The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-20
Chr presiofnt's eMfssagf.

The past has been an eyentfal year, and WI
be hereafter referred to as a marked epoch j
the history of the world. While we have bee
happily preserved from the calamitias of wal
our domestic prosperity has not been entrel
uninterrupted. The crops in portions Of th
country have been nearly cut off. Disease ha
prevailed to greater extent than usual, an
the sacrifice of human life, through casualtie
by sea and land is without parallel. But th
pestence has swept by, and restored salubrit
invites the absent to their homes, and the retur
of business to its ordinary channels. If th
earth has rewarded the labor Of the husband
man less beautifully than in former seasons,
has left him with abundance for domesti
wants, and a large surplus for expectation. /
the present, therefore, as in the past we fin
ample grounds for reverent thankfulness to TIL
God of grace and Providence for His protectin.
care and mercful dealings with us as people
Although our attention has been arrested b,
painful interest in passing events, yet our coun
try feels no more than the slight vibrations o
the commissions which have shaken Europe. Al
individuals. we can not repress sympathy witt
human suffering, nor regret for the causes which
produce it. As nation, we are reminded tina
whatever interrupts the peace, or checks the
prosperity Of any part OF chrstendom, tends
more or less, TO involve our own. The condition
of states is not unlike that Of individuals. They
are mutually dependent upon each other Ami
cable relations between them, and reciprocal
good will are essential for the promotion OIL
whatever is desirable in the moral, social and
political condition. Hence, it has been my ear
nest endeayor to maintain peace and friendly in
tercourse with all nations.
The wise theory Of this government,so early
adopted and steadily pursued, of avoiding all
entangling alliances, has hitherto exempted it
from many complications in which it would 9th
erwise have been involved.
Notwithstanding this, our clearly defined and
well sustained course of action, and our geo
graphical position SO remote from Europe, in
ereasing disposition has been manifested, by
some of its governments, to supervise, and, in
certain respects, to direct our foreign pocY:-
In plans for adjusting the balance Of power
among themselves, they have assumed to take
us into account, and would constran usto con-
form our conduct to their views. One or an
other Of the powersof Europe has, from time to
time, undertaken to enforce arbitrary regula-
tons contrary in many respects to established
principles of International law That law the
United States have in their foreign intercourse,
uniformly respected and observed, and they
cannot recognise any such interlopations there
in, as the temporary interests Of others may
suggest. They do not admit that the sovereigns
of one continent, or a particular community of
states, can legislate for all others.
Leaving the trans atlantic nations to ad just
their political system in the way they may
think better for their common welfare, the in
dependent powers of this continent may well |
assertthe rig ht to be exempt from all annoying
interference on their part. Systematic absti-
nence from intimate political connection with
distant foreign nations does not conflict with
giving the widest range to our foreign COM
merce. This distinction, SO clearly marked in
history, seems to have been overlooked or disre-
garded by some leading foreign states. Ourre-
fusal to be brought within and subjected to
their peculiar system, has, [ fear, created
jealous distrust Of our conduct, and occasoned
on their part occasional acts of disturbing eff
fects upon our foreign relations. Our present at
titude and last course give assurances 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 adopted to
maintain exterior defences and to preserve or
der among the aboriginal tribes within the lin
It's VI zig - ouI HdNdl lOlCCS Is lnIGnICu
only for the protection of our citizens abroad,
and of our commerce, dffused as it is, over all
the seas of the globe. The government Of the
United States being essentially pacific in policy,
stands prepared to repel invasion by the volun-
tary service Of patriotic people, and provides .
no permanent means of foreign aggression. =
These considerations should allay all apprehen- :
sion, that we are disposed to encroach on the !
rights or endanger the security of other states y
Some European powers have regarded with '
concern the territorial expansion of u
the United States. This rapid growth has re- !. u
suited from the legitimate exercise of sovereign =
rights, belonging alike to all nations and BY y
many literally exercised. Under such circum- d
stances, it could hardly have been expected q
that those among them which have, within IT,
recent period subdued and alb ~
5orbed ancient kingdoms, planted their stand +
ards on every continent, and now possess, or u
claim the control of, the islands of every ocean,
as their appropriate domain, would look with e,
sentiments upon the acquisitions of ~
his country, in every instance honorably OBJ -
aimed, or would feel themselves justified in i'm y,
,uting our advancement to spirit of aggres- y:
ion, OF to passion for political performance .,
Our foreign commerce has reached magni- If
ude and extent nearly equal to that of the first liz
maritime power Of the earth, and exceeding that g.
# any other. Over this great interest, in in
which not only our merchants, but all classes W
t citizens, at least indirectly, are concerned, it
5 the duty of the executive and legislative TT
ranches Of the government to exercise care d.
I'll supervision, and adopt proper measures for 10
IS protection. The policy which had in view, W
regard to this interest, embraces its future as Of
yell as its present security. &c
Long experience has shown, that in general, n
then the principal powers of Europe are en- tn
agedn war, the rights of neutral nations are n1
ndangcred This consideration lee, in the pro- r.
ress Of the war Of our independence, to the fo,
'rmation Of the celebrated federacy Of armed IT,
eutrality primary object of which was to as int
srt the doctrines that free ships make free co
Gods except in case of articles contraband of ao
~, doctrine which, from the very COM ~ ~
lencement Of our national being has been IL.
hershed idea of the statesmen of this country. sh,
4 one period or another, every maritime power tbs
as, by some solemn treaty stipulation, recoe- for
lzed that principles and it might have been on,