Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-14

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
Fello,c Citieers ofthe Senate

ana ot the House OF Representatives.:
The past has been an eventful year, and
Will be hereafter referred to as a marked epoch
in the history of the world While we have
been happily preserved from the calamities Of
war, eur domestic prosperity has not been en-
tifely uninterrupted. The crops, in portions
of the country, have been nearly cut Off Dis.
ease has prevailed TO a greater extent thar
usual, and the sacrifice of human life, through
casualties by sea and land, is without a par
allel. But the pestilence has swept by, and
restored salubrity invites the absent TO theil
homes, and the Tetnra Of sttsseess to its ordi-
nary channels. If the earth has rewarded the
labor of the husbandman less bountifully than
IN preceding seasons, IL has left him with
abundance for domestic wants, and a large
surplus for expectation. In the present. there
fore, as in the past, we find ample grounds for
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 vibration
of the convulsions which have shaken Europe
As individuals, we cannot repress sympathy
with human suffering, nor regret tor the causes
which produce it. AS a nation, we are re-
checks the prosperity of any part of christen-
dom, tends more or less TO involve our own.
The condition of states is not unlike that of in
dividuals. They are mutually dependant upon
each other Amicable relations between them
and reciprocal good will, are essential for the
promotion of whatever is desirable in their
moral, social and political condition. Hence,
1t has been my earnest endeavor to maintain
peace and friendly 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 il from many complications, in which
it would otherwise have become involved
Notwithstanding this our clearly defined and
we'll sustained course of action, and our
geographical position so remote from Europe,
increasing disposition has been manifested by
some of its governments, to supervise, and in
certain respects. TO direct our foreign policy.
Ia plans for adjusting the balance of power
among themselves, they have assumed to take
us into account, and would constran US TO
conform our conduct to their views. One or
another of the powers of Europe has, from
time TO time, undertaken to enforce arbitrary
regulations, contrary in many respects 10 es-
tabllshed principles of international law
eign intercourse, uniformly respected and OBJ
served, and they cannot recognize any such IN
terpolatlOns therein, as the temporary interests
OF others may suggest. They do not admit
that the soyereigns 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 indie
pendent powers of this continent may well as
sert the right to be exempt from all annoying
interference on their part. Systematic absti-
nence from intimate political connection with
distant foreign nations, does not conflict with
giving the widest range to our foreign COM
merce. 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 their peculiar system, has, l fear, created
jealous distrust of our conduct, and induced,
on their part, occasional acts Of disturbing ef-
feet upon our foreign relations. Our present
attitude and past course give assurances,
which should not be questioned, that our pur-
poses 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 defences, 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 of our commerce, diffused
as it is, over all the seas of the globe The
government ct the United States, being essen
tially pacific in policy stands prepared to re-
pei invasion by the voluntary service of pat
riotic people, and provides no permanent
means of foreign aggression. These consid-
eratiens should allay all apprehensions that
we are disposed to encroach on the rights, or
endanger the security of other states.
Some European powers have regarded, with
disquieting concern, the territorial expansion
Of the United States. This rapid growth has
resulted from the legitimate exercise of SOW
ereign rights, belonging alike to all nations,
and by many literally exercised. Under
such circumstances, it could hardly have been
expected that those among them, which have
within comparatively recent period, subdued
and absorbed ancient kingdoms, planted their
standards on every continent, and now possess,
or claim the control Of the islands of every
ocean as their appropriate domain, would look
with unfriendly sentiments upon the acqusi-
tiOns of this country, In every instance honor
ably obtained, or would feel themselves iusti-
fled in imputing our advancement to a spirit of
aggression, or to passion for political pre-
dominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached a mag
nitude and extent nearly equal TO that Of the
fir maratime power Of the earth, and exceed
i'm mat of any other. Over this great inter
est, in which not only our merchants, but all
classes of citizens, at least indirectly, are con-
cerned, it is the duty of the executive and leg
islative branches of the government to exer-
else a careful supervision, and adopt proper
measures for its protection. The policy which
| have had in view, in regard to this interest,
embraces its future as well as its present Sc
curity.
Long experience has shown that, in gener-
al, when the principal powers of Europe are
engaged In war, the rights of neutral nations
are endangered. This consideration led, in
the progress of the war Of independence, to
the formation of the celebrated confederacv of
armed neutrality, primary object of which
was, to assert the doctrine, that free ships
make free goods, except in the case of articles
contraband Of war; a doctrine which, from
the very commencement of our national being.
has been cherished idea of the statesmen of
our country. AT one period or another, every
maratIme power has, by solemn treaty stipula-
ton recognized that principle and it might
have been hoped that il would come to be uni
versally received and respected as a rule of
International lazy. But the refusal of one
power prevented this. and in the next great
war which ensued, that of the French revou-