Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-12-13
PREsgDENT,s MESSAGE.
FelIo,e- Citizens 9th Senate,
aud of the House Of Representat.ves'


we have been happily preserved from Tue
calamities of war, our domestic prosperity
has not been entirely uninterrupted. The
crops, in portions Of the country, have been
nearly cut off. Disease 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 restored salu-
brty invites the absent to their homes, aho
the return of business TO its ordinary chan
nels. If the earth has rewarded the labor
of the husbandman less bountifully than IN
preceding seasons, i. has LETT him with "a
bundance for domestic wants, and large
surplus for expectation. In the present,
the refore, as IN the past, we lind ample
grounds for reverent thankiulness to the
God of Grace and Providence, for His pro-
tecting care and merciful dealings with Us
as a people.
Although our attention has been arrested
by painful interest 10 passing events, yet
our country feels no more than the slight
vibrations Of the convulsions, which have
shaken Europe. As individuals, we cannot
repress sympathy with human suffering, nor
regret for the causes which produce 1t. As
a nation, we are reminded, that whatever
interrupts the peace, or checks the prosper
ty, Of any part of Chrstendom, tends, moie
or less, to involve our own. The condition
of States is not unlike that of individuals.
They are mutually dependent upon each
other. Amicable 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 all nations.
The wise theory Of this government, so
early adopted aud steadily pursued, of a.
voiiiug all entangIing alliance, has hitherto
exempted 1t from many complications, in
which it would otherwise have become III
volved. Notwithstanding this our clearly
defined aud well-sustained course OF action,
and our geographical position so remote
from Europe increasing disposition has
been manifested, by some of its govern
ments, to supervise, and in certain res
poets, to direct our foreign policy. In p ans
for adjusting the balance of power among
themselves. they have assumed to take H.
into account, and would constrain Us 10 con-
form our conduct to their views. One or
another of the powers Of Europe has, from
time to time, undertaken 10 enforce arbitra-
ry regulations, contrary in many respects
to established principles of international
law. That law, the United States have, IN
their foreign Intercourse. uniformly respect
ed and observed. aud they cannot recognize
anv such interopatons therein, as the tenn
Dorary interests of others may suggest
rhev do not admit that the sovereigns OF
one continent, or of particular communl-
~ OF States, can legi>lats for all others.
Leaving the trans atlantic nations to adj
| lust their political system, in the way they
may think best for their common welfare,
the independent powers of this continent
| may well assert the right to De exempt from
all ANNOYING interference on their parl.--
systematic abstinence from intimate polti-
cal connexion with distant foreign nations,
does not conflict with giving the widest
range to our foreign commerce. This dis
tlnction, so clearly marked in history, seems
t. have been overlooked or disregarded, ny
some leading foreign States. Our reiuSSl
to be brought within, and subjected TO,
their peculiar system, has, fear, created a
Jealous distru>t of our conduct, and induced,
! on their part, occasional acts OF disturbing
effect upon our foreign relations. Our pres
ent attitude and past course give ASST
RANGES, which should not be questioned,
that our purposes are not aggressive, nor
Threatening TO the safety and welfare of
other natioas. Our military establishment,
in time of peace, is adapted to maintain ex-
terror defences, and to preserve order a.
moag the aboriginal tribes within the limits
of the Union. Our naval force is intended
only for the protection of our citizens a.
broad, and of our commerce, diifuSed, as it
is over all the seas of the globe. The gov
ernment Of the United States, being essen
tally pacific in policy, stands prepared to
repel Invasion by the voluntary service OF
a patriotic people, and provides no perma-
nent means OF foreign aggression. These
considerations should allay all apprehen-
sion, that we are disposed to encroach on
the rights, or endanger the security OF other
States.
Some European powers have regarded,
with disquleting concern, the territorial eX-
pan<ion of the United States. This rapid
growth has resulted from the legitimate ex-
ercise OF sovereign rights. belonging alike
to all nations, and by many liberally exer-
cised Under such circumstances, it could
hardly have been expected that those a.
mong them, which have, within compar-
atively recent period. sub !ued and absorb
ed ancient kingdoms, planted their stand
ards Oh every continent and now possess,
or claim the control OF, the islands OF every
ocean as their appropriate domain, would
look with untriendy sentiments upon the
acquisitions of this country, in every IN
stance honorably obtained, or would feel
themselves justified in imputing our adj
vancemcnt to a spirit of aggression or to
passion Tor political predominancc.
Oar foreign commerce has reached a
magnitude and extent 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 our mer-
chants, but all classes of citizens at least
Indirectly, are concerned, it is the duty OF
the executive and legislative branches of
the government TO exercise careful super
vision and adopt proper measures for its
pr ,tection. The policy which | have bad
in view, in regard to this interest, embraces
its future as well as its present security.
Long experience has shown that, ia GEN
eral when the principal powers of Europe
are engaged in war, the rights OF nentl al
nations are endangered. This cousdera
ton led, in the progress of the war OF our
independence, to the formation Of the cele-