The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-06

lions are recommended by policy. humanity.
| anu interest But even our commercial mi
.y shouiu hoio an equal and impartial
manu- neither seeking nor granting excIu
siVe laVors or preferences; consulting the
natural course of things; diffusing and al
VersifYing by gentle means the streams n,
ooihherce, but forcing nothing; establish
sSwth powers SO disposed. in order IN
give trade stable course, to define the
IisnIs vi our merchants and to enable the
ru,es neh. nf nj 10 support them, conventional
lures t oi intercourse, the best that present
circumstances and mutual opinion will per
Mlt, put temporary and liable to be from
@ tiiae 10 time abandoned or varied as expert
ence and circumstances shall dictate. ron
stantly keeping in view that II is foIIv jn
one nation to look for dislnterested fayors
from another; that 1t must pay with a nor
@ tIon OF lts independence for whatever 1t
may accept under that character: that NV
such acceptance 1t may place itself I'm the
condition OF having given equivalents for
nominal favors, and yet Of being reproached
win lhgrautude for not giving more. There
can De no greater error than to expect or
calculate upon real favors from nation 10
nation. 1t is an illusion which experience
card. " ~
In offering to you. my countrymen. these
couhseis or an old and affectionate friend I
care not hope they will make the strong
ana ana lasting impression l could wlsh-that
passions or prevent our nation from run
nlng the course which has hitherto marked
tne destiny OF nations. But If I NAV even
natter myself that they may be productive
oI some partial benefit. some occasional
good-that they may now and then recur m
moderate the fury of party spirit, TO warn
against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue 10
suaru against the impostures OF pretended
patrlotlsm-this hope will be full RECON-
pense for the solicitude for your welfare bv
"nlch they have been dictated
HoW FAR in the discharge of nv official
~uuties ~ l nave been guided by the principles
which have been delineated the public rec
ords and other evidences of nv conduct
must witness to you and to the world To
myself, the assurance of my own conscience
is that l nave at least believed myself to be
guided by them.
In relation to the still subsisting war in
Europe my proclamation of the 22d Of April,
i7S3, Is the index to my plan. Sanctioned
by your approving voice and by that of
your representatives in both houses of con-
gress the spirit of that measure has con-
tinually governed me, uninfiuenced by any
attempts to deter or divert me from ii.
AFTER deliberate examination. with the aid
or the best lights could obtain was well
satisfied that our country, under all the cir
cumstances of the case had right to take
and was bound in duty and interest to take.
neutral position Having taken it, | de-
term1ned as far as should depend upon me
10 maintain 1t with moderation, perseyer-
ance, and flrmness.
The considerations which respect the right
TO hold this conduct 1t is not necessary on
this occasion to detail. I will only observe
that according to my understanding of the
matter, that right, SO far from being de-
MED by any of the belligerent powers has
been virtually admitted by all
The duty of holding a neutral conduct may
De inferred, without anything more from
the obligation which justice and humanity
impose on every nation, in cases in which
1t is free to act, to maintain inviolate the
itt IL IT.
nations.
The inducements Of interest for observing
that conduct will best be referred to your
own reflections and experience. With me a
predominant motive has been to endeavor to
gain time to our country to settle and ma
ture its yet recent institutions and to
progress without interruption to that de-
gree OF strength and consistency which is
necessary to give it. humanity speaking. the
command or Its own fortunes.
lhough In reviewing the incidents of nv
administration I am unconscious Of in
tentlonai error. | am nevertheless too sensi-
Die OF my defects not TO think II probable
that may have committed many errors
Whatever they may be. l fervently beseech
the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils
TO which they may tend. | shall also carry
with me the hope that my country will never
cease TO view them with indulgence and
that, after forty years of nv life dedf
Gated to its service With an upright zeal,
the faults of incompetent abilities will he
consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon
be to the mansions OF rest
Relying on its kindness in this as IN o.bo-
things, and actuated by that feryent 1--we
toward 1t which is so natural to a man who
views IN IT the native soil of himself and
his progenitors for several generatinns
anticipate with pleasing expectation that
retreat in which l promise myself 10 raaI;1s
without alloy the sweet enjoyment Of mar
taxing IN the midst OF my fellow citizens The
benign influence of good laws under a tHe
goyernment-the ever-favorite object of nv
heart, and the happy reward as I trust -,
our mutual cares. labors. and dangers. u
United States, September II I7sS 'O"'