The Evansville daily journal., 1854-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fello,0- Citizens of The Senate
and Hon se AZ Renreee,,ft

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 prosper
ity has not been entirely uninterrupted.
The crops. in portions Of the country, have
been nearly cut off. Disease has prevail
ed to a greater extent than usual, and the
sacrifice of human life, through casualties
by sea and land, is without a parallel
But the pestilence has swept by, and re-
stored salubrity invites the absent to their
homes, and the return of business 10 its
ordinary channels. If the earth has re-
warded the labor of the husbandman less
bounlifully than in preceding seasons, 1t
has left him with abundance for domestic
wants, and large surplus for expectation.
In the present, therefore, as in the past. we
find ample grounds for reverent thank
fulness to the God of Grace and Provi-
dence, for His protecting care and merclful
dealings with US as people.
Although our attention has been arrest
ed by painful interest in passing events,
yet our country feels no more than ,he
Slight vibrations of the convulsions which
have shaken Europe. As individuals, we
cannot repress sympathy with human suf-
fering, nor regret for the causes which
produce it. As nation. we are reminded
that whatever interrupts the peace, or
checks the prosperity Of any part OF Chris
endom, tends, more or less, to involve our
own. The condition of states is not unlike
that of individuals. They are 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, II
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 entangling alliances, has hith'
5 erto exempted it from many complications
! in which it would otherwise have become
: involved. Notwithstanding this our clear
ly defined and well sustained course of ac-
ton. and our geographical position so re-
mote from Europe, increasing disposition
has been manifested by some of its gov
ernments to supervise, and in some re-
lspects, 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 constrair
us to conform our conduct to their views
t One or another of the powers of Europe
) has, from time to time, undertaken to en-
1 force arbitrary regulations, contrary in
many respects to established principles o.
international law. That law, the United
States have, in their foreign intercourse
uniformly respected and observed; and
they cannot recognize any such interpolia
o tions therein, as the temporary interest:
os others may suggest. They do not ad
NIT that the sovereigns of one continent
or of particular community of states, car
:. legislate for all others.
hl Leaving the transatlantic nations te
adjust their political system, in the way
might think best for their common welfare
= the independent powers OF the continent
may well assert the right to be exemp
/, from all annoying interference on theil
lpart. Systematic abstinence from intimate
political connexion with distant foreign
;. nations, does not conflict with giving tn.
o widest range to our foreign commerce
This distinction. so clearly marked in his
tory. seems to have been overlooked. o.
s idisregarded by svme leading foreign states
e Our refusal to be brought within, and sub
Ijected to, their peculiar system, has,
fear. created jealous dstrust of our con
n duct. and induced, on their part, occasion
al acts of disturbing effect upon our for
eign relations. Our present attitude ant
!" past course give assurances, which shoult
8, not be questioned, that our purposes ar
e not aggressive, nor threatening to the safe
oity and welfare Of other nations. Our mil
>. itary establishment, in time of peace, j
adapted to maintain exterior defenses, ant
to preserve order among the aborigina
tribes within the limits of the Union.-
Our naval force is intended only for tn
y protection of our citizens abroad, and o
he our commerce, diffused, as it is, over al
r the seas of the globe. The governmen
is of the United States. being essentially pa
v. ci6c in policy. stands prepared to repel in
vasion by the voluntary service of a patri
otic people. and provides no permanen
Z. means of foreign aggression. These con
I, siderations should allay all apprehension
., that we are disposed to encrOach on tn
rights. or endanger the security of othe
states. ..,ft .-r-r
70 Some European powers have regarded
=. with disquieting concern, the territoris
y expansion of the United States. This ra
:" pid growth has resulted from the legitimat
exercise of sovereign rights, belongin
alike to all nations, and by many liberall
60 exercised. Under such circumstances
I'd could hardly have been expected that thos
amonu them which have within q eomnaI