The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-03-05


wrong or dishonor. II 10 not ysur privilege, a.
4 nation, 10 speak Of q distant psst. The sirik-
ing incidents of your history, replefe with
instruc,ion, and furnishing abundant grounds
for hopeful confidence, are comprised Ia Pc
riod comparatively brief. But il your past il
limited, your future is boundless. Its obliga-
tons throng the UNEMPLOYED pathway of ad.
yancement, and will be limitless as duration.
Hence, sound and comprehensive policy
should embrace, not less the distant future,
than the urgent present.
The great objects of our pursuit, as peo-
pie, are best TO be attained by peace, and are
terests of the rest OF mankind. With the
neightoring nations upon our continent, we
should cultivate kindly and fraternai relations.
We can desire nothing with regard TO them so
much as to see them consolida tie their strength,
and pursue the paths of prosperity and hap
piness. 1t in the course of their growth, we
shoul open new channels of trade, and create
additional facilities for friendly inercl urse, the
benefits realized will be equal and mutual. OF
the complicated European systems of national
polity, we have heretofore been independent.
From their wars, their tumults and anxieties
we have bee.i, happily, almost entirely exempt.
Whilst these are confined to the nations which
gave them existence, and within their legiti.
mate jurisdiction, they cannot affect US, except
as they appeal to our sympathies in the cause
OF human freedom and universal advancement.
But the vast interests of commerce are com.
mon to all mankind, and The advantages of
trade and International intercourse must al
ways present noble field for the moral infiu-
ence OF great people.
With these views firmly and honestly car
ried out, we have right to expect, and shall
under all circumstances require, prompt reci-
bQ vwh halo
nation, are not alone to be regarded, but those
which pertain TO every citizen in his indyd.
ual capacity, at home and abroad, must be sa-
credly maintained. So long as he can discern
every star in its place upon that ensign, with.
out wealth TO purchase for 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 proud consciousness that he is
himself one OF ne ton of soyereigns, 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 tyranical
passion is laid rpon him with impunity. He
must realize, that upon every sea, and on eve
ry soil, where our enterprise may righ,fuliy
seek the protection of our flag, American citis
zenship is an inviolable panoply fer the secur-
ity OF American rights. And in this cennec-
ton, 1t can hardly be necessary to reaffirfn a
principle which should now be regarded as
fundamental. The rights, security and repose
of this Confederacy reject the idea of inierfer-
ence or colonization, on this side of the ocean,,
by any foreign power, beyond present ju.isdic-
ton, as utterly inadmissable.
The opportunities of observation, furnished
by my brief experience as a soldier, confirmed
in my own mind the opinion, entertained and
acted upon by others from the formation of the
Government, that the maintenance of large
standing armies in our country would not on
ly be dangerous but unnecessary. They also
illustrated the importance, | might well say,
the absolute necessity of the military science
and practical skill furnished, in such an
eminent degree, by the institution, which has
made your army what It's, under the discipline
and instruction of officers not more distin-
guished for their solid attainments, gallantry
and devotion to the public service, than for I'm :
obtrusive bearing and high moral tone. The
army, as organized, must be the nucleus,
around which, in every. time Of need, the
strength of your military power, the sure bull
wark of your detence,-a national militia
may be readily formed into a well.discipIined
and efficient organization. And the skill and
self-devoton of the navy assure you that YOU
may take the performance of tine past as
pledge for the future, and may confidently ex.
pect that the flag, which has waved its unfair
nished folds over every sea, will still float in
undininished honor. But these, like many
other subjects, will be appropriately brought,
at q future time, to the attention of the co-or-
dinate branches of the Government, to which
| shall always look with profound respect, and
with trusttul confidence that they will accord
TO me the aid and support, which [ shall so
much need, and which their experience and
wisdom will readily suggest.
In the Inn of ofa;r, 800,
expect devoted integrity in the public service
and an observance OF rigid economy In all de-
partments, so marked as lever justly TO be
questioned. If this reasonable expectation be
not realized, | frankly confess that one of your
leading hopes is doomed TO disappointment,
and that my efforts, in very important part.
cular, must result in humiliating failure
Offices can be properly regarded only in the
light OF aids for the accomplishment of these
objects; and as occupancy can confer no pre-
rogative, nor importunate desire for preferment
any claim, .the public interest imperatively de-
mands that they be considered with sole refe-
renee to the duties to be performed. Good
citizens may well claim the protection of good
laws and the benign influence of good govern
nent; but claim Ton office is what the people
OF republic should never recognize. No rea-
sonable man of any party will expect the ad.
ministratisn to be SO regardless of its RESPONSE
billiy, end OF The obvious elements of success,
as to retain persons, knownsto be under the in.
Huence ofpelitical hostility and partisan pre-.
judee, in positions, which will require, not
only severe labor, but cordial CO operation
Having no implied engagements to rarify, no
rewards to best0w, no resentments to remem.
Der, and no personal wishes to SonsuIt in Sc.
lections for official station, shall fulfil this
difficult and delicate trust, admitting no motive
as worthy either of my charactefAor position,
which does not contemplate an efficient dis.
charge of duty and the bestinterests on my coun.
try. acknowledge my obligations to khe mas.
ses ofmy countrymen, and to them alone, Hieh
er objects than personal aggrandizemeAnt gave
direction and energy TO their exertionA in the
late Canvass land they shall not be Disappointed.
They require at my hands diligence, infeS rty.
and capacity, wherever there are duties Ia he
performed. Without these qualities III 3he;r
public servants, more stringent laws, for tne
prevention or punishment of fraud, negsigeAnce
and pecuIation, will be vain. With them, illA V
will be unnecessary.
Bat these are not the only points, to which
you look for yigilant watchfulness. The dan
gers of a concentration of all power in thes
general government of q confederacy so yas1y5
as ours, are too obvious TO be disregarded. e.
You have right, therefore, to expect YOU
agents, in every department, to regard strictly
the limits imposed upon them by the Constitu-7
ton of the United States. The great scheme