The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

TsllOaC- citizens Of the Sehcte aa:d the H0uS
Of Representatives.. :
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 heen happily preserved
from the caiamites of the war, our do
mestic prosperity has not been entirely
uninterrupted. The crops, in portions of
the country, have been nearly cat Off
Disease has prevailed to q greater extent
than usual, and the sacrifice of human
life, through causualties by sea and land,
is without parallel. But the pestilencc
Las swept by, and restored salubrity in
sitcs the absent to their homes, and the
return of business TO its ordinary channels.
IF the earth has rewarded the labor Of the
hu,bandman less bountifully than in pre-
ceding seasons, it has left him with a5un-
dauce for domestic wants, and a large
surplus for expectation. In the present,
therefore, as IN the past, we find ample
grounds for revoreut thankfulness to the
God Of Grace and Providence, for His
protecting care and merciful dealings with
u as a people.
Although our attention has been ar
rested by painful interest in passing events,
vet our country feels no more than tho
slight vibrations Of the convlsions, which
have shaken Europe. As individuals, We
cannot repress sympathy with human suf-
fering, nor regret for thescauses which
produce it. As nation, we are remind
ed, that whatever Interrupts the peace, or
checks the prosperity, Of any part Of
Christendom, tends, more or less, to in
volve our own. The condition of States
is not unlike that of individuals. They
a:o 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 oDdeaVor
20 maiutain peace and friendly inter
course gith all nations.
The wise theory of this government, so
early adopted and steadily pursued, Of "a
voiding all entangling alliance, has hith-
erto exempted it from many complications,
in which it would otherwise have become
involved. Notwithstanding this our clear
~ defined and well-sustained course Of
action, and our geographical position so
remote from Europe, increasing disposi-
tton has been manifested, by some Of its
governments, to supervise, and, in certain
respects, 10 direct, our foreign policy. In
plans Cor adjusting the balance Of power
among themselves, they have assumed to
take Us into account, aud would constrain
u TO conform our conduct to their views.
One or another Of the powers Of Europe
ha-, from time to time, undertaken 20 en-
force 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 recognise any such interpola-
tions therein, as the temporary interests
Of others may suggest. They do not ad-
nit that the soverigns of one continent,or
of a particular community Of State, can
legislate 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 to be
exempt from all annoying Interference on
their part. Systematic abstinence from
intimate political connection with distant
foreign nations, does not conflict with Civ
ing the widest range to our foreign COM
uerce. This distinction, 50 clearly mark
ed in history, seems to have been over
looked, or disregarded: by some leading
foreign States. On reifa.ssaa!! to be brought
within, and subjected to, their peculoi
system, has, fear, created jealous dis
trust of our 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 are not aggressive, nor threat
ening to the safety and welfare Of other
nations. Our military establishment, IN
time Of pence, is adopted to maintain ex-
terror defences, and to preserve order a.
mong 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, diff
fused, &C it is, over all the seas of the
globe. The government of the United
States, being essentially pacific in policy,
stands prepared to repel invasion by the
voluntary service of patIiotic people,
and provides no permanent means. OF
foreign aggression. These considerations
should ullsy all apprehension, that we are
disposed t. epcroach cn the rights, or eH'