Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-12-10


bors of ,anama and Aspinwall, in order to
protect ne persons and property of the citi-
zens of he United States in those ports. and
to insuc to them safe passage across the 18th
mus And it would, in my iudgment. be IN
wise D withdraw the naval force now in those
por.s until, by the spontaneous action of the
! Renablic of New Granada, or otherwise, some
ADEQUATE arrangement shall have been made
for the protection and security of a line cf in
! te,oceanic communication SO important at this
time not to tho United Sss..ss only but to all
other maritime States both Europe and Amer
ica.
Meanwhile negotiations have been institu-
ted by means of special commission, to OBJ
tain from New Granada full indemnity for
Injuries sustained by our citizens on the 18th
nus, and satisfactory security for the general
Interests of the Gritcd States.
In addressing to you my last annual mes
age, the occasion seems to 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
poipt you to the state of the various depart
merits of the government. and of all the great
branches of the public service. civil and mill
the integrity which pervades the whole, would
be to indicate but imperfectly the administra-
tive condition of the country, and the bcnef-
cial effects of that on the general welfare
Nor would 1t snffien TO cay that the naiinn is
actually at peace at home and abroad that
It's industrial interests are prosperous; that the
canvas of its mariners whitcns every sea; and
the plough Of its husbandmen is marching
steadily onward to the bloodlcss conquest of
the continent; that cities and populous States
are springing up, if by. enchantment from
the bosom of our western wilds, and that the
courageous 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
| the experience of which, and thus only, ma
tions can harden into manhood. Our FORE
| fathers were trained to the wisdom which con-
ceivcd, and the courage which achieved indie
pcndence. by the circumstances which sur
| rounded them, aud they were thus made capa-
bic of the creation of the republic II deyol-
we'd on the next generation to consolidate the
work of the revolution. to deliver the country
entirely from the influences of conflicting tran =
satlantic partialites antipathics. which at
tached to our colonial and revolutionary histo-
ry. and to organize the practical operation of
the constitutional and legal institutions of the
| Union.
| less noble task of maintaining and executing
/ the power of the United States We have at
! length reached that stage of the national ca
recr in which the dangers to be ercountered,
andthe exertions to be made. are the incidents,
not of weakness but of strength. In our for
! eign reiatins We have tc attempcr err power to
the less happy condition of other republics in
| An erica, and to place ourselves in the calm
ness and conscious dignity ofright by the side
oe the greatest and wealthicst { the empires OF
! Europe.
| In our domestic relations, We have. to guard
/ against the shock of the discontents the ambi-
tions the interests, and the cxubt rant. and.
! therefore. sometimes irregular impulses OF
! opinion, of action. which are the natural
product of the present political elevation. the
self-reliance and the restless spirit of en:erpri
Sc of the people of the United States
[ L shall prepare to surrender the Execntivt
trust to my successor, and return to private
| life with sentiments of profound gratitude tc
the good Providence which during the period
of my administration, has vouchsafed to carry
the country throu yh many difficulties, domestic
an,7 foreign aud to enable me to contemplate
the spectacle of amicable and respectful rela-
| tons between ours and all other governments
and The establishment of constitutional order
and tranquility throughout the Union
| FRANKLIN PIERCE
/ WAsHINGToN, Dec 2 1856
|