Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-22

of a small or weak towards a great and power
ful nation, dOOms the former 20 be The satellite
of the latter.
Against the islsidious w;les Of foreign influence
Il conjure yon 10 believe me. fellow. clizeas,)
the Jealousy Of free people ought a. be constant
" awake: since history and ex perience prove,
that foreign influence Is one of the most baueiul
foes of Republican Government But that jeal
ousy to be useful, must be impartial else 1t be
comes the instrument of the very influence 10 be
avoided instead of defense against IL EXces-
sive partiality for one foreign nation, and exces
siye dislike for another, cause those whom they
actuate 10 see danger only on one side. ami serve
20 veil and even second the arts OF influence on
the other. Red patriots. who may resist the in
trigues Of the fayorite, are liable 70 become sus-
pected ard odious; while its tools and dupes
usurp the applause aud confidence Of the people.
to surrender their interests
The great rule Of conduct for US in regard 10
foreign nations, i, in extending commercial
relations, 10 have with them as little political
connection possible. SO far We have
already formed engagements. let them be fulfilled
with perfect good faith. Here let Is stop.
Europe has set of primary interests, which
To u have none, CT very remote relation. Hence
she must be engaged in frequent controversies,
the causes OF which are essentially foreign to our
concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwIse in
to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the
ordinary vicissitudes Of her politics, or the ordi-
nary combinations aud collisions of her friend
ships or enmties.
Our detached and distant situation invites and
enables Us to pursue different course. Ii we
remain people, under efficient Govern
ment, the period is not far off. when We may defy
material injury from external annoyance; when
NAV take such an attitude will cause the
neutrality, We may at any time resolve upon, TO
be scrupulously respected; when beligerent ma
tons, under the impossibility of making acquis
tons upon Us, will not lightly hazard the giving
Us provocaton; when we may choose peace or
war, as our Interest, guided by justice, shall
/ counsel.
! Why forego the advantages of so peculiar .
/ situatiOnl Why quit our own 10 stand upon for
eign ground7 Why. by Intervening our destiny
with that OF any part of Europe, entangls our
/ peace and prosperity in the tolls OF European am
btion, rivalship, interest, humor or capricer
! 1t our policy to steer clear of permanent
alliances with any portion of the foreign world /;
so far, ! mean. as at liberty to do 1T
/ for let me not be understood as capable of
patronizing iniideity to existing engagements /
hold the maxim no less applicable to public than
TO private affairs, that honesty is always the best
policy. | repeat it, therefore, let those engage
mehts be observed in their genuine But,
/ in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be un-
wise To extend them.
Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suit
able establishments, on respectable defensive
posture. may safely trust TO temporary ALI
ances for extraordinary emergencies.
Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations,
are recommended 10y policy, humanity and inter
est. But even our commercial policy should hold
an equal and impartial hand. neither seeking nor
granting exclusive favors or preferences: consult
i ing the natural course Of things dfusing and G-
yersilying by gentle means the streams of com
merce, but forcing nothing; establishing, with
powers disposed, in order TO give trade stable
course, to define the rights of our merchants, and
to enable the Government TO support them, con-
ventonal rules of intercourse, the best that pres
ent circumstances and mutual opinion will per
NIT, but temporary and liable to be from time to
time abandoned or varied, as experience and cir
cumstances shall dictate; constantly keeping III
view, that it Is folly in one nation to look for dis
interested fayors from another; that it must pay
with portion of It's independence for whatever
it may accept under that character; that, by such
acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of
1 having given equivalents for nominal favors, and
yet OF being reproached with ingratitude for not
giving more. There can be no greater error than
to expect or calculate upon real favors from ma
ton TO nation. Ii is an Illusion, which experience
must cure which just pride ought TO discard.
In Offering to you, my countrymen these conn
! sells of an old and aifectiOnate friend, dare not
| hope they will make the strong and lasting i'm
preston | could wish; that they will control the
usual current of the passions, or prevent our Ea-
ton from running the course, which has hitherto
marked the destiny of nations. But if | may
even hatter myself, that they may be productive
of some partial benefit. some occasional good
that they may now and then recur to moderate
! the fury of party spirit. to against the mis-
chiefs OF foreign intrigue, to guard against the
lmp0stureS OF pretended patriotism; this hope will
be full recompense tor the Solicitude for your
welfare by which they have been dictated.
How far in the discharge of my official duties
! | have been guided by the principles which have
been deineated, the public records and other evil
dences of my conduct must witness to you and TO
the world. TO myself, the assurance of my own
conscience is, that have at least believed myself
to be guided by them.
In relation to the still subssting war in Eu-
rope, my proclamation of the Did of April, 1893,
is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your APP
proving voice, and that of your representatives
III both houses of Congress. the spirit of that
measure has continually governed me, unin-
huenced by any attempts to deter or divert me
from il.
After deliberate examination, with the aid of
the best lights could obtain, | was well satisfied
| that our country, under all the circumstances OF
the case. had a right to take, and WAS bouhd in
duty and interest to take, neutral position.
/ Having taken il, deter mined, so far as should
depend upon me- To maintain IT with moderation,
! perseverance aud hrmness.
The considerations which respect the right to
hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this oc-
casion to detail | will only observe, that. &C
cording to my understanding of the matter, that
right. 50 far from being denied by any OF the
belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted
by all
The duty of holding neutral conduct may he
inferred, SithOut anything more, from the obi
CATION which justice and humanity impose on ev-
cry nation. in cases in which it is free to act 70
maintain inviolate the relations of peace and am
ity towards other nations
F., The inducements of interest, for observing that
conduct, will best be referred to your rehec-
ton and experience With me, a predominant
motive has been to endeavOr TO gain time to our
country 10 settle aud mature its vet recent insti
tutiOns, and TO progress, without interruption. ~
that degree of strength and consistency which If
necessary TO give it. humanity speaking, the com
mand of It's own fortunes
Though In reviewing the incidents of my ad
mnStratIOn, / am unconscious OF Intentional er
rOr l am, nevertheless, too sensible of my de
iects not To think IT probable that / NAV have
committed MANY errors. Whatever they may
be, | fervently beseech the Almighty to avert OF
mitigate the evils to which they may tend
shall also carry with me the hope that my coun
try viii never TO view them with indulc ence
aud that after forty five wears OF my life dedica
ted TO it. service with upright zeal. the fauIt