Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

and will be hereafter relerreu 70 W
marked epoch in the history Of the
world. While we havs been happily
preserved from the calamities Of war,
our domestic prosperity has not been
entirely uninterrupted. The crops in
portions Of the country have been
nearly cut of. Disease has prevailed
% . 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 the restored salubrity
invites the absent 10 their homes and
the return Of business to its ordinary
channels. II the earth has rewarded
the husbandman less beautifully than
IN former years, II has left him album
dance for domestic wants and a large
surplus for expectation. In the pres.
ent, then sfore, As in the past, we find
ample grounds for reverent thankful
ness TO the God Of Grace and Prov
idsnce 70. His protecting care and mcr-
oiful dealings with us as a people.
Although our attention has been ar
rested by painful interest in passing
events. vet ourcouniry feels no more
than the slight vibrations OF the con-
vulsions which have shaken Europe
As individuals we cannot repress sym
pathy for human suffering nor regret
for the causes which produce 1t. As
a nation we are reminded that what
ever interrupts the peace or checks
the prosperity Of any part OF Christ
endom tends more or less to involve
our own. The condition Of states is
not unlike that Of individuals. They
are mutually dependendupon each 9TH
err. Amicable relations between them
and reciprocal good will are essential
for the promotion Of whatever is de-
sirable in their moral social and po-
litical condition. Hence. it has been
nv 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 hitherto exempted it from many
complications in which it would. 9TH
erwise, have become involved. Not
withstanding our clear and well defin-
ed course Of action, and our geo.
graphical position so remote from
Europe, increasing disposition has been
manifested by some ofits governments
TO supervise, and in some respects, to
direct, our foreign policy. In plans
for adjusting the balance OF power a.
mong themselves, they have assumed
TO take US into account. and would
constrain us to conform to their views
One or another Of the powers Of Eu'
rope have from time to time underta-
ken TO enforce arbitrary regulations,
contrary to the established principles
of international law. That law the
United States have, in their foreign in
tercourse, uniformly respected and OBJ
served; and they cannot recognize any
such interpretations therein as tho tenn
porary interests oil others may suggest
They do not admit that the sovereign'
of one continent, or Of q particular
community Of states, can legislate fol
others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations
20 adjust their political system in the
way they may.Ihink beat for their com
mon wrlfare. ihs independent powers
Of this continent may well assert thcil
right to be free from all annoying in
reference on their part. Systematic
abstinence from intimate political con
nexion with distant foreign nations
does not conflict with giving the wi
dest range to our foreign commerce.
This distinction, so clearly marked il
history, seems have been overlook
ed or disregarded by some leading
foreign states. Our refusal TO b
brought within, and subjected to thei
peculiar system. has, | fear. created
Jealous distrusl OF our conduct ant
induced on their part occasional act
Of disturbing effect upon our foreigl
relations. Our present attitude AM
past course give assurances, whicl
should be undoubted. that our purpo
ses are not aggressive, nor threatening
to the safety and welfare Of other ma
tons. Our military establishment
In time Of peace. is adapted to main
tain exterior defenses, and TO preserv
order among the aboriginal tribe
within the limits Of the Union. Gu
naval force is intended only for lh
protection Of our citizens abroad, ant
Of our commerce, diffused, as it is o
yer all the seas Of the globe. Tn
government Of the United States be
ing essentially pacific in policy, stand
prepared to repel invasiin by the vol
untary service Of patriotic people
and provides no permanent means {
foreign aggression. These considers
tons should allay all apprehensio
that we are disposed to encroach o
the rights or endangcr The security
other states.
Some European powers have re
garded with disquieting concern III
territorial expansion Of the Unite
States. This rapid growth has result
ed from the legitimate exercise {
sovereign rights belonging alike to a
nations and by many literally exercis
ed. Under such circumstances
could hardly have been expected tina
those among them which have With
comparatively recent period subdu
cd and absorbed ancient Kingdoms
planted their standards on every con
tinent. and now possess or claim th,
control ofthe islands Of every sea a
their appropriate domain, would lool
with unfriendly sentiments upon n,
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