Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-12-06
PRESlDENT'S MESSAGE.

an eVentiul year, and will be hereafter re.
ierred 10 as a marked epoch in the history
of the world. While we have been hnppi.
ly preserved from the calamities of war,
our domestic prosperity has not been en-.
tirely uninterrupted The crops, in por.
tons Of the country, have been nearly cut
oil. Disease has prevailed TO a greater
extent than usual, and the sacrifice of hu.
man life, through casualties by sea and
land, is without parallel. But the pes,.
lence has swept by and restored salubrity
invites the absent TO their homes, and the
return of business to its ordinary channels.
Ii the earth has rewarded the labor of the
husbandman less bouniifully than in pre-.
cedlng seasons, it has LEFT him with abun.
dance for domestic wants, and large sur.
plus for eXporiaton. In the present, there.
fore, as IN the past, we find ample grounds
for revercnt thankluness TO the God Of
Grace and Providence, for His protecting
care and mercitul 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 convusions, which
have shaken Europe. As individuals, we
cannot repreSs sympathy with human sur
ierlng, nor regret for the causes which
produce il. As nation, we are remind.
ed, that whatever interrupts the peace, or
checks the prosperity Of any part Chris.
tendon, tends, more or less, 10 involve our
own. The condition Of the states is not
unlike that Of individuals. They are mu.
tually dependent on each other. Amica.
bic relations between them, and reciprocal
good will, are essential for the promotion
OF whnever is desirable in their moral, so.
cial, and political condition. Hence, it
has been my earnest endeavor 10 maintain
peace and friendly intercourse with all
nltions.
The wise theory Of this government, so
early adopted and steadily pursued. Of
avoiding all enlangling alliances, has hith.
erto exempted j; from many complications,
in which it would otherwise have become
involved. Notwithstanding this, our clear.
" defined and well sustained course ac-
ton, and our geographical position so re-
mote from Europe, increasing disposition
has been manifested, by some Of It's gov.
ernmenls, to supervise. and in certain res.
poets, 10 direct our foreign policy. ln
plans for adjusting the balance Of power
among themselves, they have assumed 10
take US into account, and would conStrain
us 10 conform our conduct to their views
One oranolher of the powers Of Europe
has from time 10 time, undertaken 10 en-.
force arbitrary regulations, contrary in
many respects 10 established principles of.
international law. That law, the United
States have, in their foreign intercourse,
uniformly respected and observed, and
they cannot recognize any such interpo.
aions therein, as the temporary interests
OF others may suggest. They do not ad.
nit, that the sovereigns Of one continent,
or particular community Of states, can
legslaie for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations TO
adjust their political system, in the way
they may think best for their common
welfare, the independent powers Of this
continent may well assert the right 10 be
exempt from all annoying interference on
their part. Systematic abstinence from
intimate political connexion with distant
foreign nations does not conflict with Civ 4
ing the widest range to our foreign COM
mercc. This distinction, so clear Y marked
- L.o,.r,- H., 1,,, n,,g,~l,,k cd
or disregardcd, by some leading foreign
states. Our refusal TO be brought within,
and subjected TO, their peculiar system,
has, fear, created a Jealous dsrust -four
conduct, and induced, on their part, occa-
sonal acts Of disturbing effect upon our
foreign relations.
Our present attitude and past course
give assurances, which should not be ques-
toned that our purposes are not aggress'
i've, nor threatening 10 the safely and vel
fare Of olher nations. Our military es-
tablishment in time Of peace, is adapted to
maintain exterior delences, and TO preserve
order among the aboriginal tribes within
the limits Of the Union. Our naval loFce
is intended only for the protection oil our
citizens abroad, and Of our commerce dill
fused, as it is, over all the seas oil the
globe. The government of the L. States
being essentially pacific in policy, stands
preparedto repel invasion by the voluntary
service of patriotic people, and provides
no permanent means Of foreign aggression.
These considerations should allay all ap-
prehension that we are disposed 10 en-
croach on the rights, or endanger the se'
curity Of other states.
Some European powers have regarded,
with disouieting concern, the territorial
evanston of the United States. This rap
id growth las resulted from the legitimate
exercise of sovereign rights, belonging
alike TO all nations, and by many literally
exercised. Under such circumstances II