Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Fsllo,O 0hsaas Of he Senate AID House Of |
Representatives 4
In the midst Of unprecedented political
troubles we have cause Of great gratitude 10
God iot unusual good heallhnnd most ebund-
ant harvests. You will not be surprised TO
learn that In the peculiar exigenees OF the
times our intercourse with foreign nations
has been attended with profound solicitude,
chiefly turning upon our own domestic at
falm.
rus RzBELLIox AND FORRIsS INTERFEREECE
A disloyal portion Of the American peo-
pie have, during the whole gear, been engag-
ed in an attempt to divide and destroy the
Union. A nation which endurea iactiOus
domestic divisions is exposed to disrespect
abroad, and one party, or both, is sure soon
or or later, 10 invoke foreign Intervention.
Nations thus tempted TO interfere are not al
ways able 10 resist the counsels OF seeming
expedieney and ungenerous ambition, al
though measures adopted under such infu-
ences seldom fail 10 be unfortunate and inju-
/ irous 20 those adopting them.
The disloyal citizens Of tha Uuited States
who have offered the ruin Of our country In
| reward for the aid and comfort which they
i have luWOAGu b1Iudu4 "nhNu NClN4NUu ACoa
patronage and encouragement than they
probably expected. IfitWere just to suppose
/ as the Insurgents have seemed to assume,
that foreign nations in this case, disregarding
all moral, social and treaty obligations, would
act solely and seldshly for the most speedy
restoration Of commerce, including spec
tally, the acquisition Of cottoni these
nations appear as yet not to have seen
their way TO their object more directly
or clearly through the destruction than
through the preservation of the Union. Il
we could dare TO believe that foreign nations
are actuated by no higher principle than this
am quite sure a second argument could be
made to show that they could reach their
aim more readily and easily by aiding to
crush this rebellion than by giving encour-
agement 70 the principal lever relied on by
it, The exciting OF foreign nations to hos
tility against us as already intimated,
is the embarrassment Of commerce
These nations, however, not improbebly saw
from the first that it was the Union which
made as wen our foreign as ou- domestic
commerce. They can scarcely fail to per
ceive that the effort for disunion produces the
existing difficulty, and that one stTcng ma
tion promises more darable peace, aid more
extensive, valuable and reliable commerce.
than the same nation broken into hostile
fragments. 1t is not my purpose tc review
our discussions with foreign States, because
whatever might be their wishes, or disposi'
tions, the integrity Of our country end the
stability of our Government mainly depends
not upon them, but upon the loyalty, patriot
ism, virtue and intelligence OF the American
people. The correspondence itself, With the
ususal reservation, is herewith submitted.
venture to hope it viii appear that We have
practiced prudence sndliberality towards for
eign powers sYertiug causes Of irri
tation, and With frmness maintaining oul
own rights and honor. Since, however, it Ii
apparent that here, as in every other State
foreign dangers necessarily attend domestic
difficulties, I reeonmend that adequate anC
ample measures be adopted for maintaining
the public defenees on every sidei while IN
der this general recommendation provision
| for defendind our coast line readily occurs tc
the mind