The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-05

FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE

ine past mas been An eventul year. and win be here
asr referred to as marked epoch In tho history Of the
world While We have been happily preserved from the
calamities Of war; domestic prosperity has not besn
entirely uninterrupted The crops, in portions Of the
country have been nearly cut off, Disease has prevailed
greater extent than usual and the sacrifice Of hu-
man fe through casualties by land Is without
parallel But the pestilence has swept BY and no
stored saubrty invites the absent to their homes and
the return Of business to its ordinary channels If tho
earth has rewarded the labor of tho ndan ess
bountifuly than in preceding seasons has left him
with an abundance for domestic wants. and large sur
plus for expectation In the present. therefore As in
the past we find ample grounds for reverent thankful
ness TO the God OF grace and providence for his protect
ing care and merciful dealings with us as people
Although our attention has been arrested by painful
interest in passing events, yet country feels no
than the slight vibrations Of the commissions which have
shaken Europe. As individuals, cannot repress sym
pathy with human suffering, regret for the
which produce 1t. As nation, reminded that
whatever Interrupts the peace checks the prosperity
ofany part Of Christendom tends more less to in
volve Tie condition of States s not unlike that
of individuals They mutually dependent upon each
other. Amicable relations between them, and recpro
cal good will ntia for the promotion Of whatever
Is desirable in their moral social political condition
Hence, it has been my earnest endeayor to maintain
The wise theory OF this government carly adopted
and steadily pursued, ofavoidg all entangng alliances
has hitherto exemptedit from rany complications in
which IT would otherwise have become. involved Not
wthstanding this clearly defined and well stained
Of action, and geographical position 80 remote
from Europe increasing disposition has been manifested
by some Of its governments to supervise and in
certain respects to direct foreign policy In plans
for adjusting tho balance of power among themselves
they have assumed to taks into account, and would
consran to conform conduct to their views. One
or another Of the Powers Of Europe has from time
me undertaken to enforce arbitrary regulations
trary in many respects to established principles of in
ternational law. That law the United States have
their foreign intercourse, uniformly respected and OBJ
served, and they cannot recognise any such in
terpoations therein the temporary interests
OF others may suggest. They do not admit
that the soveresns OF continent, Of particular
community Of States, can lcgslatsfor all others.
Leaving the trans atlantic nations to adjust their po
ca system in the way they may think best for their
common welfare, the independent 20 Of this
nent may well assert the right to be exanpt from all
annoying interference their part Systematic absti-
from intimate political connection with distant
foreign nations does not conflict with giving the widest
range to our foreign This distinction,
clearly marked In history, TO have been overlook
ed disregarded by leading foreign States Our
refusal to- be brought within, and subjected to,
their peculiar system, has, ! fear created a,
jealous distrust Of conduct, and induced,
their part occasional acts Of disturbing effect upon
foreign relations. Our present attitude and past
give assurances which should not be questions
that purposes not aggressive threatening to
the safety and welfare OF other nations Our military
establishment in time OF peace adapted TO maintain
extrior destnccs, and to preserve order among the
abcggingi tribes within the limits OF the Union Cur
navel frcs s intended only for The protection OF our
citizens abroad, and of commerce. tiinused as 10 H.
over all the of the globe. The government Of the
United States, being essentially pacific in policy stands
prepared rcpel invasion by the voluntary service of
patriotic people, and provides permanent means of
foreign aggression. These considerations should aliay
all apprehension that disposed to encroach on the
rights, or epdangcr the security Of other States.
Some European Powers have regarded with dsquietng
concern the territorial expansion of the United States
This rapid growth has resulted from the legitimate
else Of sovereign rights, belonging alike to AL nations
and by many literally exercised Under such circun-
stances could hardly have been expected that those
among them which have, within comparatively recent
period subdued and absorbed ancient kingdoms planted
their standards every continent and now possess
claim the control Of the islands Of every ocean a. their
appropriate domain would look with unriendy senti
mcnts upon the acquisitions OF this country in every
justified in imputns advancement to spirit Of ag.
gression, to passion for political predominancc
Our foreign commerce has reached magnitude and
extent nearly equal to that OF tho 6rs maritime power
Of the earth, and exceeding that of any other Over
this great interest in which not only our but
all classes of citizens at least indirectly are
II 10 the duty OF the executive and Legislative branches
OF the to exercise careful supervision
adopt proper measures for its protection The policy
which have had in view, in regard to this interest
braces its future as we'll as its present security.
Long experience has shown that, In general when
the principal powers Of Europe engaged in
war, the rights Of neutral nations endangered
This led in the progress Of the of
Independence to the formation of the celebrated eond
eracy Of armed neutrality, primary object Of which
assert the doctrine that free ships make free goods
except in the of articles conraband of war; doc
rne which, from the commencement Of nation
al being has been cherished idea of the statesmen Of
this country. At period another every maritime
has by solemn treaty stipulation recognized
That principle and might have been hoped that would
of international law. But the refural Of power
prevented this and in the next great which ensusd
that Of The frencn Revolution i failed to ee respected
ing this, the principle is generally admitted to be
sound and falutsry ONE so much 50 that at the com
menctment OF the existing in Europe, Great Brit ain
and France announced their purpose to observe for
the presents not however recognized International
right but mere concession for the time being The
cooperation however, Of these two powerful maritime
nations in the interest of neutral rights appeared
to afford an occasion inviting and justfng the part
trine in question principle Of interna tonal law by
OF special conventions between the
II Europe AMI America. Accordingly, proposition,
embracing not only the rule that free ships make free
goods except contraband articles but also tho less
tested that neutral property other than aband
though ON board encmys ships shall be exempt from
conhscaton, has been submitted by this government to
hose Of Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter and convention
was concluded between that country and tho United
states, providing for the observance of the principles
announced not only between themselves but also
nj her mai firug h.l aute
into Ike stpulacns. None Of the other powers have
as yet taken final action the subject not aware,
however that any objection TO the proposed stpuatons
has been made; but the contrary they acknow-
lodged to be essential to the fecurity Of neutral
merce and the only apparent obstacle TO their general
adoption s in the possibility that it may be encumbered
by inadmissible conditions.
The hing Of the Two Sicies has expressed to Mn
stcr NJ Naples his readncs in proposition
relative to neutral r.tte snd enter into
tion on that subject
Ths King OF Prussia cn.eiy approves Of tho project
1reafX In the Int