American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1865-12-16

port from the telegraphic enterprise, which
is to connect the two Governments, as also
are our South American relations Our
domestic contests, now happily ended, has
left some traces, with one at least, of the
great maratime powers. The formal ac-
cordance of belgerent rights to the insur-
gent States was unprecedented and has not
been justified by the issue, but 10 the sys.
tens of neutrality pursued by the powers
which made that concession, there was a
marked ifference--materials of war were
furnished for the insurgents from the work.
shops of Great Britain, and British ships,
manned by British subjects, and prepared
for receiving British armaments, sailed
from British ports to make war upon our
commerce under shelter OF commissions from
the insurgents. the result of which was most
disastrous to the insurgent States by in.
creaslng their misery and desolaton, by
prolongDg the war. and did much to drive
our flag from the seas, and transfer much
OF our shipping and commerce to those pow.
ers whose subjects had created this necessi.
ty. His sincere desire for peace had led
him to approve propositions already made
to submit the questions to arbitration -
They would have commanded the attention
OF all the great powers, and are so inter-
woven with the peace and interest OF every
one of them, as to have enabled an impair
tail decision. Great Britain declined the
and invited US to JOINT com.
mission to settle mutual claims, from which
those for these depredatious were excluded,
which was declined. The United States
did not present the question as an impeach.
nent of the faith of power which profess.
ed the most friendly disposition, but as in.
voIvng great questions of law essential to
The peace of nations. Apecnniary compen-
'ation was not the primary object 1t was
% the interest of peace and justice to es-
abli,h the principles Of international law.
The English Minister rests bis grounds for
on the grounds that the mimic.
'al law of nation, and the domestic inter-
'retatons of that law are the measures of
he duty as neutral ; but be felt bound to
eclare before the world that that justifca-
ion could not be sustained before the tri-
unal of nations, but would not advise any
ttempts at redress by legislation, as the
''"'S vi tuC WV SOuulllCo uluSt
est on the basis of mutual justice.
The correspondence between the United
tates aud France, which have become sub.
cts Of discussion between the two Govern.
ents, will be laid before you at the proper
me.
At the organization of our Government,
'ashingtor, In his address to Congress
i'd that "the preservation Of the sacred
'e OF liberty and the destiny Of repuJli.
IN model of Government are considered
finally staked on the experiment en'rust.
to the American people;" and the House
Representatives answered him through
adson: I'VE adore the Invisible Hand
st has led the American people through
many difficulties to cherish conscious
sponsiblity for the destiny of Republican
'erty" More than seventy years have
ssed since then, and the nation has passed
rough Severer trials than were foreseen,
d now, at this new epoch 10 our existence
rifed by sorrow and strengthened by
n6ict aud established by the virtue of
, people, the greatness of the occasion
Iites Us once more to solemnly repeat
ese words. aud hold ourselves answerabe
the success Of our Government; and
all the success that has atten-
us, who says be will not join with me
the prayer that the Invisible Hand which
led US through the cloud that lowered
r our p,th, will so guide US onward to
ceful resolution of affection, that we OF
J day may be able to transmit our great
eritsuce of State Governments in their
ITS OF the General Government in its
Die Constitutional vigor to our posterity.
they to theirs through countless gene
ons.
Sigued) ANDREW JOHNSON.
v nrrrnnno., nnn A 1QeS