The true Democrat., 1854-12-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
of the Senate and
 


 The past has been an eventful year, and will be hereafter referred to as marked epoch in the 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 portions of the country, have been nearly cut off Disease has prevailed to a greater extent than usual, and the sacrifice of human life, through the casualties by sea and land, is without paral- lel But the pestlence has swept by, and re- stored salubrity invites the absent to their homes, and the return of business to its ordi- nary channels. If the earth has rewarded the labor of the husbandman less bountifuly than in preceding seasons, 1t has left him with abundance for domestic wants, and large sur plus for eXportation. 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 mercful dealings with us as people.
 Although our attention has been arrested by painful interest in passing eventS yet our country feels no more than the slight vibrations of the convulsons which have shaken Eu- rope. As individuals we cannot repress sym pathy with human suffering, 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 of Chris tendom tends, more or less, to involve our own. The condition of States is not unlike that of individuals. They 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 main- tain peace and friendly intercourse With all na- tions.
 The wise theory of this government, so ear lv adopted and steadily pursued, of avoiding all entanging alliances, has hitherto exempted it from many complications, in which 1t would otherwise have become involved. Notwith- standing this our clearly defined and we'll sus- tained course of action, and our geographical position so remote from Europe, increasing disposition has been manifested. by some of its governments, to supervise, and, III certain re- spects to direct our foreign policy. In 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 enforce arbitrary regula- tions, contrary in many respects to established principles of international law. That course, uniformly respected and observed, and they cannot recognize any such lnterpolations there in as the temporary interests of others may suggest. They do not even admit that the so- vereigns of one continent, or of a particular community of States, can legislate for all oth- erS
 Leaving the trans atlantic nations to adjust their political system, in the way they may think best for their common welfare, the inde- pendent powers of this continent may we'll assert the right to be exempted from all an- moving interference on their part. Systema- tic abstinence from intimate political connec- ton with distant foreign nations, does not con- fict with giving the widest range to our for eign commerce. This distinction, so clearly marked in history, seems to have been over looked, or disregarded, by some leading foreign states. Our refusal to be brought within and subjected to their peculiar system, has, 1 fear, created jealous distrust of our conduct, and induced, on their part occasional acts of dis turbing effect upon our foreign relations. Our present attitude and past course give assuran- ces, which should not be questioned, that our purposes 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 as it is, over all the seas of the globe. The government of the United States being essen- tially pacific in policy, stands, prepared to re- pei 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 re- suited from the legitimate exercise of sove- reign rights belonging alike to all nations,