New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

! " OF the world. While we have been hsppily pre-
served from the easmtes Of war, our domestic pros
perty has not been entirely uninterrupted. The crops
IN portions Of the country have been nearly cut OF
Disease has prevailed 90 greater extent thsn usud
and the sacrifice Of human life through casualties by
sea and land, is without parallel Bat the pesti-
epce has swep, BY and restored sslubr,y invites tbs
absent 70 their homes and the return Of bussess to
Us ordinary channels II ihe earth has rewarded the
labor of Ire husbandmsn less bouniituy than in pre-
cednc seasons Il has left Inn with abundance Tor do
Inestic wants and large surplus for exportssou. In
the present. therefore, a. IN the pss' we noa ample
grounds Tor rcverent thankfulness 10 the God OF
Grace and Providence, for His protecting care and
mercful dealings with US IS people.
Although our sttention has been arrested oy pam
full interest in passing events yet country feels no
more than the slight vibrations Of the convulsons
which have shaker Europe; A. indiyiduas we eSn.
rot repress sympathy with human suffering nor regret
fer the causes which produce IT, As nation we are
reminded that whatever interrupts the peace or checks
the prosperity OF any part Of tend nore
less, 10 involve our own. The condition OF Slstes
is not unlike that Of individuals. They are mutually
dependent upon each ether. Amicabie relations be-
tween them and reciprocal good VIII are essenuslfcr
the promotion Of whs;ever IS desirable IN ther moral
social and political condition. Hence 4 has been my
earnest endeavOr to maintain peace and friendly in
course with sll nations.
The vie theory Of this Government, 50 early
adopted and steadily pursued, of avoiding all entsn-
Cling alliances, has hitherto exempted IL from many
COMPLICATIONS in which IL would Otherwise have be-
come involved. Notwithstanding this, clearly de-
fined and well sustained course Of action snd our ge
ograYhical position so remote from Europe increasing
disposition has been manifested by some of its Gov
enents to supervise, and, in certain respects. TO d
rect, our foreign policy. In plans for adjusting the
balance of power among themselves, they have as
sun ed to take us into account ana would constrain
Us 10 conform our conduct 10 their views. One
ether Of the powers OF Europe has, from time to me
undertake. 10 enfoice arbitrary regulations, contrary
in many respects to established principles OF inerps-
tionsl law. Thet law the United States have, IN their
foreign intercourse uniformly respected and Observed
and they cannot recognize any such interpretations
therein, the temporary interests OF Others may sug-
gest. They DO not admit that the soyereyns Of one
continent, or of particular community of States,
can legislate for all others.
Leaving the rans-aantie nations TO adj asst their po
tca ysem in the way they May think best for their
common welfare the ndeper deut powers of this
tDent may we'll ASSERT the right TO be exempt from all
annoying interference their part. Systematic alb
snence from intimate Political connection with dis
tant foreign nations does not conflict with giving the
widest range TO our foreign commerce. THIS dlstinc-
ton so clearly marked in history 20 have been
overlooked or disregarded, by some Leading foreign
States. Our refusal to be brought within, and sub
jected to, their peculiar system, has fear, created
Jealous dstrust of conduct and induced their
part occasional acts of disturbing effect upon for
egn relations Our present attitude AID past course
give assurances which should not BIO questioned, that
our purposes not aggressive nor threatening to
the safety ard welfare OF other nations. Our military
establishment in time of peace, is adapted 10 main
tain exterior defensea and to preserve order among
aboriginal
Our naval force intended only for the protection OF
our citizens abroad, and Of commerce, difused,
il is, all the seas Of the globe. The Govern
ment Of the United States, being essentially pacific In
policy stands prepared TO repel invasion by the vol
unt6ry service Of patriotic people, aud provides
no permanent means of foreign aggression. These
considerations should aay all apprehension, that we
are disposed TO encrOach on the rights, or endanger
the security, OF other States.
Some European powers have regarded, with dis
quieting concern, the territorial expansion of the
United States. This rapid growth has resulted from
the legitimate exercise of sovereign rights belonging
alike 10 all nations, aud by many literally exercised
Under sueh circumstances, Il could hardly have been
expected that those among them which have, within
cOmparatiyely recent period subdued and absorbed
ancient kingdoms, planted their standards on every
continent and possess claim the control Of the
islands Of every ocean as their appropriate domain
would look with unfiendly sentiments upon the 40
auitions Of this country in every instance hon)raby
obtained or would feel themselves justified in imput
ing our advancement to a spirit of aggression or to
passion Tor political performance.
Our foreign commerce has reached magnitude
and extent nearly equsl TO that Of the first maritime
power Of the earth and exceeding that of any other
Over this great interest in which not only our mer-
chants bur all classes Of citizens, Mt least Indirectly
are concerned II is the duty OF the executive and
legislative branches Of the Government to exercise
careful supervision and adopt proper measures for
its protection. The policy which have had In view,
in reg ard 10 this interest embraces It's future rs well
as its present secsrtty.
Long experience has shown that in general, when
the principal powers of Europe are engaged In war
the rights of neutral nations are endangered. This
consideration led in the progress OF the war OF our
independence to the formation Of the celebrated con-
federscy Of armed neutrality, primary object OF
which was, 10 assert the doctrine that free ships
make free goods except in the case Of articles cOnre
band Of war-a doctrine which from the very COM
menoemeDt Of our national being has been
cherished idea Of the Statesmen Of this country.
At one period or another every maritime power
has by some solemn treaty stipulation, recognized
that principle; and il might have been hoped that II
wOulG come to be universally received and respected
rule Of international law. But the refusal Of one
power prevented this and in the next great
which'ensued that Of the French Revolution il failed
TO be respected among the belligerent States Of Eu
rope. Notwithstanding this, the principle Is gener.
ally admitted to be a sound and salutary one so
much So that, at the commencement OF the existing
war in Europe, Great Britain and France announced
their purpose to observe 1t for the present; not how
ever, as a recognized international right, but as .
mere concession for the time being. The cO6pera-
ton, however, Of these two powerful maritime ma
tons in the interest of neutral rights appeared 10 mo
70 afford an occasion inviting and ustifyng, on the
part Of the United States, renewed effort TO make
The doctrine in question principle OF International
law, by means Of special conventions between the
several powers Of Europe and America. Accord
ingly, proposition, embracing not only the rule
h at free ships make free goods, except cOntraband
articles but also the lees contested one that neutral
property, other than contraband though on board
enemy ships shall be exempt from cOn6scatiOn has
been submitted by this Government to those Of Eu-
Russia acted promptly in this matter, and conven-
ton concluded between thst country and the
United States providing for the Observance Of the
principles announced, not only as between them
selves but also between them and ali other nations
which shall enter into like stipulatOns. None Of the
other powers have e. yet taken final action on the
Subject an not aware, however, that any objection
TO the proposed stpulations has been made; but on
the contrary, they are sckIowledgei to be eseniih
to the security Of neutral commerce; and the only
apparent Obstacle TO their general adoption IN ths
~ hat ma he