Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-12-13
Presidents Message.
Fellop citizens Of the Senate
un1 nffLa Hnmpe nf Ra,

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Fellow citizens Of the Senate ...-
and Of the House Of Representatirea
The interest, with which the people of The
Republic anticipate the assembling of Congress.
and the (ilillment, OIL that ccasiOn, Ofthc du-
ty imposed upon new President, is one ofthe
best evidences Of their capacity to realize the
hopes Of the founders of political system, at
once complex and symmetrical. While the |
different brauches Of the government are, to a
certain extent, independent Of each other, the |
duties Of ALL alike, have direct reference TO the
source of power. Fortunately, under this sys
tcm, 70 man is so high, and none so humble, i u
the sca.e ofpublic station rs to escape from the
scrutiny, or TO be exempt from the responsible
ty, which all official functions imply.
Upon the justice and intelligence of the mas
ses, in government thus organized, is the sole
reliance Of the cenfcderacy, and the only secu
rity for honest and earnest devotion to its inter-
ests, against the uSurpations and encrOachments
OF power OH the one hand, and the assaults of
personal ambition on the Other
The interest, ofwhich have spo zen, is in
separable from an inquirIng, selfgovernins CON
munity, but stimulated, doubtless at the pres
ent, by the unsettled condition OF our relations
with several foreign powers; by the new obliga-
tions resulting from sudden extension of the
field Of enterprise; by the SPIRIT with which its
resourcesfor meeting the demands Of humanity
have been developed.
Although disease, assuming at one time the
characteristics Of n wide spread and devastating
pestience, has left its sad traces upon some por-
tions Of our country, we have still the most a
bundant ceuse for revcrent ankfullness to God
for an accumu alton OF signal mcrcies sh owercd
upon us as q nation. lis well that q conscious.
ness Of rapid advancement and increasing
strength be habitually associated with an abb
ding sense Of dependence upon lilM who holds
in his hands the destiny Of men and Of nations.
Recognising the wisdom of the broad princl-
PIE of absolute religious liberation proclaimed
in our fundamental law, and rejoicing in the
benign influence which it has exertcd upon our
social and political condition, should shrink
from clear duty, did ! fail TO express my deep
est conviction. that we can place no secure re-
lance upon any apparcnt progress, 1t It be not
sustained by national integrity, resting upon
the great truths affirmed and illustrated by d.
vine revelation. In the midst orUur suTrow for
the afflicted and suffering, it has been consolls
tosce how promptly disaster made true neigh
bo.S OF districts and cities separated widely lron
zach other, cheering to watch the strength ol
that common bond of brotherhood which unites
all hearls, in all paris of this Union, when dan
ger threatens from abroad, or calamity lmpends
over us at home.
Onr diplomatic relations with foreign pow
crs have undergone no essential change since
the adjournment of the last C'ngreys. With
some oil them, questions Of disturbing charac-
ter are still pending, but there are good reasons
to believe that these may all be amlcably adjus'
ted
For some years past uteal Dt,,ai" mas 81 co.,
strucd the frst article of the convenlloI
Of the twenty ninth of April, 1878, in regar(
TO Inc fshetles on lhe northwestern .o"s., 10 !.
exciude OUT ct'hens from SOME VI tnI hs','''
yrouhas' 10 "nlch lhey 'lee'y icsp,eu W. h1",
Va quarter oi century supsequen' W w. uus'
olthat treaty. Inc Chiteu o.a'es u" we ne.S
acqulesceu IN tnls coistine'lon' ouI , nav sh, ,
ways eiahlhIo iol ,'ci ' ''.:,', ."o a.,
which 'hey nao 30 iohs cnjoyeu w,,"Ju. Ja;n,;s ~
tsuoh' WIN view ~ to,u a.. " S"vu n"r sSh
on the subject 70 eH.e;u sne ,sn., % y, ou' ,s
ermah 1syo"o lne iln..S nSeu y! ,,, w.. uY"' w,
tion oil lSie, ana 70 iee9ae .'aue pe'~een en'
United states ana lhe btlish worm h'le'aoa ~,
provinces neeo'ia'lo'I has peuM 'pTn. ,.,o ",c
Mir prospect OF la'oIao.e iesun ~ rDh,s
our Hshe'nen u, 'ne ~ W ., MI pr,t;s
sna prevent 'olllsoI dn. - a"S s,at;nn
nshe!meh, aeehlcu II eAp'usn. W s..,,;n
naval iotce !" 'ha' qu"''e' ""'''s '"' -'''
season. -,
Embarrassing q"eshons nave aiso ar'Scn oe
tween the Two government ~ regard " o.m., ..,
America. Great Britain has proposed 10 SEW
them by an amicabe arrangem- Int ana our min
lister at London isinstructed to enter into nesc
tiations on that subject.
A commission for adjusting the claims OF Oh
citizens agains. Great Britain and those OF Br'
ish subjects against the United States, organl1
I'd uuder the convention of the 9Th Of Febr II al
last, is now sitting in London for the transat
ton Of ofbusiness. !, E+
It's ii, many respects desirable that the bour
dsyv line between the United safes and Brtis
PROVINCES in the northwest, ss designated in tn
Convention of the 18th Of June, 1916, and e.
pecislly that mart which separates the Territo
Sf Washington from the British possessions O
the north, should be traced and marked.
therefore present The subject to your notice.
With France, our relations continue on Il
most friendly footing. The extensive CONNER,
between the United States and that countr
might. !, IS conceived. be released from sou
unnecessary restrictions. to the mutual adva1
taee Of b Nh narties. With view to This obie
some nrogress has heen made in negotiating
treaty Of Commerce rec and navigation.
independently Of our valuable trade wi