Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-12-14
r q r AZ s.:
THE PREsIDEMT's MESSAGE.


THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fello,o C;6zeas of the Senate and House Of
Representatives The past has been an event
ful year, and will be hereafter referred to as
a marked epoch in the histoiy of the world.
While we have, been happily reserved from
the calamities of war, our domestic prosperity
has not been cntirely uninterrupted. The
crops in portions of the country have been
nearly cut. off, Disease has prevailed to a
greater extent than usual, and the sacrifice OF
human life, through casualties by sea and
land, is without a parallel. But the pestl-
lence has swept by, and restored salubrity
invites the absent to their homes, and the re-
turn of business to its ordinary channels. 1t
the earth has rewarded the labor of tie hus-
bandman less beuntifully than in proceeding
seasons, it has left him with abundance for
domestic wants, and large surplus for ex-
portation. In the present, therefore, as IN the
past, we find ample grounds for reverent
thankfulness to the God of Grace and Provi-
dence, for His protecting care and merciful
dealings with US, as people.
Although our attention has been arrested
by painful interest in passing events, yet our
country feels no more than the slight vibra-
tions of the convulsions which have shaken
Europe. As indiv ;duals, We cannot repEess
sympathy with human suffering nor regret for
the causes which produce it. As nation,
we are reminded that whatever interrupts the
peace, or checks the prosperity, of any part
of Christendom, tends, more or less, to IN
yolve our own. The condition of States is
not unlike that of individuals. They are mu-
tually dependent upon each other Amicable
relation between them, and reciprocal good
will, are essential for the promotion of what
ever is desirable in their moral, social. and
political condition. Hence it has been my
earnest endeayor to maintain peace and friend
ly 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
1t would otherwise have become involved.
notwithstanding this, our clearly defined and
well-sustained course of action and our geo
graphical position so remote from Europe, IN
creasing disposition has been manifested, by
some of its governments, to supervise, and,
In certain respects, to direct our foreign poll
cy In plans for adjusting the balance of
power among themselves, they have assumed
to take us into account, and would constrain
as to conform our conduct to their views
One or another of the powers of Europe has.
from time to time, undertaken to enforce ar
'bitrary regulations, contrary in many respects
to established principles of international law.
That law, the UniEed States have, in their
foreign intercourse, uniformly respected and
observed, and they cannot recognize any such
interpretations therein, as the temporary in
terests of others may suggest. They do not
admit, that the sovereigns of one continent,
or of particular community of states, can
legislate for all others.
Leaving the transatlantic nations TO adjust
their political system in the way they may
think best for their common welfare, the in
dependent powers of this continent may well
assert the right to be exempt from all annoy
ing interference on their part. Systematic
abstinence from intimate political connection
with distant foreign nations does not conflict
with giving the widest range to our foreign
commerce. This distinction so clearly mark
ed IN history, seems to have been overlooked
or disregarded by some leading foreign States
On refusal to be brought within, and subject
: ed to, their peculiar system, has, l fear. ere
ated Jealous distrGst of our conduct, and in
duced. on their part. occasional acts of dis
turbing effect upon our foreign relations.
Our present attitude and past 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 adapted to maintain exterior de-
fences, and to preserve order among the abor-
iginal tribes within the limits of the Union =
Our naval force is intended only for the pro-
lection of our citizens abroad, and of our COM
meree, diffused as it is, over all the seas of
the globe. The government of the, United
states beng essentially pacific in policy, stands
prepared to repel invasion by the voluntary
service of patriotic people, and provides no
permanent means of foreign aggression These
considerations should allay all apnrebens;on
that we are disposed to encroach unon tho
rights, or endanger the security. Of o,ba,
States.
Some European powers have regarded. with
idisquieting .concern, the territorial expansion
of the United States. This rapid growth has
resulted from the legitimate exercise of sover-
eign rights, belonging alike to all nations
and by many literally exercised. Under such
circumstances, it could hardly have been ex.
pectcd that those among them, which have
within comparatively recentperiod, subdued
and absorbed ancient kingdoms planted theil
standards on every coptinent, and now pos
sess' or claim the control of, the islands oi
every ocean in their appropriate domain
would look with unfriendly sentiments upou
the acquisitions of this country, in every In