Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-12-14
PRESIJRNT'B MHSSIGR.
.S.llo,wi ,.i citizen. d d. s, Senate ate


.s-t i tsdnc and House Ot Representatives 500
Thepast has been an eventual year. and will
behereafter referred TO as a marked epoch in
the history ofthe word. While we have been
happily preserved from the calamilles of war,
our domestic prosperity has not been entirely
nninteTupted--the crops. In portions OF The
county, have been yearly cut of Disease
has prevailed to agreater extent than usual. and
the sacrifice of human life, through casualties
by sea aad Land is without q parallel. But the
pestience has swept by. and restored salubri-
" invites the absent 10 their hemes. and the
return Of business to its ordinary channels. II
the earth has rewarded the labor Of the hus-
bandman less bountifully than in preceding sea.
sons. ii has left hi n with abundance for domes>
tic wants aud large surplus for expectation.
In the present, therefore, as ia the past, we find
ample grounds for renewed thankfuness to the
God of Grace and Providence, for His protect
ing care and mercifu dealings with US as peo-
pie. sH iesEs g.. 5.s. ,8.-9.5e.s ..s 50 us.e f.
Althoughour attention has been arrested by
painful interest in passing events. yet our coun-
try feels no more than the slight vibrations Of
the commissions. which have shaken Europe, -
As individuals. We cannot repress sympathy
with human suffering, nor regret for the causes
which produce it. As nation, we are remind
ed, that whatever interrupts the peace, or checks
the prosperity of any part of ChrSteudom. tends
more or less, TO involve our own, The condi,
ton of States is not unlike that Of individuals
They are mutually dependent upon each other.
Amicabe relations between them, and recipro-
cal good will, are essential for the promotion Of
whatever is desirable In their moral social. and
political condition. Hence. it has been my ear,
nest endsavor to maintain peace and friendly in
tercourse with all nations.
The wise theory Of this Government. 80 ear
II adopted and steadily pursued, Of avoiding all
cntangling alliances. has hitherto exempted it
from many complications, in which it would
otherwise have become involved. NoGwith-
standing this our clearly defined and we'll sus-
tained course Of action, and our geographical
position SO remote from Europe, increasing dis.
position has been manifested, by some Of it's
Governments, to supervise, and in certain re-.
spects, to direct. our foreign policy. In plans
for adjusting the balance ofpower among them
selves they have assumed to take US into &C,
count, d would constrain US to conform our con-
duct to their views. One or another Of the
powers Of Europe has, from time to time, un.
dertaken TO enforce Arbitrary regulations con
LfaFyln many respects to established principles
of International law. This law. the United
States have, in their foreign intercourse, uni.
formly respected and observed, and they can
not recognise any sucb interpolaLions therein.
as the temporary interests OF others may sug.
gest.s They do not admit. that the sovereigus
ofone continent, or of a particular community
ofstates, can legislate for all others. q
hLeaviag the trans Atlantic nations TO adjust
their political system, Ia the way they may
Ghink best for their common welfare, the inde.
peudeqt powers Of this continent may well as.
sert'the right to be exempt from all annoying
iWterferelce on their part. Systematic absti
nenee from Intimate political connection with
distant foreign nations. does not conflict with
giving the widest range to our foreign COM
merCe. This distinction, so clearly marked in
history, ssemsto have been overlooked, or dis.
regarded. By some leading foreign states Our
refusal 70 be brought within, and subjected to.
Their peculiar system, has, I fear, created .
ajealous distruct Of our conduct; and induced
on our part, occasional acts o, disturbing effec
upea our foreign relations. Our present a,ti
tudeland past course give sssurancesg which
should not be Questioned, that our purpose,
are not aggressive, nor threatening TO the safe
ty and welfare OF other nations. Our military
establishment, in time of peace, is adapted q
maintain exterior defences. and to preserse or.
der among the aboriginal tribes within the linn
its of the Union. Our naval force is intended
only for the protection Of our citizens abroad
and Of our commerce, dtfussd, as tits, oyer al
the seas Of the globe. The Government of che