Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1854-12-09
G9s 9aiIg 6asettt.
ALFRED SANDERS, Eairen

Nuvenpsrs, saturday, Dac. o. isss'
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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fello,e c;f;xens sf tke 6en0te
an 81 tie House Of Representatives.:
The mast has been an evcntiul year. and
will hereafter be referred to as msrae /
epoch IN the history Of the world. While
we have been happily preserved from the
calamities Of war, our domestic prosperity
IA not been entirely uninterrupted. The
crops, IN portions of the country. have been
acarly cut off,, Disease has prevaiied % .
greater extent than usual. and the sacrifice
cfhuman life, through casualties BY sea and
land. 10 without = parallel But the pesti-
lence has swept by. and restored saiubrity
invites the absent TO their homes, and the re-
turn Of business TO its ordinary channels.
III the earth has rewarded the labor OF the
husbandman less bountifully than in prcce-
ding seasons, it 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 rcver-
ent thankfulness 10 the God Of Grace and
Providence, for His protecting care and Mer-
ciiul 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 commissions, which have
shaken Europe. As individuals, y cannot
repress sympathy with human suffering, MOI
regret for the causes which produce it. Al
a nation, we are reminded. that whatever in
terrupts the peace, or checks the prosperity
OF any part OF Chrisiendom, tends. more OF
less, to involve our own. The conditions Of
States il 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
it has been my earnest endeayor to main
tain peace and friendly intercourse with all
nations.
The wise theory Of this government, SO
early adopted and steadily pursued. of avoid
ing all entangling alliances, has hitherto ex-
empted it from many complications. in which
it would otherwise have become involved
notwithstanding this our clearly defined and
well sustained course of action, and our geo.
graphical position so remote from Europe,
increasing disposition has been manifested
by some Of its governments, to supervise,
and, in certain respects. to direct, our for
eign policy. In plans for adjusting the bal
ance 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 regulations, contrary in
many respects to 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 interpretations
therein, as the temporary interests Of others
may suggest. They do not admit, that the
sovereigns of one continent, or of particu-
lar community ofStates, can legislate for all
others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations to adj
Just their political system in the way they
may think best for their common welfare,
the independent powers of this continent
may well assert the RICH. to be exempt from
all annoying interference on their part
Systematic abstinence from intimate pollt-
ical connection with distant nations, does
not conflict with giving the Y Ill lest range to
our foreign commerce. This distinction,
so clearly marked in history, seems to have
been overlooked or disregarded, by some
leading foreign states. Our refusal to be
brought within and subjected to their pecu-
liar system, has, fear, created jealous dis
trust ofour conduct and induced on their part,
occasional acts Of disturbing effect upon our
foreign relations. Our present attitude and
past course give assurances, which should
not be questioned, that our purposes arcl
not aggressive, nor threatening to the safe
II and welfare Of other nations. Our mil
tary establishments in time Of peace, isl
adapted TO maintain exterior offences, and
10 preserve order among the aboriginal
tribes within the limits Of the Union. Our
naval force 10 intended only for the protec-
don of our citizens abroad, and Of our com
nerce, diffused as it is, over all the seas Of
me globe. The government of the United
States, being essentially pacific in policy,
,tands prepared to repel invasion by the
voluntary service of a patriotic people, and
provides no permanent means Of foreign ag-
ZrsssioH. These considerations should al
~ sil apprehension, that we are disposed
o encrosch on the rights or endanger the
Iecurity Of other States.
Some European powers have regarded
with disquieted concern, the territorial ex-
pansion Of the United States. This rapid
growth has resulted from the legitimate ex-
ercise of sovereign rights, belonging alike
10 all nations, and by many literally exer-
,ised. Under such circumstances, it could
hardly have been expected that those among
hem, which have, within comparatively I
ecent period, subdued and absorbed an
lent Kingdoms, planted their standards on
very continent, and now possess, or claim
he control Of, the islands of every ocean as
heir appropriate domain, would look with