Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1854-12-08
I Olune XIV.
Fe7osc citizens ef ne Senate

"
PLY pFe@ervel from the calamities of war, oll
domestic prosperity h as not been entirely uninter
rupted The crops in portions Of the country
have been nearly cut Off Disease has prevailed
10 greater extent than usual, and the sacrifice
Of human life through casualties by Sea and land
Is without parallel. But the pestiIence has
swep: by, and restored salubrity invites the ab
SEN. % their homes, and the retarn Of business
10 itgsor1sinavy channels. If the earth has re-
warded the labor Of the husbanelnlan less toun-
tuily than i'll preceding seasons, il has left him
WIN abundance tor domestic wants, and large
surplus for expectation. In the present there
lore, as IN the past, find ample grounds for
reverent tbankfulness 70 the God of Grace and
Providence for His protecting care and mercilvI
dealings TO us people.
Although our attention has been arrested By
painful interest ia passing events. yet our coun-
Try fees no more than the slight vibrations of the
convulsIons which have shaken Europe As-in-
dpidual, we cannot rcpress sympathy with bu-
man suffering, nor regret for the causes which
produce It. As nation we are reminded that
whatever interrupts the peace or checks the pros
perlty Of any part Of Christendom tends more or
less to involve our own. The condition Of States
ls not unlike that Of Individuals They are mu-
tually dependent upon each other Amicab,o 70
lations between them, and reciprocal good will.
are essential TOR the promotion Of whatever is de-
slrable IA their moral, social and political condi-
ton. Hence, it has been my earnest endeayor
70 maintain peace and friendly intercourse with
all nations
The wise theory of this Government 50 eatl,
aiop'ed and steadily pursued Of avoiding all en-
tangin-s alliances has hitherto exempted il from
many complications, in which it would other
wise have become involved. Notwithstanding
tins our clearly defined and well-sustained course
OF acton, and our geographical position 50 re-
mote from Europe, increasing disposition has
been manifested, by OF It's governments 10
supervise, and, IN certain respects to direct our
foreign policy. In plans for adjusting the bal
ance OF power among themselves, they have as
surned 70 take us into account, and would con
strain us To conform our conduct To their views T
Che or another oi the powers of Europe has T.
from time to tIme undertaken To enforce arbtra- n
ry reyuiatons, contrary In many respects to es- .
tablished principles of International law That l.
law The United States have, in their foreign inter .
course. uniformly respected and observed and m
n'ey cannot recogzize any such interpretations - =,
Ihereh as the temporary interests of others may IL
suggest They do not admit that the sovereigns OF
OF one continent, or Of particular community 81
of states. can legislate for all others. OF
Leaving the transatlantic nations to adjust ma
their political system in the way thoy aas.sisinR su
best - 1sne common xslfaEs ~ tss
right to be exempt from all annoying 'nerieten an
.es on their part Systematic abstinence from IN
innate political connection with distant foreign fo
vaIons does not conflict with giving the widest sl
RANGE to our foreign commerce. Ihis oistihc- DC
ton 90 clearly marked i'll history, seems 10 nave ii,
be.n overlooked or disregarded by some ieauihS az
foreign states Onrefusal to 6e brought wl'h'h; o,
.nd subjected to, their peculiar system, has G,
t,.- ,.rea,ed a Jealous distrust of our conduct O.
ond Induced on their part. occasional actsoi dtS-
+urh;n,, effect upon foreign relations. Our e.
presept attitude and past course give assufahces'
which should not be questioned, that our Porpo- v
ses are not aggressive, nor threatening 10 the sae
~. and welfare of other nations. Our military e
Of
ro,;n,ain exterior defenses. and to preserve Or
d..r amono the aboriginal tribes within the limits
IS tho lTn;on Our naval force Is intended only v
for the protection of our citizens abroad aho VI +
our commerce. difuscd as 1t Is, over al tne seas 5
of the olobe. The Government OF the United
States being essentially pacific in pohcy, stands
prepared to repel invasion by the voluntary SER
Vice OF a patriotic people. and provides no per-
,,anent means of foreign aggression lhese
considerations should allay all apprehension tha'
w.. are disposed to encroach on the rights or en-
danger the security OF other states.
some European powers nave ,'S"iuou: w.
a;sou;atinc concern, the territorial expansion oi
~, rni,eI States This rapid growth has re-
s,,ted from the legitimate exercise OF sovereign
r;rh,s belonging alike to all nations, and by many
lberallv exercised Under such circuins~sncoS'
Il could hardly have been expected that tnose
among them. which have wihn com 'hpa'"'.'e.
l., rt.,ant period subdued aud absorbed ancient
L;,.J,us niantcd their standards on every COS
,;rnnt and now possess claim the control oi
the Islands Of every ocean rs their appropriate
d,m,n would look with unlrendly sentiments
mon the acquisitions of this country, III every
;n.lanes honorably obtained, or woad feel thenl-
s,y.s jnstifed in imputing our advancement 10
sniris IL aggression o. 10 passion Tor poii1icai
pretiomnance
Our foreign commerce has e'chea mas"'
tule ani extent nearly equal to thai oil tue hfsl
r,,r,,,,,, mower of the earth, and exceeding tlaE
~ any other Over this -reat interest, III whcn
mo- o.lr our merchants bat all classes oil ci.izeh'
iiree.ly are concerned il is the duty OF
h.executiyc anl legislative branches 2. the co.
nr,n,ant 10 exercise careful supervisor ana
,Jnnt prop,r measures for its projection !he
r,,icv Witch | have had in view, IN regard y
tbs i,tares.. embraces is futurc well a' pres
+ en-. security.
w,er die powers Of Erope are engaged IN war
'tl,, ri.,',ts Of neutral na1ious are endangered-
~ This Consideration lei, in the progress OF the
war of OR Independence. 70 the formation OF thf
= cal l,brateI confoleracy Of armed neu'raiI,y'
primary object Of which was to assert the doc
trine that free ships make free goods, excep. II
III, case Of articles coatraban3 Of war doctrine
which. from, the very commencement q orr N
tioaal being. has been 4 cherished idea OF th'
st,,esmen Of this country. At one period or an
other, every ulara.ine power has by some sol
ernn tres.y stipulation, recognized ti'st principe