Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-02
NJ ESS AGE D..
Ftllon- Citizens Of the Senate
1,I Of AZ IIn,fso IF

of war; our domestic prosperity has been entirely unn
terruped The crops, in portions OF the country! nave
been nearly off Disease has prevailed to greater ex
tent than usual and the sacrifice of human life, through
casualties by and land without parallel But the
pesence has swept by and restored sauby invites the
absent their homes and the return OF business to its or
dnary channels If earth has rewarded the labor of
the husbandman bOuny than 10 preceding seasons
it has left him with abundance for domestic and
large surplus for expectation In the present therefore,
in the past, find ample grounds for thankful
the God of Grace and Providence for his protect
ing and mercful dealings with as apeope.
Although attention has been arrested by painful in
teres in passing events country feels no more than
the slight vibrations of the commissions which have shaken
Europe As Individuals cannot repress sympathy with
human suffering regret for the causes which produce it
As nation reminded that whatever interrupts the
peace checks the prosperity, of any part of Chrsen
DOM tends, or less to involve The condi
ton of is unlike that of individuals They
mutually dependent upon each other. Amicabe relations
between Them and reciprocal good WILL essential for the
promotion of whatever desirable in their moral social
and political condition Hence it has been nv earnest en-
deavor to maintain peace and friendly intercourse with all
nations.
The wise theory of this government so early adopted and
steadily pursued of avoiding all entangng alliances has
hitherto exempted it from many complications in which it
would otherwise have become involved Notwithstanding
this our clearly defined and wesaned course of action
and our geographical position from Europe in
ereasng disposition has been manifested by some of its
governments to SUPERVISE and in certain respects d.
rect our foreign policy In plans for adjusting the balance
of power among themselves they have assumed to take us
into account and would lis to conform our conduct
to their views One or another of the powers of Europe
mas from time to time undertaken to enforce arbitrary
uaOns contrary In many respects established prnci
pies OF international law. That law, the United States
have In their foreign intercourse uniformly respected and
observed, and they recognise any such nerpoa
tons therein the temporary interests of others may
suggests They do admit that the sovereigns of one
continent, of particular community of states can
legisate for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations adjust their poii
Tho rhnr htpG ha,f Co., @Io
mon welfare the independent powers of this continent NAV
well assert the right be exempt from all ANNOYING inter
terence on their part Systematic abstinence from init
mate political cOnnexOn with distant foreign nations does
not conflict with giving the widest range to our foreign
commerce. This distinction, clearly marked in history
seems to have been overlooked disregarded by some
leading foreign states Our refusal be brought Within
and subjected to- their peculiar SYSTEM has, fear created
jealous dstrust of conduct and induced ON their
part occasional acts of disturbing effect upon our foreign
relations Our present attitude and past give as
surances which should not be questioned that pur
poses are not aggressive threatening the safety
welfare OF other nations. Our military establishment in
time of peace is adapted maintain exterior defences
and 10 preserve order among the aboriginal tribes within
the limits OF the Union Our naval force intended only
for the protection of citizens abroad and of our com
merce, dfused it is all the seas of the globe The
government of the United States being essentially pacific
pohcy stands prepared to repel invasion by the vouna
ny service OF patriotic people, and provides
means OF foreign aggression These considerations should
allay all apprehension that disposed to encroach
the nights or endanger the security of other States
Some European powers have regarded with dsauieting
concern, the territorial expansion of the United States
This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate exercise
OF sovereign rights belonging alike all nations and by
many literally exercised Under such circumstances
could hardly have been expected that those among Them
which have within comparatively PERIOD subdued
and absorbed ancient kingdoms planted their standards on
every continent, and possess claim the control of
the islands OF every their appropriate domain
would look with unfriendy sentiments upon the acqus
tons of this country in every instance honOraby obtained
would feel themselves justified in impung our advance
ment to spirit of aggression to passion for political
performance
Our foreign commerce has reached magnitude and ex
tent 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 merchants but all classes
of citizens least Indirectly concerned il is the duty
of the executive and legislative branches of the govern
ment to exercise careful supervision and adopt proper
for its protection The policy which have had
IN view in regard to this interest embraces its future
we'll as Its present security
Long experience has shown that in general when the
principal powers of Europe engaged war; the rights
OF neutral nations endangered This consideration led
In the progress of the of independence the
formation of the celebrated conederacy of armed neutral
y, primary object of which was the doctrine
that free ships make free goods except In the of
cles cOntraband of doctrine which, from the very
commencement OF national being has been cherished
idea of the statesmen of this country At period or
another every maritime power has, by solemn treaty
stipulation recognised that principle; and it might have
been hoped that it would be universally received
and respected rule of international law. But the
refusal of power prevented this and in the great
which ensued that of the French revolution it failed
70 be respected among the belgerent States of Europe
Notwithstanding this the princpei generally admitted to
be sound and sautary much that, the
mencemen of the existing in Europe, Great Britain
and France announced their purpose observe for the
present. not, however recognised international right
but concession for the time being The cO-ope
ration however of these two powerful maritime nations in
the interest of neutral rights appeared afford an
occasion, inviting and ustng, the part of the United
States, renewed effort make the doctrine in question
principle of international law, by of special
tons between the several powers of Europe and America
Accordingly, proposition, embracing only the rule
that free ships make free goods except contraband articles
but also the less contested One that neutral property
other than conraband though board enemys ships
shall be exempt from cOnscaOn has been submitted by
this government TO those of Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter and convention
was concluded between that country and the United States
providing for the observance of the principles announced
not only between themselves but also between them
and all other nations, which shall into like spua
ton None of the other powers have yet taken final
action on the subject. aware, however, that any
objection TO the proposed stpuaons has been made but
the contrary they acknowledged be essential to
the security of neutral and the only apparent
obstacle to their general adoption in the possibility that