The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FczloU- Citizers Of tt, Senate,
and House Of ReDresentcfjres.

4
| Tho past has been an eventful YEA
and will be hereafter referred to as .
marked epoch in the history of the world
While We have been happily preserved
from the calamity of war, our domestic
prosperity has not been entirely uninter.
rupted. Tho crops, in portions Of the
country. have been nearly cut of; dis.
case has prevailed to greater extent
than usual, and the sacrifice of human
life; through casualties by sea and land
10 without parallel. But the pestilence
has swept by, and restored salubrity in.
vites the absent to their homes and the
return Of business to its ordinary chan.
nels. II the earth has rewarded the labor
OF the hssbandman less bountifully than
in preceding 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 reverent thankfulness to the
God of Grace and Providence for His
protecting care and merciful dealings
with us as a people.
Although our attention has been arrest.
ed by painful interest in passing events,
yet our country feels no more than the
slight vibrations Of the commissions which
have shaken Europe. As individuals, we
cannot repress sympathy with human saf-
ferings, nor regret for the causes which
produce it; as a nation, we are reminded
that whatever interrupts the peace. or
checks the prosperity of any part o.
Christendom, tends, more or less, 10 in
! volve our own. The condition Of States
! is not unlike that Of individuals-they are
mutually dependent upon each other
Amicable relations between them and re
ciProcal good will are essential for the
promotion Of whatever is desirable in their
moral, social and political condition;
hence, it has been my earnest endsavor
to maintain peace and friendly intercourse
| with all nations.
The wise theory Of this government. so
early adopted and steadily pursued. oi
avoiding all entangling alliances, has hith-
erto exempted it from many complications
in which il would otherwise have become
involved. Notwithstanding this, our clear.
| ly defined aud well.sustained course oi
action, and our geographical position SC
remote from Europe, increasing disposi-
ton has been manifested, by some Of its
governments, to supervise. and in certain
| respects to direct our foreign policy. Ia
plans for adjusting the balance OF power
among themselves, they have assumed to
| take us into account, and would constrain
US to conform our conduct TO their views
One or another OF the powers Of Europe
has, from time TO time, undertaken TO en-.
force arbitrary regulations, contrary in
| many respects to established principles ol
International law. That law, the United
States have, in their foreign Intercourse.
uniformly respected and observed. and
they cannot recognize any such inter.
pOlations therein. as the temporary inter-
ests Of others may suggest. They do not
admit that the sovereigns of one continent,
| or-of particular community Of States,
can legislate for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations to
adjust their political system, in the way
they may think best for their common well
fare, the Independent powers OF this con-
tinent may well assert the right to- be ex-
| smpt from oil annoying interference on
their part. Systematic abstinence from in
innate political connection with distant
foreign nations, does not conflict with Civ
ing the widest range to our foreign com-
merce ; this distinction, so clearly marked
in history, seems to have been overlooked
or disregarded by some leading foreign
States. Our refusal to be brought within,
and subjected to, their peculiar system has
| fear, created Jealous distrust OF our
conduct. and induced on their part, ocoa.
sional acts Of distu,b bing effects upon. ouI
foreign relations. Our present attitude
and past course give assurances. which
should not be questioned, that our purpo
ses are not aggressive nor threatening tc
the safety and welfare OF other nations
our military establishment, in time o
peace, is adapted TO maintain exterior de.
fences and to preserve order among the
aboriginal tribes within the limits of the
Union our naval iorce is intended only
for the protection Of our citizens abroad
and of our commerce, diffused as ills
over all the seas Of the globe. The gov
eminent OF the United States, being es
sea.ially pacific in policy, stands prepar
ed 20 repel invasion by the voluntary ser
vice of patriotic people, and provide.
no permanent means Of foreign sggres
sion. These considerations should allay
all apprehensions that we are disposed t
encroaeh on the rights, or endanger th,
security Of other States.
Some European powers have regarded
with disgusting concern the territorial ex
pansion Of the United States. This rapit
growth has resulted from the Legitimate
exercise Of sovereign rights. belonginl
alike to all nations and by many liberally
exercised. Under such circumstances.
could hardly have been expected that ,hos
among them, which have within . com
paratively recent period, subdued and alb
sorbed ancient kingdoms, planted thei
standards on every continent. and NOV
possess or claim the coatrol Of the island
of every ocean as their appropriate do
main, would look with unfriendly sonti
ments upon the acquisitions Of this coun
try, in every instance honorably obtain
ed, or would feel themselves justified il
imputing our advancement TO spirit q
aggression or to passion for politics
predomins snoe. ~.
1 Our foreign commerce has reached
magnitude and extent nearly equal to tbs