Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FcILow Citi9ens Of the 'ScHute
a7.d NcRsc of prcsentatiUe8:

FcIlow Citi1ens ofthe Scnute
asd Ncusc of Representatives.:
The past has been an eventful year,
and will be hereafter referred 10 as a
marked epoch in the history Of the world.
While we have been happily preserved
from the calamities of war, our domestic
prosperity has not been entirely uninter-
rupied. The crops, in portions of the
country. have been neary u, off. Dis
ease has prevailed to greater extent than
usual, and the sacrifice Of human life.
through casualties BY sea and land. is
without parallel. But the pestilence
has swept By. and restores saiubrity in
vltes the absent to their homes, and the
return Of business to its ordinary chan
nels. If the earth has rewarded the la
Dor Of the husbandman less bountiully
than in preceding seasons. 1t has left
him with abundance for domestic wants,
and large surplus for expectation. In
the present, therefore, as in the past, We
find ample grounds for reverent thankful
ness 10 the God OF Grace and Providence
for His protecting care and mercliul dc -
ings with us as people.
Although our attention has been ar
rested by painful interest i'll passing e.
vents, yet our country feels no more than
the slight vibrations of the convulsions
which have shaken Europe. As iniivid-
uals we cannot repress sympathy with
human suffering, or regret for the causes
which produce it. As nation, we are
re minded that whatever interrupts the
peace or checks the prosperity OF any
part OF ChrisiendCn, tends more or less,
to involve our own. The coEdition oi
the States is not unlike that of indiyid-
uals. They are mutually dependent up
on each other. Amicable relations be-
tween them and ecirrocal good will. are
essential for the promotion of whatev vsSi
desirable in their moral, social, and 'Po'
litical condition. Hence it has been my
earnest endravor to maintnin peace and
friendly intercourse with all nations.
The wise theory of this government,
so early adopted and steadily pursued, ol
avoiding ail entangiing alliances, has
hitherto exempted it from many compli-
cations in which it would otherwise have
become involved. Notwithstanding this
our clearly defined and well sustained
course OF action, end our geograp phical po-
sition SO remote from Europe, increasing
disposition has been manifest led by some
of its governments 10 supervise. and IN
some respects TO direct our foreign policy.
Ia plans for adjusting the balance Ol
power among themselves, they have as
sumcd 10 take as into account. and would
cOns,ra IN US TO conform our conduct to
their views. One or another of the
powers of Europe has, from time to time,
undertaken TO enforce arbitrary regula-
tions. contrary in many respects TO es-
tabilshed principles of international law.
That law the United States have. in their
foreign intercourse, uniformly respected
and observed; and they cannot recognize
any such interpretations therein as the
temporary interests OF others may suggest.
They DO not admit that the sovereigns OF
one continent, or of a particular commu-
nifty of States, can legislate for ali others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations to
adjust their political system, in the way
they may .hinb best for their common
welfare, the independent powers Of this
continent, may well assert the right to be
exempt from all annoying interference or
! their part. Systematic abstinence from
intimate political connections with dis
.ant foreign nations, does not conflic,
] b., fnr
/ elgn commerce. THIS distinction, sc
clearly ma ked in history, seems TO have
been overlooked. or disregarted, by some
leading foreign States. Our refusal tC
/ be brought within and subjected TO their
peculiar sTstem, has | fear, created q
jealous distrust of our conduct and IN
duced. on their part, occasional acts O
disturbing effect upon our foreign rela
tiOn. Our present attitude and pas
course give assurances, which should no
be questioned. that our purposes are no
aggressive or threatening 10 the saetl
and welfare of other nations Cur mil
tary establishment of peace, is adapted Il
maintain exterior defences. and to pre-
serve order among the aboriginal tribes
within the limits Of the Union. Gu
naval :orce is intended only for the pro
lection OF our citizens abroad, and OF ou
commerce, difused, rs it is, over all tn,
seas of the globe. The Government o
the United States. being essentially pa
cific in policy, stands prepared to repe
invasion by the volutary service of
patriotic people. and provides no perma
nent means of foreign aggression. Thes
conside ra;ions should aIlay all apprekcn
sions that we are disposed to encroacl
on the rights or endanger the security 0
other States.
Some European powers have regarde
with disquieting concern, the ;erriioIia
expansion OF tho United States. Thi
ra pid growth has resulted from the !egit
innate exercise of sovereign rights, belong
log alike TO all nations. and by man
literally exercised. Under such circum
stances it could hardly have been xpect
ed that those among them which have
within comparatively recent perioC
subdued aud absorbed ancient kingdoms
planted their standards Oh every cont
nent. and now possess. or claim the cor
troll OF the islands of every ocean as the
, approuYiate domain, would look wit