Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-09-16

. ihIS JOu iohc I bfuoSN VI y ~"
: thy and interest. Citizens by birth or choice Of
a common country, that country has a right 10
concentrate your affections. The name of Ame-
RIGA, which belongs to you in your National capa-
II city, must always exalt the just pride OF patrio-
tisn more than any appellation derived from local
determinations With slight shades of difference
you have the same religion, manners, habits, and
political principles. You have, in common cause,
fought and triumphed together the independence
and liberty you possess, are the work OF jolnt
councils and joint efforts, of common dangers. sut-
terlnsS and successes. 4 # 4
Against the insiduous wiles of foreign influence
4 c%onjure you TO believe. fellow ci1izens) the Ieal>
onsy OF a free people ought to be constantly awake;
since history and experience proves that toreignin-
fuence is one Of the most bdneiul foes of republican
government. But that jealousy, TO be useful. must
be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the
very influence to be avoided, instead of defence
against 1t. Excessive Partially for one foreign has
ton, and excessive dislike for another, cause those
whom they ac,na'e 10 see danger only on one SIDE,
and serve 10 veil and even second the arts Of iri1iI.
ence on the other. Real patriots. who NAV resist
the intyi CUES of the lavorite. are liable 10 become
suspected and odious; while It's tools and dupes
usurp the applause aud confidence of the people, to
surrender their interests.
The great rule of conduct for us, in regard TO
foreign nations is. i'll extending our commercial re-
lations, to have with 'hem as little political connex-
ion as possible. So far as we have already formed
engagements. let them be fulfilled with perfect good
faith. Here let us stop.
Europe has a set Of primary interests, which to
us have none. or 4 very REMOTE relation. Hence
she must be engaged In frequent controversies, the
causes of which are essentially foreign to our con-
Germs. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us
to i~mplcate ourselves. by artificial ties. in the ordi-
nary vicissitudes Of her politics, or the ordinary
combinations and collisions Of her friendships or
enmi les.
Our detached and distant situation invites and en-
ables MS TO pursue Il different course. If we remain
one people. under au efficient government, the pe-
rod is not far distant When we may defy material
INJURY from external annoyance; when we NAV
take snch an attitude as will cause the neutrality |
we may at any time resolve upon, TO be scrupn-
lousy respected; when beligercn, nations. under
the imposslbility of making acquisitions upon us.
will not lightly hazard the giving us provocarion;
when we may choose peace or war, as our interest,
guided by justice, shall counsel.
Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a stu
alton! Why omit orr own TO stand upon foreign
gronnd' Why, by Interviewing our destiny with
that Of any part Of Europe, %entangle our peace and
prosperity in the tolls of European ambition, rivals
ship. interest, humor or caprice. # II
In Offering TO You, my countrymen, these conn.
sells of an old and affectiona,e friend, | dare not
aopS "Sy WI" Ia III s'IOIS dIu ldStiln lH> |
preston | could wish, that they will control the
usual current of the passions, or prevent our nation
IRON running the course which has hitherto marked
the destiny of nations but If | NAV even hatter
myself, that they pay be productive Of some partial
benefit, SON e occasional good; thar they may now
and then reonr 10 moderate Inc fury of party spirit.
TO warn against the nischiefS of foreign intrignes
to gnard against the impo>,nres of pretended pa
tnOllsm; this hope will he a full recompense fer the
SOIICIindp ior ypur yyalE,ro hv ,yb,ch tho, h,,,uI --
dictated.
How far. in the ~dischrge of my official duties. I
nave been guided by the principles which have !
been de'ineated, The public records, and other evil
dences Of my conduct, must witness to you and the
world. To myself the assurance of my own con-
science is. that | have at least believed myself 10
be guided by them.
In relation to the still s%nbsiding war in Europe,
my proclamation of the god Of April, 1893. is The
lndexsio my plan. Sanctioned by your approved
voice. and that OF your representatives in both
Houses OF Congress, The spirit of that measure had .
continually governed me, uninfnenced BY any :
attempts to deter or divert me from it. 1
AIter deliberate examination, with the aid of the =
best lights ] could obtain, | was well satisfied that
our country, nnder all the circumstances of the
case, had a right to take, and was bound in dnIy (
and interest to take a neutral position. Having
taken 1t. determined, az far as should depend upon
me, to maintain it with moderation, perseverance,, I
and fImness.
The consideration which respect the right to
hold this conduct, is not necessary on this occasion
to detail. l will only observe. that, according to
my understanding of the matter, that right. so far I
rom being denied by any belligerent powers, has Fl
been virtually admittcd by all. S
The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be 81
inferred, without any thing more, from the obIiga- e
hon which justice and humanity impose on every p
nation, in case in which j. is free to act, to maintain IA
nviolate the relations of peace and ami,y towards b
)ther nations. e
The inducements of interest, for observing tina, e.
conduct will best be referred to your own refec- Il
ons and experience. With me, a predominant .
Motive has been, to endeavor 10 gain time to our o.
Onntry to settle and mature its yet recent institu- c
ions, ard TO progress, without interruption, to that
iogree of strength and consistency, which is ne Of
essary to give it, humanity speaking, the command ia
# ITS own fortunes. OF
Though in reviewing the incidents of my admi- III
| am unconscious Of intentional error, b.
m, nevertheless. too sensible of my defects. not to ia
link 1t probable that | may have ommitted many OF
rrors. Whatever they may be, Ifervently beseech T,
he Almighty TO avert or mitigate the eviIsto which Ri
hey may tend. l shall also carry with me the he
ope, that my country will never cease to view St
lem with indulgence ; aud that. after forly-fve se
ears of my life dedicated to its service, with an fe
pr1ght zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities dc
Ill be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon ST
g to the mansions Of rest. O,
Relying on its kindness in this and in other tt
and actnated by that fervent love towards it de
'hich is SO natural to a man, who lew it in the W
alive soil of himself and his progenitors for several III
ene-ations' ! anticipate, with pleasing expecta- Fl,
on, that retreat, in which l promise myself to re- do
!Zo, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment. of par be
in the midst of my fellow citizens, the be- XII
ign influence of good laws under a free govern lis
tent, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the sh
appy reward, as l trust, of orr mutual cares, la to
ors and dangers. ar
United States. 18th September, 1896. he
GEORGE WASHINGTON. +,
- thi
ADOLPHE HEBERT, w
11>..- ~ ia,