The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-12-12
PRESIDENTS. MESSAGE
Fellow Citizen. Of sAs Senate and House Of
Rsoresen f0fipes. n a. III

i ltUNlUIYlvl i " UlWUUllUUt
Feilow Citizens of The Senate and House Q,
Representatives.:
The past has been an eventful year, and
will hereafter be referred to and marked as
an epoch in tho history of the world. While
we have been happily preserved from the
calamities of war, our domestic prosperity
has not been entirely uninterrupted. The
crops in portion of the country havo been
nearly cut off. Disease has prevailed to a
greater extent than usual, and the sacrifice
of human life through casualties by sea and
land is without parallel. But the pesti-
lence has swept by, and restored salubrity
invites the absent to their homes, and the
return of business to its ordinary channels.
If the earth has rewarded tho labor of the
husbandman less bountifully than in prece-
ding seasons, it 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 rev.
crent thankfulness TO tho God of Grace for
his protecting care and merciful dealing with
us as people, Although our attention has
been arrested by painful passing events. ye'
our country feels no moro than the slight vi
brations of the convulsions which have sha-
ken Europe. As individuals, we cannot re-
press sympathy with human suffering, nor
regret for the cases which produce it.
AS nation, we are reminded that what
over interrupts the peace or checks the pros
perity of christendom, tends, moro or less,
to involve our own. The condition of States
Is not unlike that of individuals. They are
mutually dependent upon each other. Am
icable relations between them and reciprocal
good will are essential to the promotion of
whatever in their natural, social, and politi-
cal condition. Hence, it has boen my earn
est endeavor to maintain peace and friendly
Intercourse with all nations. The wise theory
of our government, so early adopted and
steadily pursued, of avoiding all entangling
alliances has heretofore exempted it from
many complications in which it would have
become involved Notwithstanding this, our
clearly defined and sustained course of ac-
ton, and our geographical position so remote
from European increasing disposition has
been manifested by some of its governments
to supervise, and in certain respects to direct
our foreign policy.
In the plan of adjusting the power among
themselves, they have assumed to take MS TO
account. and would constrain us to conform
our conduct to their views. Ono or another
of the powers of Europe has from time TO
time undertaken TO enforce arbitrary legsla-
tion. contrary in many respects 10 establish
cd principles i'm international law. That
law the United States have in their foreign
intercourse uniformity respected and observ-
cd, and ihoy cannot recognize any such in
Temptations therein rs the temporary inter-
csts of others may suggest. Tley do rot
admit that the sovoreigns Of one continent
or of particular community of States, car
Icpislate for others. Leaving the trans-nt.
iantic nations 10 adjust their political system
ia tho way they think best for their common
welfare, the independent powers ofths con-
,inont may well assert the right to be exempt
from all Gnnoying i"terferenccs. Freedom
from all intimate political connection with
distant foreign nations, does not conflict with
giving the widest rang to our commerce.
This distinction, so clearly marked in his
tory seems to have been overlooked or dis.
regarded by some foreign States. Our re-
fusal to be brought within and subjected to
their systems, has / fear created jealous
distvust of our conduct, and induced OH their
part occasional acts Of disturbing effect upon
our foreign relations. Our present attitude
and past course give assurances which should
not bc questioned that our purposes are not
aggressive nor threatening to the safety and
welfare of other nations. Our militqry es
tablishment in time of peace is adapted TO
maintain defences, and to preserve order a
mong the aboriginal tribes within the limits
of tho Union. Our naval force is extended
only for tho protection Of our citizens abroad,
and of our commerce. dispersed rs it is,over
ell tbne Of hn oil n NJ, ~
of the United States being essentially paci.
fic in its policy, stands prepared to repe! in
vasions by the voluntary services of its pa
means of foreign aggression. These con-
that we arc disposed to encroach on the
rights or endanger the security of other
States.
Some European powers have regarded
with disqneting concern the territorial ex-
panson of tho United States. The rapid
growth has resulted from the legitimate ex-
ercise of sovcrgn rights, belonging alike to
all nations and by many literally exercised.
Under such circumstances, il could hardly
have been expected that those among
them which have within a comparatively ro-
cent time subdued and absorbed ancient
Kingdoms, planted their standard on every
land, and now possess or claim to control the
Islands of every Ocean as their appropriate
domain, would look with unfricndly senii-
ments upon tho acquisitions of this country,
in every instance honorably obtained or would
feel themselves justified in imputing our ad-
vancement 10 a spirit of aggression or to a
passion for political predominunce.
Our foreign commerce has magnitude
and extent nearly equal to that of the first
maratime power of the eastern continent
Over this great interest, in which, not only
our merchants, but all classes of citizens, at
least indirectly are concerned, it is the duty
of tho Executive and Legislative branches
of the Government to exercise careful sup
ervision and adopted proper measures for its
protection. The policy which have had in
view, in regard to this interest, embraces its
future as well as its present security. Long
experience has shown that generally when
tho principal powers of Europe are engaged
in war, the rights Of neutral nations are en-.
dangered.
This consideration led, in the progress of
tho war of our Independence, to tho forma.
tion Of the celebrated confederacy of armed
neutrality, paimary object Of which was to
assert tho doctrine that free ships make free
goods. except in the case Of articles CONTRA
band of war-a doctrine which, from the
commencement Of our national being. has
been an idea oe tho statesmen of this coun-