Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-12-08
PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY, DEC. s, 1854
The Presidents Message.

The length Of the Presidents Messag
renders it impossible for us to publish i
III full, Du; believing it to tc documcn
Of gr2a. importance, we present our read
c:s with a well-iiSestei synopsis.
In commencing, Mr.. PIERCE remarks
that this has been an eventful year, anC
though things have been bad, yet we hav
great reason to be thankful that they ar
no verse.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The condition of the States is not un
like that of individuals. Amicable rela
tions between them and reciprocal goot
will are essential for the promotion o
whatever is desirable in their moral, socia
and political condition. Hence, it ha
been my earnest endeavor to maintain
peace and friendly intercourse with all ma
tions. The wise theory of the govern
ment so early adopted and steadily pur
sued, of avoiding all entangling alliances
has hitherto exempted it from many com
plications in which it would otherwisC
have become involved.
Notwithstanding this, our clearly de.
fined and well sustained course of action
and our geographical position, so remote
from Europe, an increasing disposition
has been manifested by some of its gov
ernments to supervise, and in certain re-
spects to direct our foreign policy.
One or another Of the powers of Eu
rope has, from time to time, undertaken
to enforce arbitrary regulations, contrary
in many respects, to the established prin
ciples of international law. That law tn
United States have in their foreign inter
course uniformly respected and observed
and they cannot recognise any such inter
polations therein as the temporary inter
csts of Others may suggest. They do no
admit that the sovereigns Of one Cont
nent or of particular community O
: States can legislate for all others, leaving
the transatlantic nations to frame thei
political systems in the way they may thinl
best for the common welfare.
The independent pioneers Of this con
tinent may well assert the right to be cx
empt from all annoying interference OF
their part. Systematic abstinence from
intimate political connection with distan
foreign nations does not conflict with Civ
ing the widest range to our foreign com
merce.
The distinction, so clearly made in his
tory, seems to have been overlooked o
disregarded by some leading foreign States
Our refusal to be brought within and sub
jected to their peculiar systems, has, | fear
created Jealous distrust of our conduct
and indeed, on their part, occasional act
of disturbing effect on our foreign rela
tions. Our present attitude and pas
course give assurances which would no
be questioned, that our purposes are no
aggressive, nor threatening the safety anc
welfare of other nations.
Our military establishment, in time o.
peace, is adapted to maintain exterior de.
fences, and to preserve order among the
aboriginal tribes within the limits of the
Union.
Our naval force is intended only for the
protection of our citizens abroad, and O,
our commerce, diffused as it is all over the
seas of the globe. The Government o.
the United States, being essentially pacific
in its political relations, stands prepared
torepel invasion, stands by the voluntar,
service of a patriotic people, and provide.
no government means Of foreign aggres
sion.
These considerations should allay til,
apprehension that we are disposed to en-
croach on the rights, or endanger the Sc
crrity Of other States. Some Europcar
Governments have regarded with disoui
eting concern the territorial expansion O
the United States. This rapid growth ha
resulted from the Legitimate exercise 0
sovereign rights, belong alike to all ma
tions, and by many, literally exercised
Under such circumstances, it could hardl,
have been expected that those among then
which have, within comparatively reccn
period, subdued and absorbed their ancien
kingdoms, planted their standards on ey
cry continent and now possess, or claim
the control Of the islands of every ocea1
as their appropriate domain, would loo]
with unfriendly sentiments upon the ac
QUESTIONS Of this country, in every in
stance honorably obtained, or would fee
themselves justified in imputing our ad
vancemcnt to spirit of aggression or t,
. passion for political predominanc:.
RIGHTS OF NEUTRAL NATIONS.
Long experience has shown that in gen
eral when the principal powers of Eu
rope are engaged in war, the rights o
neutral na'ions are endangered. The con
sideration led in the progress of the wa
Of our independence, to the formation o
the confederation of an armed neutrality,
primary object of which was to assert tb,
doctrine that FREQ ships make free goods.
' Except in the case Of articles contra
band Of war tho doctrine from the very
s,mmenceme, Of our. national existcnct