Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-12-11
PRESIDENTS ANNUAL MESSAGE,


been happily preserved from the calamitcs of
war, our domestic prosperity has not been en-
tirely unipte rrupted The Crops, in portions
of the country, have been nearly cut otf.-Dis-
ease has prevailed to greater exterit than W
sual, and the sacrifice of human life, through
casualties by sea and land, is without paral-
lei. But the pcstilence has swept by, and re-
stored salubrity invites the absent to their
homes, and the return of business to its ortlina-
ny channels. If the earth has rewarded the
labor of the husbandman less beautifully than
in preceding seasons, it has left him with abun-
dance for domestic wants. and large surplus
for expectation. In the present, therefore, as
in the past, we find ample grounds for rcver-
ent thankfulness to the God of Grace and Prov
idehce, for His protecting care and mcrcifu!
dealings with us as people.
Although our attention has been arrested by
painful interest in passing events, yet our coun-
try feels no more than the slight vibrations of
the convulsions, which have shaken Europe
As individuals, We cannot repfess sympathy
with human suffering, nor regret for the causes
which produce it. As nation, we are remin-
ded, that whatever interrupts the peace, or
checks the prosperity. of any part of Christen-
dom, tends, more or less. to involve our own.-
The condition Of states is not unlike that of in
dyia,tals. they are mutually dependent upon
each other. AmicaEle relations between them,
and reciprocal good will, are essential for the
promotion of whatever is desirable, in their
moral, social, and political condition. Hence,
it has been my earnest endeavor to maintain
peace and friendly intercourse with nations.
The wise theory Of this government; 50 early
adopted and steadily pursued, Of avoiding all
entaEgling alliances, has hitherto exempted il
from many complications, in which it would
otherwise have become involved. Notwith-
standing this, our clearly defined and we'll -sus-
tanned course of action, and our geographic al
position so remote from Europe, increasing dis
position has been manifested; by sott,e Of its
governments, TO supervise. and, iii Certain res
pests to direct oir foreign policy. In plans for
adjusting the balance of power among them
selves, they have assumed TO take US into ac-
count, and would constrain US - conform our
conduct to their views. One or another ofthe
powers of Europe has, from time to time, un
dertaken to enforce arbitrary regulations. con-
trary in many respects to established principles
of international law. That law, the United
States have, in their foreign intercourse, uni-
formly respected and observed, and they can
not recognize any such interpretations therein,
as the temporary interests Of others may sug-
gest. They do not admit, that the sovereiyns
OF one continent, or of a particular community
OF states, Can legislate for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations to adjust
81 in, tho
think best for their common welfare, the indie
pendent powers Of the continent may we'll as
sert the right to be exempt from all annoying
interference on their part. Systematic absti-
hence from intimate political connexion with
distant foreign nations, does not conflict with
giving the widest range to our foreign COM
mcrce. This distraction, SO clearly marked in
history, seems to have been overlooked, or dis
regarded, by some leading foreign States. Our
refusal to be brought within. and subjected to,
their peculiar system, has, ! fear, created a
jealous distrust of our conduct, and induced, on
their part, occasional acts Of disturbing effect,
upon our foreign relations. Our present atti-
tude and past course give assurances, which
should not be questioned, that our purposes are
not aggressive, nor threatening to the safety
and welfare Of other nations Our military cs-
in time of peace,is adapted to MAIN
tain exterior defences, and to preserve order
among the aboriginal tribes within the limits
# the Union. Our naval force is Intended only
ior the protection of our citizens abroad, and Of
,ur commerce, diffused, as it is all over the
cas of the globe. The government of the Uni
ed States, being essentially pacific in policy,
stands prepared to repel invasion by the volun-
AIRY service Of a patriotic people and provides
no permanent means Of foreign aggression
These considerations should allay all apprehen-
lion, that we are disposed to encroach on the
lights, or cndanger the security of other States.
Some European powers have regarded, with
ncern, the territorial expansion
# the United States. This rapid growth has
resulted from the legitimate exercise Of SOW
reign rights, belonging alike to all nations, and
" many literally exercised. Under such cir
it could hardly have been expec-
ed that those among them. which have, with
in comparatively recent period, subdued and
described ancien; Kingdoms, planted their
standards on every continent, and now possess,
Dr. claim the control Of, the islands of every o.
;ean as their appropriate domain, would look
with unfriendly sentiments upon the acquisi-
ions ofthis country, in every instance honora-
,ly obtained, or would feel themselves justified
in mputng cur advancement to a spirit Of ag-
erosion or to passion for political predomi-
nance.
Our foreign commerce has reached a mag
,itude and extent nearly equal to that Of the
irst maratime power Of the earth, and exceed
ng that of amy other. Over this great inter-
st, in which not only our merchants, but all
:lasscs of citizens. at least indirectly arc con-
;erned, it is the duty Of the executive and leg
slative branches Of the government to excrsisc
careful supervision, and adopt proper meas
Tres for its protection. The policy which
rave had in view, in regard to this interest,
embraces its future as we'll as the present Sc
.urity.
Long experience has shown that, in general,
When the principle powers of Europe are en-
ragged in war, the rights of neutral nations are
endangered. This consideration led, in the
of the war of our independence, to the
ormation of the celebrated confederacy of ARM
d neutrality, a primary object of which was.
o assert the doctrine, that free ships make free
foods. except in the case of articles contraband
# war; doctrine which, from the very COM