and pursue the paths of
prosperity and happiness. Ii. IN tho
course OF their growth, we should open
new channels of trade and create addi-
tionRl facilities for friendly intercourse,
the benefits realized will be equal and mu-
tual.
OF the complicated European systems
of national policy, we have heretofore
been independent. From their wars,
their tumults and anxieties we have been
happily almost entirely exempt Whilst
these are confined TO The nations which
gave them existence, and within thcir le-
! gitimate Jurisdiction, they cannot eliectus
except as they appeal 70 our sympatbies in
the cause of human freedom and universal
advancement. But the vast interest oil
commerce are common 10 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. and hone silly
carried out. we have right 10 expect,
and shall, under all circumstances require
prompt reciprocity. The rights which
belong TO US as nation. arc not alOnUto be
regarded, but those which pertain 10 eve
Try citizen in his indiyiduRl capacity. nc
home and abroad must be saercdly main
ltained.
Il 30 lOuK ho nc GttfA aAcgttA WY nhat tt
It's place upon that ensign. without wealth
to purchase for him preferment, or title
to secure for him place, Il will be his pri-
Yilege, and must be his acknowledged
fright TO stand unabashed, even in the pre-
sence of princes, with proud conscious
ness that he is himself one of a nation OF
sovereigns, and that he cannot 10 legiti-
mate pursuit wander so far from home.
that the agent whom he shall leave be-
hind in the place which l now occupy,
will see that no rude hand Of power or
tyranical passion is laid upon him with
impunity. He must rchlize that upon
every sea, and upon every soil where our
enterprise may rightfully seek tho pro-
lection OF our Dag, American citizenship
is an inviolable panoply for the security
lof American rights. And ia this con-
neclion il can hardly be necessary 70 re-
affirm principle which should now be
regarded as fundamental. The rights,
security and rcpose OF this conIedcFacy
reject the idea ofinierference or colonial
lion ON this side Of the ocean BY any TO-
reign power beyond present Jurisdiction.
as utterly inadmissible.
Tic opportunities Of observation fur
nished by my brief experience as sol
der, confirmed in my own mind the opin-
ion entertained and acted upon by Others;
from the formation Of the government, that
the maintenance Of large standing armies
in our country would be mot only dagger
Gus but unnecessary. They also illustrate
the importance-I might well say the ab-
solute neeessity-of the military science
and practical skill which has made your
army what j. is. under the discipline aud
instruction OF officers not more distinguish
ed for their solid attainfnenLs, gaI.antrY