Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-12-14
Presidents Message.


epoch in the history Of the world. While
we have been happily preserved from the
caamlties 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 10 a
greater extent than usual, and the sacrifice
OF human life, through casualties by sea
and land, is without parallel. But the
pesilence has swept by, and restored salu
brity invites the absent 10 their homes, and
the return Of business TO its ordinary chan
nels. II the earth has rewarded The labor
Of the hu>bandman less buuntiully than in
preceding seasons, il has left him with abun-
dance Tor domestic wants, aud u large sur
plus for expectation. In the present, there
fore, as in the past, we find ample grounds
for reverent thankfulness TO the God Of
Grace and Providence, for His protecting
care and merciful dealings with us as peo-
pie.
Although our attention has been arrested
by painful interest in passing events, ye; DIR
country feels no more than the slight vibra-
lions Of the commissions which have shaken
Europe. As individuals we cannot repress
sympathy with human suffering, nor regret
for the causes which produce it, As ma
ton, we are reminded, that whatever inter-
rupts the peace or checks the prosperity o.
any part OF Christendom, tends, more or
less, to involve our own. The condition Of
States is not unlike that of individuals. -
They are naturally dependent upon each
other. Amicable relations between them,
and reciprocal good will, are essential for
iba ~ -,
their moral, social and political condition.
Hence, it has been my earnest endeavor to
maintain peace and friendly intercourse with
all nations.
The wise theory of this government, so
early adopted and steadily pursued, OF avoid
ing all entangling alliances, has hitherto ex.
empted it from many complications, in Which
it would otherwise have become involved.
Notwithstanding this, our clearly defined
and well sustained course of action, and our
geographical position, SO remote from Eu-
rope, increasing disposition has been mani
tested by some Of its governments 10 super
foreign policy. In plans for adjusting the
balance OF power among themselves, they
have assumed 10 take us into account, and
would constran us to conform our conduct
10 their views. One or another Of the pow
ers Of Europe has, from time to time, under
taken to enforce arbitrary regulations, con-
trary, in many respects 10 established prin-
ciples of international law. That law the
United States have, in their foreign inter
course, uniformly respected and observed ;
and they cannot recognise any such interpo-
lutions therein, as the temporary interests
of Others may suggest. They do not admit
that the soyereigns of one continent, or OF
a particular community Of States, can legis-
late for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations TO ad-
just their political system in the way they
may think best for their common welfare,
! The independent powers Of this continent
may veil assert lie right to be exempt from
all annoying interference on their part.
, Systematic abstinence from intimate polili-
cal conneXion with distant foreign nations,
does hot conflict with giving the widcs
range 10 our oreign commerce. This dis
tinclion, SO clearly marked in history, seem
to have been overlooked, or disregarded, by
some leading foreign States. Our refusal
/ to be brought within, and subjec! cd to, their
| peculiar system, has, fear, created jea-
our diStruSt of cur conduct, and induced on
/ their part, occasional acts OF disturbing eli
/ feet upon our foreign relations. Our pres
ent attitude and past course give assurances
which should not be questioned, that our
purposes are not aggressive or threatening
to the safety and welfare OF other nations.
Our military establishment in time OF
peace, is adapted to maintain exterior de-
fences, and TO preserve order among the
aboriginal tribes within the limits Of the
Union. Our naval force is intended only
for the protection Of orr citizens abroad,
and Of our commerce, diifuSed, as it is, over
all the seas Of the globe. The government
Of the United States, being essentially pa
cific in policy, stands prepared to repel in
vasion by the voluntary service Of patri.
otto people, and provides no permanent means
Of foreign aggression. These considerations
should alIay all apprehension that we are
disposed TO encroach on the rights, or en-
danger the security, Of other nations.
Some European powers, have regarded
with disqiue'ing concern, the territorial ex-
pansion Of the United States. This rapid
growth has resulted from the legitimate cx-
ercisc Of sovereign rights, belonging alike
to all nations, and by many literally exer.
ciscd Under such circumstances it could
hardly have been expected that those among
them, which have, within a comparatively
recent period, subdued and absorbed ancient
kingdoms, planted their standards on every
continent, and now possess. or claim the con.
troll of, the islands Of every ocean as theil
appropriate domain, would look with un
friendly sentiment upon the acquisitions o
this country, in every instance honorab|S
obtained, or would feel themselves justified
in irnpuing our advancement TO spirit o
aggression, or TO passion for political pre-
dominance.
Orr foreign commerce has reached n mag
uitufe and extent nearly equal to that of tn,
first maritime power OF lie earth, and ex
ceeding that Of any other. Over this grea
interest, in which not only our merchants
but all classes Of citizens, at least indirectly
are concerned, it j. the duty Of the exccu
tive and laoi slntiyP branches nr thp r,,,nru