Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-12-16


the measure OF its duty as neutral, aud
feel bound to declare my opinion before
you and before the world; that that iustif-
cation cannot be sustained before the tri-
buhal Of nations. At the same time do
not advise to any present attempt at re-
dress by acts oil legislation. For the fu-
ture, friendship between the two countries
must rest on the basis of mutual justice.
From the moment of the establishment
OF our free Constitution, the civilized world
has been conyulsed by resolutions in the
interests of democracy or of monarchy
but through all those revolutions the
United States have wisely and firmly re-
fused TO become propagapdists or republi-
canism. 1t is the only government suited
to our condition; but we have never sought
to impose it on others and we have con.
sisteutIy followed the advice of Washing
ton to recommend it only by the careful
preservation and prudent use Of the bless
ing During all the intervening period
the policy OF European Powers aud Of
the United States has, on the whole, been
harmonious Twice indeed rumors of the
invasion Of some parts of America to the
interest of monarchy have prevailed; twice
my predecessors have had an occasion
to announce the views of this nation in
respect to such interference. On both
occasions the rGmonstrance Of the United
States was respected from deep convic-
ton on the part Of EuroE can Governments
that the system Of non interference and
mutual abstinence from propagandism was
the true rule for the two hemisphere
Since times we have advanced i'll wealth
and power but we retain the same put.
pose to leave tho nations of Europe to
choose their own dynasties and form their
own systems of government. This con.
sistent moderation may justly demand
corresponding moderation. We should
regard it as great calamity to ourselves
to the cause OF good government and to
the peace of the world should any Euro.
pean Power challenge the American peo-
pie as it were to the defence of republic =
ism against foreign Interference. We can
not iOresee and are unwilling 10 consider
what opportuDitis s might present them
selves what comb. nations might offer to
protect ourselves against designs iDimical
to our form of government. The United
States desire to act in the future as they
have ever acted heretofore; they never will
be driven from that course but by the ag.
gression Of Eur opean Powers; aud We rely
on the wisdom and justice oil those Pow
ers to respect the system Of non.interier-
ence which has go long been sanctioned
by time and which 10y its good results,
has approved itself to both continents,
The cores spondence between the United
States aud France in reference 10 questions
which have become subjects OF discussion
between the 10 Governments will at a
proper time be laid before congress.
When on the organization OF our govern
ment under the Constitution the President
of the Uniled States delivered his inaugu
raj address to the two Houses of Congress
be said to them and through them to the
country and to mankind that "the preser-
vation Of the sacred fire OF liberty and
the destiny of the republican model of
government are justly considered deeply
perhaps as finally staked ON the expert
ment intru,ted to tho American people.
And the House of Representatives answer.
ed Washington by the voice of Madison
"We adore the invisible hand which has
led the American people through so many
difficulties to cherish q conscious respon-
siblity for the destiny of republican lib
erty." More than seventy-six years have
gIidsd away since these words were spo-
ken the United States have passed through
severer trials than were foreseeu; and
now at this new epoch in our existence as
one naticn with our Union purified with
our sorrows aud strepg thened by coufict
and established by the virtue Of the people
the greatness of the occasion invites US
once more 10 repeat with solemnity the
pledges of our fathers 10 hold ourselves
answerable before our lellow-men for the
success Of the republican form of govern
ment. Experience has proved its sufi-
cency in peace and in war; it has vindca-
ted its authority through dangers, and
Affections and sudden and terrible emer.
gencies which would have crushed any
system that had been less firmly fixed in
the heart Of the people. At the inaugura-
tian of Washington the foreign relations
for the country were few and its trade was
depressed by hostile regulations; now all
the civilized nations Of the globe welcome
our commerce and their Governme nts pro-
iess towards US amity. Then our country
felt Its way hesitatugly along an untried
path with States so little bound together
By rapid means of communication as to be
hardly known to one another and with
traditions extending over very few years
now intercourse between the States is swift
and intimate the experience of centuries
has been crowded into few generations
and has created en- intense indestructible
nationality. Then our jurisdiction did
not reach beyond the inconvenient bound
aries Of the territory which has achieved
, independence now through occasions o
lands first colonized by Spain and France
the country has acquired a more complies
character and has for its natural limits lht
! chain OF Lakes, the Gulf Of Mexico, ant
on tho east and the west the two grea
/ oceans. Other nations were wasted by
. civil wars for ayes before they could estub
lish for themselves the necessary degre,
v of unity the latent conviction that Ou