The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1865-12-14

we nave amazed the world by.Aie suppress
sion Of a civl war WHICH nas sehonght 70 be
we shall es4aSs Sp show the superiority Of our
inst;sdtions by the prompt and faithful dis.
charge of car national Obligations.
The Department of Agriculture under its
present directioa, is accomplishing much in
developing and utilizing the vast agricultural
capabilities OF the country, and for informa-
ton respecting the details ofits management
reference is made to the annual report of the
Commissioners.
have dwek thus fully on our domestic
affairs because of their transcendent impor-
lance. Under any circumstances, our great
extent OF territory and variety of climate,
producing almost everything that is neces-
sary for the wants and even the comforts of
man, make us singularly Independent of the
varying policy Of foreign powers, and protect
us against every temptation to entangling
alliances while at the present moment the
establishment of harmony will be our
best security against nations who feel
power and forget right For myself, it has
been and it will be my constant aim to pro-
mote peace and amity with all foreign ma.
lions and powers; and / have every reason
to believe that they all, without exception,
are animated by the same disposition. Our
relations with the Emperor Of China, so re-
cent in their origin, are most friendly. Our
commerce with his dominions is receiving
new developments; and it is very pleasing to
find that the government of that great en-
pire manifests satisfaction with our policy,
and reposes just confidence in the fairness
which marks our intercourse. The unbroken
harmony between the United States and the
Emperor of Russia is receiving a new sup
port from an enterprise designed to carry
telegraphic lines across the continent of
Asia, through his dominions, and SO to con-
meet US with all Europe by new channel of
intercourse. Our commerce with South
America is about to receive encouragement
by a direct line of mail steamships to the
rising Empire of Brazil. The distinguished
party of men of science who have recently
left our country to make scientific explora-
ton of the natural history and rivers and
mountain ranges of that region, have re-
ceived from the Emperor that generous well
come which was to have been expected from
his constant friendship for the United States,
and his well known zeal in promoting the
advancement of knowledge. A hope is en-
tertained that our commerce with the rich
and populous countries that border the Medi-
terranean sea may be largely increased.
Nothing will be wanting, on the part of this
government, to extend the protection of our
flag over the enterprise of ourfellow citizens.
We receive from the powers in that region
assurances ofgOod will; and it is worthy of
note, that special envoy has brought us
messages of coincidence on the death of our
late Chief Magistrate from the Rey of Tunis,
whose rule includes the old dominions of
O,rthage on the African coast
Our domestic contest, now happily ended,
has left some traces in our relations with one
at least of the great maritime powers. The
formal accordance of belligerent rights to
the insurgent States was unprecedented, and
has not been justified by the issue. But in
the systems of neutrality pursued by the
powers which made that concession, there
was marked difference. The materials Of
war for the insurgent States were furnished,
in great measure, from the workshops of
Great Britain; and British ships, manned by
British subjects, and prepared for receiving
British ornaments, sailed from the ports of
Great Britain to make war on American
commerce, under the shelter of commits
sion from the lnsurgent States. These ships,
having once escaped from British ports,
ever afterwards entered them in every part of
the world, to re6t, and so to renew their
d>predations. The consequences of this con-
duct were most disastrous to the States then
in rebellion, increasing their desoiation and
misery by the prolongation of our civil con-
test. 1t had, moreover, the effect, to great
extent, to drive the American flag from the
sea, and to transfer much of our shipping
and our commerce to the very power whose
Subjects had created the necessity for such q
change, These events took nlace, before l
was called to the administration of the gov
ont
which / am animated led me to approve the
proposal, already made, to submit the oues-
tlons which had thus arisen between the two
countries to arbitration. These questions
are OF such moment that they must have
commanded the attention of the great pow
ers, and are so interviewer with the peace
and interests of every one of them as to have
ensured an impartial decision. I regret to
inform YOU that Great Britain declined the
arbitrament, but, on the other hand, invited
as to the formation of Joint commission to
settle mutual claims between the two coun-
tries, from which those for the depredations
before mentioned should be excluded. The
proposition, in that very unsatisfactory form
has been declined.
The United States did not present the sub. |
ject as an impeachment of the good faith of |
a power which was protesting the most
friendly dispositions, but as involving cues.
tons of public law, of which the settlement |
is essential to the peace of nations; and.
though pecuniary reparation to their injured !
citizens would have followed incidentally on |
a decision against Great Britain, such com |
pensation was not their primary Object
They had higher motive, and it was in the [
interests of peace and justice to establish |
important principles of international law
The correspondence will be placed before |
you. The ground on which the British Min
ister rests his Justification is, substantially,
that the municipal law of nation, and the |
domestic interpretations of that law, are the |
of its duty as q neutral, and feel |
bound to declare my opinion, before you and |
before the world, that that justification can
not be sustained before the tribunal of ma
lions. At the same time do not advise to
any present attempt at redress by acts of
legislation. For the future, friendship be.
,ween the two countries must rest on the /
basis of mutual justice.
From the moment of the establishment of
,ur free Constitution, the civilized world'has
been convulsed by revolutions in the inter-
,sts of democracy or of monarchy; but
through all those revolutions the United
States have wisely and firmly refused t6be-
,ome propagandists of republicanism. 1t is
he only government suited to eurcondition;
nut we have never sought to impose it on
,thers; and we have consistently followed
he advice of Washington to recommend it
,pIv hv the corefiIl ,,re servation and nr,,fent |