The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-12-15
PRESIDENT'S iIESSiGE.

Feliow-Cdizens Of tie Senate and House OF
Re9rescataticeS:
The last has been an eyeniful year, and will
he hereafter referred to as marked epoch in
tbpbistory OF the world While we have been
bapDiiv preserved from the caauitieS Of war,
our domestic prosperity has not been entirely
uninterrupted. The crops, IN portions OF the
country, have been nearly cot of. Disease has
preyaled to greater exteat than usual, aud the
sacrifice of human life, through casualties by
sea and land is without parallel. But the
ppstilence has swept by, and restored salubrity
invites the absent to their homes, and the re-
turn of business to its ordinary channels. If
tbe earth has rewarded the labor of the husband
man less beautifully than in the preceding
SEASONS, it has left him with abundance for do
nestle wants, and large surplus for exporta-
ton. In the present, therefore, as in the past,
we find ample grounds for revprenf thankful
ness to The God of Grace and Providence, for
His protecting care and merciiul dealings with
Us as people.
Although our attention has heen arrested by
painful interest in passing ereuts, yet our coun-
try feels no nor+ than the slight vibrations of
the commissions, which Ftare shaken Europe
As individuals, we cannot repress sympathy
which produced it. As nation we are re-
minded, that whatever interrupts the peace, or
checks the prosperity, Of any part OF Christen-
dom, tends, more or less, TO involve our own
The condition of states is not unlike that Of indi-
vduas. They are mutually dependent upon
each other. AmicaiIe relations between them,
and reciprocal good will, are essential for the
promotion Of whatever is desirable in their NOR
al, social, and political condition. Hence, it
has been my earnest "ndeavor to maintain peace
and lrrndlv intercourse with all nations.
The wise theory of this government so early
adopted and steadily pursued, Of avoiding all en-
tangling alliances, has hitherto excepted iii from
MANY complications, in which it would other
wise have become involved. notwithstanding
this our clearly detineda aad we'll sustained course
ofaction and our geographical position 50 remote
from Europe, Increasing disposition has been
manifested bv some OF its governments. 10 super
vise, and, in certain respects, 10 direct, our
foreign policy. In plans for adjusting the bal
ance af power among themselves, they have as
suined to take, us into account, and would con-
strain us to conform our conduct TO their views
Gne or another Of the powers of Europe has,
from time TO time, undertaken 10 enforce arbi-
trary regulations, contrary 10 many respects 20
established principles Of inter national law. That
law the United States have, in their foreign in
trrcourse, uniformly respected and observed,
and they cannot recognize any such intprIoFa-
tions therein, as the temporary interests Of 9th
ers NAV suggest They do not admit that the
s3vereigns of one continent, or of a particular
community Of States, can legisate for all 9TH
erS.
Leaving the Transatlantic nations TO adjust
their political system, IN the way they may
think best for their common welfare, the lnde
pendent powers Of this continent may well
assert the right to be exempt from all annoying
interference on their part. Systematic abStl-
nence from intimate political conneXi0a with |
distant foreign nations, does mol conflict with
giving the widest range to our foreign CON-
nerce. This distinction. so clearly marked IN
history, seems 10 have been overlooked, or dis
regarded, hV some lcading foreign States. Cur
refusal TO BE- brought within, and subjected to,
their peculiar system, has, | fear, created
jealous distrust OF Our conduct, and induced, on
their part, occasional acts of disturbing effect
upon orr foreign relations. Our present atti
tude aud past course give assurances, which |
should not BIZ questioned, that our purposes are
not aggressive nor threatening TO the safety and
welfare of other nations. Our military esta-
bliShment, in time Of peace, is adapted TO main
tain exterior deencrS. and to preserve order "a
mons The aboriginal tribes within the limits OF
the Union. Cur naval force is intended only |
for the protection OF our citzrns abroad, and Of
our commerce, difosed as IT *, over all the |
sands Of the globe The government Of the L. |
States, being essentially pacific IN policy, stand
prepared to repei invasion hv the voluntary ser
,Tr 4. Il
manent means Of foreign aggression. These /
considerations should aliay all aPprehensions,
thai we are disposed TO encroach on the rights |
or endangPr the security of other States
Some European powers have regarded, with |
dsquieting concern, the territorial expansion OF
the United States. This rapid growth has re-
suited from the legitimate exercise of sovereign |
rights, belonging alike TO all nations, and by |
many literally exercised. Under such circum- |
stances, il could hardly have been expected that I
those among them, which have, within com
paratvely recent period, subdued and absorbed |
ancient kingdoms, planted their standards on q
Very continent, and now posSesS, or claim the
control Of, the islands of every ocean as their |
appropriate domain, would look with unfrend-
y sentiments upon the acquisitions of this coun-
try, IN every instance honoraby obtained, or
would ieel themselves justified in imPuting our
advancement to spirit of aggression, or to
passion for political predominance.
ouI foreign commerce has reached magnitude
and extent nearly equal to that Of the first mari
Tine power of the Earth, and exceeding that of
any other. Over this great interest, in which
not only our merchants, bet all classes of cti-
zens, at least indirectly, are concerned, it is the
duty of the executive and legislative branches
oi the government to exercise careful super
Ftsion, and adopt proper measures for lis pro-
IRCtIAn Iha rci,c.. hict, hnN, Ill Ii