Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-06
M ESSAGE
Feliop- Citizens Of The Senate


referred marked epoch in the history Of the world
While have been happily preserved from the caisntes
of war; domestic prosperity has not been entirety uhn
terrupted The crops in portions OF the country have
been nearly cut off Disease has prevailed greater
tent than usual and the sacrce Of human ie through
casuaities by and land u without parallel but me
pestence has swept by and restored saiubr invites the
absent 10 their homes and the of business 20 its or
binary channels II the earth has rewarded the labor OF
the hubandnan less bounty than il preceding seasons
il has left him with abundance Cor domestic wants and
large surplus expectation IN the present therefore,
in the past fDd smpe grounds for reyerent thankful
the God Of Grace and Providence for hs protect
iDg and mercful dealings with us as people
Although attention has been arrested BY painful IN
passing yet country feels no more than
the slight vibrations Of the commissions which have shaken
Europe As individuals cannot repress sympathy with
human suffering egret for the causes which produce ~
As nation we reminded that whatever interrupts the
peace checks the prosperity Of any part OF Chrste
DOM tends, less, 10 involve our own The c0nd-
ton of Is unlike that Of individuals They are
mutually dependent upon each other Amcable relations
between Them aud reciprocal good WILL are essential Tor me
promotion Of whatever is desirable in their moral social
and political condition Hence it has been my earnest
deavor maintain peace and friendly intercourse with all
nations.
The wise theory Of this government early adopted and
steadily pursued, OF avoiding all entaDgn2 alliances has
hitherto exempted il from many complications IN which It
would otherwise have become involved Notwithstanding
this our clearly defined and welsustaned course Of action
and geographical position remote from Europe IN
creasing disposition has been manifested by some OF Its
governments supervise, and in certain respects TO d
rect foreign policy In plans for adjusting the balance
of power among themselves they have assumed 10 take us
into account and would constan conform conduct
their views One another of the powers OF Europe
has from time time undertaken enforce arbitrary
Nations contrary in many respects % established prnc
pies of international law That law the United States
have in their foreign intercourse uniformly respected and
observed and they cannot recognise any such nteTpoa-
tons therein the temporary interests OF others may
suggests They do not admit that the soyeregn OF one
a
legislate for all others,
Leaving the transatlantic nations adjust their pot-
cal system in the way they may think best for their con-
welfare the independent powers of this continent may
well assert the right to be exempt from all annoying inter
ference their part Systematic abstinence from nt-
political connection with distant foreign nations does
not conflict with giving the widest range TO our foreign
commerce This distinction so clearly marked in history,
to have been overlooked dsregarded, by some
leading foreign Our refusal 20 be brought Within
and subjected their peculiar system has fear created
jealous dstrust of conduct, and induced, on their
part occasional of disturbing effect upon our foreign
relations Our present attitude and past course give as
suraDces, which should not be questioned that our pur
poses aggressive threatening TO the safety and
welfare of other nations Our military establishment in
time of peace il adapted 20 maintain exterior defences
and to preserve order among the aboriginal tribes within
the limits of the Union Our naval force is intended only
for the protection of citizens abroad and of com
merce dused it u.s. all the of the globe The
government of the United States being essentially pacific
in policy stands prepared repe invasion by the Vounta
v
of foreign aggression These considerations should
asy all apprehension that disposed encroach
the rights or endanger the security of other States
Some European powers have regarded with dsquietiDg
concern, the territorial expansion OF the United States
This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate exercise
Of sovereign rights belonging alike TO all nations and by
many literally exercised Under such circumstances, it
could hardly have been expected that those among them
which have, within comparatively recent period subdued
and absorbed ancient Kingdoms planted their standards on
every continent and now possess OF claim the control o
the islands of every their appropriate domain
would look with frendly sentiments upon the acqus
tons of this country every instance honoraby obtained
would feel themselves justified in mputng advance
ment to spirit of aggression or to passion for political
performance
Our foreign has reached magnitude and ex
nearly equal TO that of the first maritime power OF the
earth and exceeding that of any other Over this great
interest in which not only merchants but all classes
Of citizens least indirectly concerned it is the duty
of the executive and legislative branches OF the govern
TO exercise careful supervision and adopt proper
for its protection The policy which have had
in view in regard to this interest embraces its future
well as its present security.
Long experience has shown that in general when the
principal powers of Europe engaged the rights
of neutral nations endangered. This consideration led
in the progress of the of independence, the
formation Of the celebrated coniederacy of armed neutral
y, primary object of which was, the doctrine
that free ships make free goods except in the of a
cles contaband of doctrine which from the very
Of national being has been cherished
idea of the statesmen Of this country. At period
another every maritime power has by some solemn treaty
stipulation recognised that principles aud it might have
been hoped that it would be universally received
and respected rule OF international law. But the
refusal of power prevented this and in the great
which ensued that of the French revolution il failed
60 be respected among the begerent States of Europe
Notwithstanding this the principle is generally admitted
be sound aud salutary one; much that the com
meDcemeut OF the existing in Europe Great Britain
and France announced their purpose observe for tn,
present. not however, as recognised International right
but concession for the time being The coope
ration, however of these powerful maritime nations
the interest of neutral rights, appeared afford
occasion, inviting and ustbing the part of the Unite,
States renewed effort make the doctrine in question
principle Of international law by Of special
tons between the several powers of Europe and America
Accordingly, proposition embracing not only the rule
that free ships make free goods except contraband articles
but also the less contested one, that neutral property
other than c0ntraband though board enemys ships
shall be exempt from condscation has been submitted b
this government to those Of Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter, and convention
concluded between that country and the United States
providing for the observance of the principles announced
not only between themselves but also between then
and all other nations which shall enter into like stpula
tons. None of the other powers have yet taken na
action the subject | am not aware however that an
objection 20 the proposed stpula0n has been made but
the contrary they acknowledged be essential &
the security of neutral and the only apparen
obstacle "a their general adoption is in the possibility tina
Il may be- encountered by nadmssble conditions
The King Of the Two sicies has expressed mif
lster at Naples his readiness in proposo
relative 10 neutral rights and enter into convention
that subject.
The King Of Prussia entirely approves of the project
treaty 90 the effect submitted 10 him, but propose
an additional article providing for the remuneration Of pr
watering Such article, for obvious reasons,
much desired by nations having naval establishments larg