Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FellOt, CitiEsHs Of the Senate
aud House Of RePresenfatises


la the midst of unprecedented
political troubles, we have cause
OF great gratitude to God for un-
usual good health, aud most abun-
dant harveStS.
You will not be surprised to
learn that in the peculiar exig
encies OF the times, our intercourse
with foreign nations has been at
tended with profound solicitude,
CHIEFLY turning upon our OWN do
mestic afillrs. 4 dlsloyal por-
ton ofthe American people have,
during the whole year, Leen en-
gagged In an ottenptt to divide and
destroy the Union. A nation
which endures tactlous domestic
divisions is exposed to dIsrespect
abroad, and one party, or both,
is sure, sooner or later. to provoke
foreign intervention. Nations thus
tempted TO Interfere are not always
able 10 resist the counSels OF seem
ing exped. .ency and un-enerOus
ambition, although measures
adopted under su, h influences sci
dom fail to lie unfortunate anG
injurious to those adopting them.
The disIoyal citizens OF the Uni
ted Sites who have offered the
rum oi our country in reward for
the aid and comfort which the
have invoked abroad, have receiv-
ed less patronage and encourage
ment than theyprohahly expe ted.
Ii II wege just to suppose, as
the ms Irgents have seemed II as
sumo, that ioyelgn nations IN this
case disre garding all moral, social
and treaty obligations, would act
solely and seiiishlv for lhe most
speedy restoration OF commerce,
lnC ludIng. specially, the auqulsl-
ton OF cotton, the e nations ap
pear yet not - have seen their
way TO Their object more dire, tiy
or closely through the de>tru ton
than through the preservation oi
the Tn on. 1t we could dare to
.elieve that foreign nations are
actHated by no h CHER principle
than th :, am quite sure a second
argument could lie made to show
inem that they could reach their
aim more read ~ and " by
aiding 10 crush tins REBELLION,
than by giving enc0urageiI ent 10
the principal power relied Oh Tor
the exc ting oi torelga nations 10
host Ity against Us as already In
IN the embarrassment OF
CONNER e. Tho e nations, how
ever. not Improbahly saw Iron
the first that It was the Union
Which made our ioreiga as well
rs our domestic com.
uerce. They can scarcely tail
- perceive that the effort ior DIS
umon produces the existing d Iii I
GUILTY, and TINT one strong nation
promises more durable peace and 7
a more extensive, valuable and t
rel.aLle commerce thln can tie /.
same nation broken Into hostile /
fragments.
1t is not my purpose to review
our discussion with foreign |
States. because whatever might |
he their wishes or disposition, the
Integrity OF our country and tie
stability of our Government,
mainly depend not upon them,
but upon the LOYALTY, pltriotisr,
virtue end Intelligence OF the
Aneri an people. The CORES
pondence itself. with the usual
reservations, is herewith submit
ted. ] ventu e to hope it will ap-
pear that We have prscticed pru-
dence and lIberalIty towards for
eign powers, averting causes OF
irritation, and with hrmneSs
our own ii 5hts
and honor. Since, however,
it is apparent that here, as
in evety other State, foreign dan
gers necessarily attend domestic
difficulties. recommend that ad
equate and ample measures be
adopted for maintaining the pub
lie delenses on every side.
While under this general re-
commenda,ion provision for de-
Tending our coast line readily I
occurs to the mind, |, also, in
the same connection, ask the at
tention Of Congress to our gaeat
lakes and rivers. 1t is believed !
that some Notifications and de-
pots OF arms and munitions, with l
harbor and navigation improve.
me ntS, at we'll selected points on {
'hese would be Of great imPor