The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1854-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsllcav citizens Of the Senate
and of the House of Represen

While we have been happily preserved
from the calami,ies of war, our domestic
prosperity has no, been entirely uninter-
rupted. The crops, in portions Of the
country, have been nearly cut off. Dis
ease has prevailed to greater extent
than usual, and the sacrifice of human
life, through casualties by sea and land,
is without parallel. But the pestilence
has swept by, and restored salubrity in
vites the absent to their homes, and the
return Of business to its ordinary chan
nels. If the earth has rewarded the la
Dor of the husbandman less bountifully
than in preceding seasons, it has left him
with abundance for domestic wants, and
a large surplus for expectation. In the
present, therefore, as in the past we find
ample grounds for reverent thankfuIness
to the God of Grace and Providence, for
His protecting care and merciGul dealings
with us as people.
Although our attention has been ar
rested by painful interest in passing
events, yet our country feels no more
than the slight vibrations Of the convul-
sions, which have shaken Europe. As
individuals, we cannot repress sympathy
with human suffering, nor regret for the
causes which produce IT.. AS a nation,
we are reminded, that whatever inter-
rup,s the peace, or checks the prosperity
Of any part Of Christendom, tends, more
or less, to involve our own. The condi-
tons of States is not unlike that of iudi-
vlduals. They are mutually dependent
upon each other. Amicable relations he
tween them, and reciprocal good will, are
essential tor the promotion Of whatever is
desirable in their moral, social, and polit.
ical 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, O
avoiding all entangling alliances, has
hitherto exempted ii from many compli.
cations, in which 1t would otherwise have
become involved. Notwithstanding this
our clearly defined and well sustained
course OF action, and our geographical po
| sltlon So remote from Europe. increas
ing dlspo sitioa has been manifested b,
and, In certain respects, to direct, ou
foreign policy. In plans for adjusting
the balance OF power among themselves
they have assumed 10 take ia lnto ac
count, aud would e0nstrain us to conform
our conduct TO their views. One or an
other of the powers OF Europe has, from
time TO time, undertaken TO enforce arbi
spec,s TO established principles OF inter
national law That law, tie Unitet
States have, III their foreign intercourse
uniformly respected and observed, an,
they cannot recognize any such interpo
tatlons therein, as the temporary interest
OF others may suggest. They do not ad
init, that the sovereigns Of one continen,
or ot a particular community of States
can leglslale for all others.
Leaving tho transatlantic nations +
adlnst their Political system, in the wa
they may think best for their common
welfare. the Independent, powers of thi
continent may well assert the right to b.
exempt rom all annoying interference o.
} their part. Systematic abstinence from
intimate political connection with dstan
nations, does not conflict with giving tn
wldesL range TO our foreign commerce. -
This distinction, SO clearly marked in bis
tory, seems 10 have been overlooked o
distegarded, by some leading loreigl
states. Our refusal to be brought within
and subjected 10 their peculiar system
has, l fear, created Jealous dls,rus, Q
our conduct, and induced. on their par,
occasional acts OF disturbing effect upo
our loreign relations. Our present att
tuae aud past course give assurances
winch saould not be questioned, that ou
purposes are not aggressive. nor threat
ening to the safety and wei fare Of othe
nations. Our military establishment, il
time OF peace, is adapted TO maintain ex
terror deenees, and to preserve orde
among the aboriginal tribes within tn
limits OF the Union. Our naval force
intended only tor the protection Of ou
citizens abroad, and OF our commere.
) dliiused, as It is, over all the seas OF til
! globe. Ihe government OF the Unite
States, being essentially pacific in Ioic,
stands prepared TO repel invasion by til
: voluntary service Of a patriotic people
!. anu provides no permanent means OF tol
$ elgn aggression. These consideration
should allay all apprehension that "
are disposed to encroaeh on the rights ,
endangef the security og other States.
Some European powers nave regarde
with dlsquleted concern, the ,erritorl;
expansion of the United States. Til
RAPID growth has resulted from the Iegl
innate exercise OF sovereign rights belone
ing alike 70 all nations, and by many lit
erally exercised. Under such ,.rcu.r
stances, j, could hardly have been expee
ed that those among them, which hay,
within comparatively recent perto,
suoduea and absorbed ancient klngdorn
e planted their standards on every cont
nent, and now possess, or claim the cor
troll Of, the islands OF every ocean as the
: appropriate domain, would look with u,
friendly sentiments upon the acquisition
O TINS country, IN every instance hono
ably obtained, or would feel theinselye
: justified IA lmputing our advancement
:. spirit OF aggression or TO a passion /,
political predomlnance.
Our foreign commerce has reached
: magnitude and extent nearly equal to I'll;