The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-12-05
i,AE DAHL Y DISPATCH.
panaIDnNT's MESSAGE.
rs,,s~ Cisissas Of sAe Senate
- 81 tke House Of Representatives.

Pa6SkO6N4S
r.a,s,. cisiseas Of Ae Senate
20 If 1e House Of Representatives.
The past has been an eyentfal year, ana wiii
he hereafter referred TO as 3 marked ePocn ~
the history of the world. While We nave
heeu happily preserved from the caiamlues
az var. our domestic prosperity mas NOT peen
entirely uninterrupted. Inc crops. ~ po..
fiona Of the country, have been nestiy cur
oG. Disease has preyaiied 20 gIesI.e. "a.
font than usual, and the sacrifice OF human
,;fs thronoh casualties by sea and land, is
-s;shonf : psrsllel. But the pestilence has
cent nv. and restored salubrity invites the
shsant 10 their homes, and the return OF bust
,,ass IN its ordinary channels. Ii the earth
has rewarded the labor of the husbandman
less bountifully than in preceding sea-
sons, il has left him with abundance for do
nestle wants, and q large surplus for expor-
tation. In the present, therefore as in the
past, we find ample grounds for reverent
dence, for His protecting care and mercIfui
dealings with US as o people.
Although our attention has been arrested
by painful interest In passing events, yet our
country feels no more than the slight vi6ra-
tions Of the commissions, which have shaken
Europe. As individuals, we cannot repress
sympathy with human suffering, nor regret
for the causes which produceit. AS nation,
we are reminded, that whatever interrupts
the peace, or checks the prosperity, of any
part of Christendom, tends, more or less, TO
involve our own. The condition Of States Is
not unlike that of individuals. They are mu-
tualiY dependent upon each other. Amlcabie
relations between them, and reciprocal GOOD
will. are essential for the promotion OF what
ever is desirable in their moral, social and po-
litical condition. Hence, it has been my ear
nest endeayor to maintain peace and friendly
intercourse with all nations.
The wise theory of this government so ear
" adopted and steadily pursued, of avoiding
all entangling alliances, has hitherto exempt
ed It from many complications, in which it
would otherwise have become involved. Not.
vithstanding this our clearly defined and well
sustained course of action, and our ge0gra-
phical position 80 remote from Europe, IN
creasing disposition has been manifested, by
some of its governments, to supervise, and,
in certain respects, to direct our foreign poll
cy. In plans for adjusting the balance of
power among themselves, they have assumed
to take us into account, and would cOnstrain
us to conform our conduct to their views.
One or another of the powers of Europe has,
from time to time, undertaken to enforce ar
to established principles of international law
That law, the United States have, in their for.
eign intercourse uniformly respected and
observed, and they cannOtrecogniIe any such
interpretations therein, as the temporary int.
rests Of others may suggest They do moi
admit that the sovereigns of one continent,
or of q particular community of states, can
legislate for all others.
Leaving the trans atlantic nation. to adjust
their political system, in the way hey may
think best for their common welfare, the in
ont nf " vel
assert the right to be exempt from al annoy
ing interference on their part. Systematic
abstinence from intimate political cCnnexion
with distant foreign nations, does not conflict
with giving the widest range to oul foreign
commerce. This distinction, so clearly marke ed
in history, seems to have been overlooked,
0rdisregarded, by some leading foreign states.
Our refusal to be brought within, and subjec-
ted to, their peculiar system, has, l fear, crea-
ted q jealous distrust of our conduc ,and in
duced, on their part, occasional acta of dis
turbing effect upon our foreign relations.
Our present attitude and past course give as
surances, which should not be questioned,
that our purposes are not aggressive, nor
threatening to the safety and welfare Of other
nations. Our military establishment in time
Of peace, is adapted to maintain ext srior de-
fences, and to preserve order among he abO-
riginal tribes within the limits of tbs Union.
Our naval force is intended only for the pro-
lection of our citizens abroad anc of our
commerce, diffused, as it is, over al he seas
of the globe. The government of IL United
States. being essentially pacific policy,
stands prepared to repel invasion b the vol
untary service Of a patriotic people land pro-
videS no permanent means of Qkign ag-
gression. These considerations SD bid allay
all apprehension, that we are dispA I'd to en-
croach on the rights, or endanger thu security
OF other states.
nome European powers have regarded
with disquieting concern, the territorial en-
pansion of the United States This rapid
growth has resulted from the legiti i ate ex-
ercise of sovereign rights, belonging Nike to
all nations, and by many literally exercised
Under such circumstances it could hardly
have been expected that those anon them
which have, within a comparatiyelvfr ecent
period, subdued and absorbed ancieG king
doms, planted their standards ON ev( " con
tnent, and now possess, or claim thj control
Of the islands of every ocean as tn appro-
pirate domain, would look with q kriendly
sentiments upon the acquisitions of y is cou6-
try, ~ every instance honerably obj med, or
would feel themselves justified in lJlputine
our advancement to a, spirit of g'ession or
to passion for political predOminace.
Our foreign commerce has reach d mag
nitude and extent nearly equal to thu of the
frat maritime power of the earth, and ex
ceeding that Of any other. Over TITS great
Interest, fp which not only our merchants, but
all classes OF citizens at least indir city, are
concerned, it is the duty of the exec tive and
ieg1slative branches of the Cover xaent to
exescise careful supervision, and al pt pro-
per measures for its protection. Tbs poIicv
whichsl have had in view, in regar, to this
interest, embraces its future as wa as ito
present security.