Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-06
Presidents Message.

Er6Slu0QC 3 message.
Fellor- Citizens ofb Senate aud House
Of Representatives;
In the midst Of unprecedented political
troubles, we have cause Of great gratitude
10 Gop for unusual good health aud abund-
ant harvests
You will not be surprised to learn, that
in tho peculiar exigences Of the times our
intercourse with foreign nations has been
attended with profound solicilude, chiefly
turning upon our own domestic affairs.
THE REBELLION AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.
A disloyal portion Of the American peo-
pie have, during the whole year. been en-
gagged in an attempt to divide and destroy
the Union. A nation which endures fac
tious domestic divisions is exposed TO dis
respect abroad, and one party or both, is
sure, sooner or later, 10 invoke foreign inter.
vcntion. Nations thus tempted to interfere
are not always able to resist the consels of
seeming expediency and upgenerous am
bition, although measures adopted under
such influences seldom fail to bc unfortuu.
ate and injurious TO those adopting them.
The disloyal citizens Of the United States
who have offered the ruin Of our country in
reward for the aid and comfort which they
have invoked abroad, have received less
patronage and encouragement than they
probably expected. If It were Just 10 sup
pose, as the insurgents have seemed TO as
sumo, that foreign nations in this case, dis.
regarding all moral, social and treaty OBJ
legations, would act solely and selfshly fol
the most speedy restoration Of commerce
including specially, the acquisition of cotton
these nations appear as yet not 10 have seen
their way to their object moro directly OF
clearly through the destruction than thro
the preservation of the Union. If We could
dare to believe that foreign nations are act.
uated BY no higher principle than this am
quite sure second argument could be
made TO show that they could reach their
aim more readily and easily by aiding to
crash this rebellion than by giving encour-
agement TO the principal lever relied on by
il. The exciting offoreign nations TO hos
tility against US, as already intimated, is
tho embarrassment of commerce. These
nations, however, not improbably saw from
as well our foreign as our domestic COM
merce. They can scarcely fail to perceive
that the effort for disunion produces the ex-
isting difficulty, aud that one strong nation
promises more durable peace, and more
extensive, valuable and reliable commerce
than tho same nation broken in hostile
fragments. 1t is not my purpose to review
our discussions with foreign States, because
whatever might be their wishes, or disposi-
tions, the integrity of our country and the
stability Of our Government mainly de-
pends not upon them, but upon the loyalty,
patriotism, virtue and intelligence Of the
American people. The correspondence IL
self, with the usual reservation, is herewith
submitted. venture to hope it will ap
pear that VIC have practiced prudence anC
iiberality toward foreign powers avertins
causes Of irritation, and with firmness main
tanning our own rights and honor. Since
however, it's apparent that here, as 10 ever,
other State, foreign dangers necessarily at
tend domestic difficulties, recommend tha
adequate and ample measures be adopted
for maintaining the public defences on ever
side; while under this general recommend
atiou provision or..defending our coast line
readily occures to the mind.
OUR DEFENcEs.
also, in the same connection, ask tn
attention Of Congress to our great lakes an,
rivers. 1t is believed that some forti6ca
tions and depots of arms and munition,
with harbor and navigation improvements
at we'll selected points upon these, woul,
'be Of great Importance to the national de
fense and preservation. l ask attention l.
the views of the Secretary of War, express
cd in his report upon the same general sub
ject deem it of Importance that the 10y
al regions of east Tennessee and Wester
North Carolina should be connected wit
Kentucky and other faithful parts of tb
Union by railroad therefore recommen
as military measure, that Congress pre-
vide for the construction of such a road a
speedily as possible. Kentucky will NJ
doubt cooperate, and through her Legis
lature make the most judieious selection o
the line. The northern TERMINUS must con
meet with some existing railroad, and wheth
er the route shall be from Lexington O
Nlcholasville to Cumberland Gap, or from
Lebanon to the Tennessee line, in the di
rectlon of Knoxville, or some still differen
line, can easily be determined. Keutuck
and the General Government cooperating
the work can be completed in very shoI
time, and when done, it will be not only {
vast present usefulness, but also an ayaiIs
bic permanent improvement, worth its cos
in all the future.
ra FOREIGN TREATIES.
Some treaties designed chiefly for the il
terests Of commerce, and having no gray
political importance, have been negotiated
and will be submitted to the Senate fc
their consideration. Although we hav
failed to induce some Of the commerci,
powers to adopt desirable melioration f
the Figor Of maritime war, we have far re
moved all tho obstacles from tbs way
their humane reform, except such as ar
merely of temporary and accidental occu
renee. invite your attention to the COZ
rcspondeuce between her Britanic Majesty
Minister, accredited to this Government
and the Secretary Of State, relative to Ii
detention Of the British ship Perthsbite, /
june last, by tho United States stearne
Massachusetts, for supposed breach Of ID
blockade. As this detention was occasion
cd by an obvious Misrepresentation Of ID