Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.



aud of the House Of Representatives.
THE past has been eventful year, and will
be hereafter referred TO as marked epoch in the
history of the world While we have been hap
PLY preserved from the calamities OF war, our
domestic prosperity has not been entirely unin-
terrupted. The crops, in portions of the coun-
try, have been nearly cut off. Disease has pre-
vailed to a greater extent than usual, and the
sacrifice of human life, through casualties by sea
and land, is without parallel. But the pestl-
leuce has swept by. and restored saubrity invites
the absent to their homes and the return of BUSH
ness TO its ordinary channels. If the earth has
rewarded the labor of the husbandman less boun-
tifuly than in preceding seasons, it has left him
with abundance for domestic wants, and large
surplus for expectation In the present, there
fore, as in the past, we find ample grounds for
reverent thankfulness to the God of Grace and
Providence. for His protecting care and mercilul
dealings with us people.
Although our attention has been arrested by
painful interest in passing events, yet our coun-
try feels than the slight vibrations OF the
commissions which have shaken Europe. As in
dividualS, we cannot TepreSs sympathy with hu-
man suffering, nor regret FOR the causes which
produce it. As nation, we are reminded that
whatever interrupts the peace or checks the pros
peritv of any part of christendom tends more or
less to involve our own. The condition of states
is not unlike that of individuals. They are mu-
tually dependant upon each other. Amicable re-
lations between them and reciprocal good will,
are essential for the promotion of whatever is de-
sirable in their moral, social, and political condi-
ton. 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 and steadily pursued. of avoiding all en-
tangling alliances, has hitherto exempted it from
many complications, in which it would otherwise
have become involved. Notwithstanding our
clearly defined and we'll sustained course of ac-
ton, and our geographical position so remote
from Europe increasing disposition has been
manifested by some of its governments, to super
wise. 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 an
other of the powers of Europe has, from time to
time, undertaken to enforce arbitrary regulations,
contrary in many respects to established princi-
pies of international law. That law, the United
States have in their foreign intercourse, uniform
" respected and observed, and they cannot rec
ognize any such interpretations therein, as the
temporary interests of Others may suggest. They
do not admit that the soyeregns af one conti-
nent, or of particular community of states can
legislate for all Others
Leaving the trans atlantic nations to ADJUST
their political system, Ia the way they may think
best for their common welfare, the independent
powers of this continent may well assert tn
right to be exempt from all annoying interfer-
ence on their part. Systematical abstinence from
intimate political connection with distant foreign
nations, does not conflict with giving the widest
range toour foreign commerce. This distinction
so clearly marked in history, seems to have been
overlooked, or disregarded, by some leading for
eign states. Our refusal TO be brought within,
and subjected to their peculiar system, has, l
fear created jealous distrust of our conduct,an
induced, on their part occasional acts OF disturb
ing effect upon our foreign relations. Our pres
emit attitude and past course give assurances,
which should not be questioned, that our purpos-
es are not aggressive, nor threatening to the
safety and welfare of other nations. Our military
establishment in time of peace, is adapted to
maintain exterior defences, and to preserve order
among the aboriginal tribes within the limits of
the Union. Our naval force is intended only for
the protection of our citizens abroad, and of our
commerce. diffused it is, over all the seas of the
globe. The government of the United States, be-
ing essentially pacific in policy, stands prepared to
repel invasion by the voluntary service of pa
triotic people, and provides no permanent means
of foreign aggression These considerations
should allay all apprehension that We are dis
posed to encroach on the rights, Or endanger the
security of other states.
Some European powers have regarded with
disquieting concern, the territorial expansion of
the United States This rapid growth has result
ed from the legitimate exercise of sovereign
rights, belonging alike to all nations, and by
many literally exercised. Under such circum-
stances it could hardly have been expected that
those among them which have within compare
lively recent period, subdued and absorbed an
continent, and now possess or claim the control
of the islands Ofevery ocean as their appropriate
domain, would look with unfrendly sentiments
upon the acquisitions of this country, in every
instance honorably obtained, or would feel them
selves justified in imputing our advancement to a
spirit of aggression or to passion for political
predominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached a magni-
tude 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 merchants, but all classes of citi-
zens at least indirectly, concerned, it is the
duty of the executive and legislative branches of
the government to exercise a careful supervision,
and adopt 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, in general,
when the principal powers Of Europe are engaged
in war, the rights of neutral nations endan-
gered. This consideration led, in the progress of
the war of independence, to the formation of the
celebrated confederacy of armed neutrality,
primary object of which, was, to assert the doc
trine, that free ships make free goods, except
in the case of articles contraband Of war, doc
trine which, from the very commencementof our
national being, has been cherished idea of the
statesmen of our country. AT one period or an
other, every maritime power has, by solemn treaty
stipulation recognized that principles and it
might have been hoped that it would come to be
universally received ana respected as an INFER
national law. But the refusal of one power pre-
vented this, and in the next great war which en-
sued, that Of the French revolution, it failed to
be respected among the belligerent states of Eu-
rope.
Notwithstanding this, the principle is generally
admitted to be sound and salutary one; so much
SO, that, at the commencement of the existing
war in Europe, Great Britain and France an
nounced their purpose 10 observe it for the pres
emit; not however, as recognized International
right, but as mere concession for the time being.
The cooperation, however, of these two powerful
maritime nations in the interest of neutral rights,
appeared to me to hfford an occasion, inviting and
justifying, the part Of the United States, a
a.principle Of international law, by means of spe-
clal conventions between the several powers of
Europe aud America. Accordingly, proposition,
embracing not only the rule, that free ships make
free goods except contraband articles, but also
the less contested one that neutral property other
than contraband, though On board enemy 5 ships,
shall be exempt from confscation, has been sub
mitted by this government TO those of Europe
and America.
Russia acted promptly In this matter, and
convection was concluded heewecn that country
and the United States, providing for the obser-
vance of the principles announced not only as
between themselves, bnt also between them and
all other nations, which shall enter into like slip
ulations. None of the other powers have as yet
taken final action on the subject. / am not aware,
however, that any objection to the proposed stip-
ulations has been made but, on the contrary,