Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-12-20
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FettorO citizens Of the Senate
and ofthe House of Represento

( has not been entirely uninterrupted. Tht
crops, in portions of the country, have
= been nearly cut off. Disease has prevail
ed to a greater extent than usual, and Tho
s sacrifice of human life, through casualtie.
by sea and land, is without a parallel
But the pestilence has swept by, and res
r tored Salubrity invites the absent to theil
| homes, and the return Of business to its
ordinary channels. If the earth has re.
warded the labor Of the husbandman less
bountifully than in preceding seasons, il
has left him with abundance for domestic
wants, and large surplus for expectation
In the present, therefore, us in the past,
We find ample grounds for reverent thank
fulness to the God Of Grace and Provi-
dencc, for his protecting care and mcrci,
ful dealings with US rs people.
Although our attention has been arrest
cd by painful interest in passing events,
yet our country feels no more than the
slight vibrations Of the commissions which
have shaken Europe. AS individuals, we
cannot repress sympathy with human suf-
fcring, nor regret for the causes which
produce it. As u nation, we are remind
ed, that whatever interrupts the peace, or
checks The prosperity, or any part OF Chris
tcnIom, tends, more or less, to involve
our own. The condition of States is not
unlike that OF individuals. They are mu-
tualIy dependent upon each other. Am
icabc relations between them, and recip
rocal good will, are essential for TIC pro-
motion Of whatever is desirable in their
moral, social, and political con,ii,ion.-
Hence, it has been my earnest cndeayor
to maintain peace and friendly intercourse
with all nations.
The wise theory OF this government, 50
early adopted and steadily pursued, Of
avoiding all cntangling alliances, has hth
erto exempted it Irom many complications
in which it would otherwise have become
involved. Notwithstanding this, our clear.
II defined and wCli-sustainud course of ac-
ton, and our geographical position 50 re-
mote from Europe, increasing disposition
has been manifested, by some Of its gov
ernments, TO supervise, and, in certain
respects, to direct, our foreign policy. LIN
plans for adjusting the balance OF power
among themselves, they haXe assumed 20
take us into account, and would 'natrniI
US to conform our conduct to their views.
One or another of the powers Of Europe
has, from time to time, unIurtakcn 10 en-
force arbitrary regulations, contrary in
many respects 10 established principles OF
international l,w. That law, the United
States have, in their foreign intercourse,
uniformly respected aud observed, ami
they cannot recognize any such ln,vrpo
la,ions therein as the temporary interests
Of others may sug 5est. They do not ad
nit that the sOvercigns Of Que coutinc1t,
or Of particular community Of StaL.s can
lcgislale for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations TO ad-
just their political system in the way Ihcy
may think best for their common welfare,
the Independent powers Of this continent
may we'll assert the right TO be exempt
from all annoying Interference on their
part Systematic abstinence from inti-
mate political connection with distant for
eign nations, does not conflict with giving
the widest range to our foreign commerce.
This distinction, 50 clearly marked in his
tory, seems to have been overlooked or dis
re egardcd, by some leading rtign States.
Our refusal to be brou ght within, and sub
iected to, their peculiar System, has, l
fear, created Jealous distrust Of our CON
duet, and induced, on their part, occasion
al acts of disturbing effect upon cur for
past course rive 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 Ol peace,
is adapted to maintain exterior detcnces,
and to preserve order among the aborlgl-
nal tribes within the limits of the Union.
Our naval force is intended only for the
protection Of our citizens abroad, and OF
our commerce, ditfused, as it is. over all
the seas Of the globe. Tie government
Of the United States, being essentially pa
cifc in policy, stands prepared to rePel in
vasOn by the voluntary service Of pa
trioLic people, and provides no pcrmAnca:
means Of foreign aggression. These co"-
siderations should allay all apprehension
that we are disposed to encroach~ on the
rights, or endanger the security of other
States.
Same European powers have regarded,
with di>Quieting concern, the territorial
expansion of the United States. This rap
id growth has resulted from The legitimate
exercise of sovereign rights belonging a
like to all nations, and by many liberAlly
exercised. Under such circumstances, il
could hardly have been expected tha
those among them, which have, within {
comparatively recent period, su6dued anc
absorbed ancient kingdoms, planted thei1
> standards on every continent, and no"
possess, or claim the control of, the is
lands OF every ocean as their appropriate
domain, would look with unfriendly sen
> timents upon the acquisitions of this coun
try, in every instance honorably obtained
or would feel themselves justified in i'm
putting our advancement TO a spirit OF ag
gression or to a passion for political pre-
dominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached
mamniLnde and extent nearly equal to thn