Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of The Senate and
House of Representatives:

and will be hereafter referred to as q
marked epoch in the history of the
world. While we have been happily
preserved from the calamities of war,
our domestic prosperity has not been
entirely uninterrupted. The crops, in
portions of the country, have been near
ly cut of. Disease has prevailed to g
greater extent than usual, and the sacri-
fee of human life, through casualties
by sea and land, is without a parallel
But the pestilence has swept by, and
restored salubrity invites the absent tc
their homes, and the return Of business
to its ordinary channels. If the earth
has rewarded the labor of the husband
man less bountifully than in preceding
seasons, it has left him with abundance
for domestic wants, and large surplus
for expectation. In the present, there
fore, as in the past, we find ample
grounds for reyerent thankfulness to the
God of Grace and Providence, for his
Frotracting care and merciful dealings
with us as people. 81
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 conyul-
sions, which have shaken Europe. As
individuals, we cannot repress sympa-
thy with human suferings, nor regret
for the causes which produce it. As a
nation, we are reminded, that whatever
interrupts the peace, or checks the pros
perity of any part of Cbristendom,
tends, more or less, to involve our own.
The condition of States is not unlike
that of individuals. They are mutually
upon each other. Amicable
relations between them, and reciprocal
good will, are essential for the promo
ton of whatever is desirable in their
moral, social, and political condition.
Hence, it has been my earnest endeavor
to maintain peace and friendly inter
course with all nations. l' -n v.-..
The wise theory of this government, so early
adopted and steadily pursued, of avoiding all
2g alliances, has hitherto exempted 1t
from many complications, in which it would
have become involved. NOtwith
this our clearly defined and well sus-
taiped course of action, and our geographical
position so remote from Europe, increasing
has been manifested, by some Of
its governments, to supervise, and, in certain
respects, 10 direct, our foreign policy. In
plans for adjusting the balance Of power
among themselves they have assumed to take
us into account, and would constrain us to con-
form our conduct to their views. One or an
other of the powers Of Europe has, from time
to time, undertaken TO enforce arbitrary regu-
IaiiOns, contrary in many respects to estab
Iished principles of international law. That
law, the United States have, in their foreign
intercourse, uniformly respected and observed,
and they cannot recognize any such interpola-
ions therein, as the temporary interests Of
Ithers may suggest. They do not admit, that
he sove-eigns of one continent, or of 4 par
icular community of States, can legislate for
all others
Leaving the transatlantic nations to adjust
heir political system, in the way they may
hink best for their common welfare, the indie
pendent powers of this continent may well as
;ert the right to be exempt from all annoying
Interference on their part. Systematic absti-
lence from intimate political connections with
lis ant foreign nations. does not conflict with
giving the widest range TO our foreign com
nerce. This distinction. so clearly marked in
history seems TO have been overlooked, or dis
regarded, by some leading foreign states. Our
refusal to be brought within, and subjected to,
heir peculiar system, has, | fear, created a
ealous distrust of our conduct, and induced, !
IN their part, occasional acts of disturbing ef-
ect upon our foreign relation. Our present at /
itude and past course give assurances, which |
hould not be questioned, that our purposes are |
lot aggressive. nor threatening to the safet |
md welfare of other nations. Our mi itary |
in times of peace, is adapted TO !
maintain exterior defences, and to preserve
rider among the aboriginal tribes within the /!
limits of the Union. Our naval force is in /
ended only for the protection of our citizens
broad, and of our commerce, difused, as it 1
s, over all the seas of the globe. The Govern |
nent of the United States, being essentially
'acific in policy, stands prepared to repel in
'asion by the voluntary service Of a patriotic /
'eople, and provide no perrnenant means of
oreign aggression. These considerations .
hould allay all apprehension, that we are
disposed TO encroach on the rights, or endanger
he security, of other States. /
Some European powers have regarded with /
lisquieting concern, the territorial expansion
4 the United States. This rapid growth has
esulted from the legitimate exercise of .soveT-
ign rights, belonging alike to all nations, and
y many literally exercised. Under such cir
umstances, it could hardly have been expected
hat those among them, which have, within a
recent period, subdued and alb
orbed ancient kingdoms, planted their stand
rds on every continent, and row possess or
lain the control of, the islands Of every ocean
S their appropriate domain, would look with
sentiments upon the acquisitions of
his country, in every instance honorably OBJ
aimed, or would feel themselves justified in
mputing our advancement to spirit of ag-
'ression, or to passion for political predon1i-
Iance. ESD @ sF eHu =
Our foreign commerce has reached magni-
ude and extent nearly equal to that Of the first
naratlme power of the earth, and exceeding
which not only our merchants but all classes of
itizens at least indirectly are concerned, it is
he duty of the executive and legislative
ranches of the government to exercise care
ul supervision and adopt proper measures for
IS protection. The policy which have had
q view, IN regard to thisinterest, embraces its
uture as well as its present security. 7
Long experience has shown that, when the
'rincipal powers Of Europe are engaged in
gar, the rights of neutral nations are endan-
erred. This consideration led, in the progress
T the war of our Independence to the forms-
ion Of the celebrated confederacy Of armed
eutrality, primary object Of which was, to
ssert the doctrine that free ships make free
oods, except in the case of articles contra
and of war; adoctrine which, from the very
of our national being, has been
4 IL l., r. a..