The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-12-09

that il will be followed by a revolution in
France against Louis Napoleon, and probab-
Iy in favor Of Henry 9th. That is Mr.. ri.
ats opinion.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Feilor- Citizens orNe Senate
and House q Reprssentatiees.
The past has been an eventiul year, and
will hereafter be referred to as marked
epoc in the history Of the world. While
wc 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
nearly cut of. Disease has prevailed to
greater extent than usual, and the sacrifices
OF human life, through casualties by sea and
land, are without parallel. But the pesti-
cncc has swept by, and restored salubrty
invites the absent to their homes and the
return Of business TO It's ordinary channels
If the earth has rewarded the labor Of the
hushandman less bountifully than in prcccd.
ing seasons, it has left MIN with abundance
for domestic wants, and a large surplus for
expectation. In the present, therefore, as
IN the past, we find ample grounds for rev
ercnt thanklulness to the God Of Grace aud
Providence, for His protecting care aud mcr.
cituI 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 ylbra.
tons oithc commissions, which have shaken
Europe. As individuals, we cannot repass
sympathy with human suffering, nor regret
for the uses which produce it. As a ma.
ton, we are reminded, that whatever inter
rupt' the peace, or checks the prosperity, OF
any part Of ChristcndOm, tends more or less
TO involve our own. The conditions Of States
is not unlike that Of inhiytduufs tfrry are
mutually dependent upon each otfer. Am
icablc relations between hem, and recipro-
cal good will, are essential for thc,promotion
Of whatever is desirable in their moral, social
and political condition. Hence, it has been
my earnest endcayor to maintoin peace and
friendly intercourse with all nations
The wise theory Of this government, so
early adopted and steadily pursued, of AVOID
ing all entnngling alliances, has hlthert cx-
emptcd it from many complications, in which
it would otherwise have become involved. -
Notwithstanding this, our clearly defined and
well sustained course Of action, and our geo
graphical position 50 remote from Europe,
increasing disposition has been manifested
by some Of its governments. to rIpervise,
and, in certain respects to direct our foreign
policy. IN plans for justing the balance
Of power among themselves, they have as
sulned to take u. into account and would
constrajn us 20 conform our conduct to their
views. One or another of the powers OF Eu-
# Z 80, aly,V ~,
/ enforce arbitrary regulations contrary IN
many respects to established principles Of
international law. That law, the United
States have in their foreign intercourse, uni.
forn'y respected and observed, and they
cannot recognize any such interpolations
therein, rs the temporary interests OF others
may suggest. They do not admit, that the
/ soycrcgns OF one continent or OF particular
/ community OF states, can legislste for all
: others
1 Leaving the transatlantic nations to ad'
J Just their political system, in the way they
may think best for their common welfare,
/ the independent powers Of the continent may
/ well assert the right to be exempt from all
annoying interference on their part Sys.
/ tematic abstinance from intimate political
conncxion with different nations, does not
conflict with giving the widest range to our
foreign commerce. This distinction, so
clearly marked in history, seems to have
| been overlooked, or disregarded, by some
/ leading foreign states. Our refusal to be
brought within, and subjected to, their Pc
cular system, has, fear, created jealous
| distrust of our conduct, and induced, on
| their part, occasional acts of disturbing el-
feet upon our foreign relations. Our militia
nv establishment, in time Of peace is adapt
ed to maintain exterior deiences, and to pre-
serve order among the aboriginal tribes with
in the limits Of the Union. Our naval force
is intended only for the protection of ouI
citizens abroad, and of our commerce, diff
fused, as it is. all over the seas Of the globe
The government of the United States, being
essentially pacific in policy, stands prepared
to repc invasion by the voluntary service
of patriotic people, and provides no perma
nent means of foreign aggression. These
considerations should allay all apprehension
that we are disposed to cncroach on the
rights, or endanger the security OF othel
States.
Some European powers have regarded
with disauieting concern, the territorial ex
pansion of the United States. This rapit
growth has resulted from the legitimate ex
ercise Of sovereign rights, belonging alik'
Cis"d |G "i '' IUdsr @ such circumstances i coul,
harI,,. ,,.Ti ha"a'hcon exnectcn that those anon,
ry ,%om Which ~naI have within a comparativel,
r"con, rnV, M narios subdued and absorbed ancicn
rJuS"' ua%oa pu'p uI,nted their standards On ever,
Nlnsuou's' p,"a p"a no,r no.sess or claim .h,
co'' co",roi nS the Islands Of every ocean as the
oU,,.U' oUnumr;ato ia . domain would look with un