Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-12-03

OF many Others, and the destruction of large
amount of property belonging to the railroad
company. l caused full investigation OF that
event 10 be made, and the recult shows salts
tactorily that complete responsibility for what
occurred attaches to the government Of New
Granada. 1 have, therefore, demanded of
that government, that the perpetrators of the
wrongs in question should bepunished; that
provision should be made for the families of
citizens of the United States who were killed,
with full indemnity for the property pillaged
or destroyed.
The present condition Of the Isthmus of
Panama, in so far as regards the security of
persons and property passing over it, requires
serious consideration. Recent incidents tend
TO show that the local authorities cannot be
relied on to maintain the public peace of Pan
anna, and there is just ground for apprehen-
sion that portion of tie inhabitants are med
itating further outrages, without adequate
measures for the security and protection Of
person or property having been taken, either
oy the state OF Panama, or by the general
government of New Grancda.
Under the guarantees of treaty, citizens of
the United States have, by the outlay of sew
eral millions of dollars, constructed railroad
across the Isthmus, and it has become the
main route between our Atlantic and Pacific
possessions, over which mulGtudes of our cit
lzens and vast amount of property aIe con-
stantly passiag-to the security and protec-
ton Of all which, and the continuance Of the
public advantages involved, it is impossible
for the government of the United States to be
Indifferent.
have deemed the danger of the recurrence of
scenes of awless violence in this quarter so im-
mlneRt as 10 make it my duty to station a part
Of our naval force ia the harbors Of Panama
and Asplnwali, in order to protect the persons
and property Of the citizens OF the United
States IN those ports, and to insure to them safe
passage across the Isthmus Aud il would, in
my judgment, be unwise 10 withdraw the naval
io.co now in those ports, until, by the sponan-
eous action of the republic of New Granada, or
otherwise, some adequate arrangement shall have
been made for the protection and security OF a
line OF IniefoccanIC communication important
at this tine, not TO The United States only, but
to all ottsr maritime Suites both OF Europe and
America.
Meanwhile, negotiations have been instituted
by means of a special commission, to obtain
from New Granada full indemnity for injuries
sustained by our citizens on the Isthmus, and
satisfactory security for the general interests of
the United States.
In addressing to you my last annual message,
the occasion seems 10 me an appropriate one TO
express my congratulations in view Of the peace,
greatness, and felicity which the United States
now possess and ENJOY. To point you TO the
state OF the various departments of the govern
ment, and OF all the great branches of the pub
lie service, civil and military, in order to speak
of the intelligence and the integrity which per-
vades the whole, would be to Indicate but i'm.
perfectly the administrative condition of the coun-
try, and the beneficial effect of that on the gen.
eral welfare, Nor would it suffice TO say that
the nallon Is actually at peace at home and
abroad that its industrial interests are prosperous;
that the canvas of its mariners when every
sea; aud the pillow of its husbandlnen is march,
ing steadily onward 10 the bloodIess conquest of
the continenl that cities and pOpuous States
are springag up, as if by enchantment, fom the
bosom of our western wllds, and that the cour-
ageous energy Of our people is making of these
United States the great republic OF the world
These results have not been attained without
passing through trials and perils, by experience
OF which, and thus only, nations can harden in
to manhood. Our forelahers were trained to
the wisdom which conceived, and the courage
which achieved independence, by the clrcum-
stances which surrounded them, and they were
thus made capable of the creation Of the re-
public Il deyolyed on the next generation to
consolidate the work of the revolution, to deliver
the country entirely from the influences of con-
which attached to our colonial and revolutionary
history, and to organize the practical operation
Of the constitutional and legal institutions of the
Union. 10 US, OF this generation, remains the
not less noble task of maintaining and extending
the power of the United States We have, at
length, reached that stage OF the national career
in the dangers to be encountered and the exer-
tons TO be made, are the incidents, not Of weak
ness, but of strength. In our foreign relations
we have to attemper our power 20 the less hap
| py condition of other republics in America and
TO place ourselves in the calmness and conscious
dignity of right by The side Of the greatest and
wealthiest Of the empires Of Europe. In cur
domestic relations, we have to guard against the
shock Of The discontens, the ambitions, the in
teress, and the eXuberant, and therefore, some
times irregular impulses Of opinion, or Of action,
which are the natural product of the present po-
Iitcal elevation, the seil.reliance and the rest
less spirit of enterprise Of the people Of the
United States
shall prepare to surrender the Executive trust
to my successor, and retire to private life with
sentiments of profound gratitude 10 the good
Providence which, during the period of my adj
minlsralIon, has vouchsated to carry the cOun-
try through many difficulties, domestic and for
eiga, and to enable me to contemplate the spec
tacle of amcabIe aad respectful relations be-
tween ours and all other governments, and the
establishment Of constitutional order and tran
guilty throughout the Union.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Washington, Dec. 2, 1856.