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31st Congress Special Session Cong. Globe 1 (1851)

handle is hein.congrec/conglob0031 and id is 1 raw text is: APPENDIX
TO TIE CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE.

31ST CONG ..... 2ND SFss.                             Message of the President.                            NEw SR~ms' .....No. 1.
Flos It th, Cr- i,,iit'ir -f tire A.ErstNTo t   CO,)-- j rhtv onght to have a national, as well as a per-  such citizen will also deprecate useless irritation
Ulu*asd ,ri iiL cop  e t -r tieo. tA ,hail print evcall sons al  indiidual, application. 'We should act  among the several members of the Union, and all
III maand  -lrll opl-* lo t , u. trl-  of 'upplau  hn
WhI. nnloilb,erhl within a rasnable  a by nhe  towards other nations as we wish them to act to-  reproach and crinmination tending to alienate one
tu at Januarn-14 ti complete colies. The Ap'tix  wards us; and justice and conscience should form  purtin of the country from another. Thebeauty
will onlaill th;' Preihldllt'. 3-sas-, the tb'jsrt-oi tte  tile rule of conduct between governments, histead  of our system of governament consists, and its
ticeads i th tit [ep~astaie,.s. a nd 0.p ilplectiof t|he  [ iia-
herb oh' hait |llou-.f' ci' ourse-, re,.-d t thineehres.  of were power, self-interest, or the desire of ag-  safety and durability must consist, in avoiding
'fie- prniee llr till, %'e-Aioi area, toll=' e  l randizeinent. To maintain a strict neutrality in tmutual collisions, and encroachments, aid in the
For snito in wIth ci'ier--mislal Gtobe ....... l 50  forei-a wars, to cultivate friendly relations, to re-  regular separate action of all, while each is revolv-
For se,.o -V .i tept d tr III................. I 09  procate eery noble and generous act, and to  ing in its own distinct orbit.
For~~prfri                                      allyl andl scuulul lever treat Iboh..........r0
For ea I pie e eitlLer, r part ofboth....                      and scrpulously every treaty   The Cofstitntton has made it the duty of the
obligation-these are the duties which woe  to  President to take care that the laws be faithfully
other States, and b the performance of which  executed. In a Goternment like ours, in which
ME S S A GE                      we best entitle ourselves to like treatment from  all latsare passed by a majority of the represents-
(I 'rue.                    them; or if that, in any ease, be refused, we can  tires of the people, and these representatives are
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.                eifor,-e our own rights -ith justice and a clear  chosen for such short periods, that any injurinus
c conscience,                                   or obnoxious law call very, soon be repealed, it
Fdllo'-rilizens of rte Senate,       *           In our domestic policy, the Constitution -will he  would appear unlikely that any great numbers
andowtiiztl of the Senaeo. h:        Diy gtide; and in questions of doubt, I shall look  should he found ready to resist thoe execution of
slid of the Hlouse of lRepresenataires:  for' its interpretation to thejudicial decisions of that  the laws. Bit it must be borne in mind that the
Being suddenly called, in the midst of the last  tribunal which was established to expound it, and  countiy is extelsive, that there may be local in-
Ressiuo of Cao r'es, hb  a laiiful dispensation of  to the usage of the Government, sanctioned by the I terests'or prejudices rendering a law odious in one
Divine Pro% deuce, to die responsible station which  acquiescence of the country. I regard all its pro-  part, which is not s) in another, and that the
I now hold, I contented inyselfwith such couliitu-  visions as equally binding. In all its parts it is the  ithoughtless and in-onsiderate, misled by their pas-
nicaitns io the Legislature as the exigency of the  will of the people, expressed in the most solemn i sinus, or their imaginations, may be induced madly
moment seemed to require. The country was      form, and the constituted authorities, are but I to resist such laws as they disapprove. Such per-
sltrouded in mourning for the loss of its venerated  agents to carry that will into effect. Every power 1, sons should recollect that, without law, there can
Chief Magistrate, atid all hearts wore peietrated  which it has _;ranted is to be exercised for'the pub- I be no real practical hiberty; thcit, when law is
with grief. Neither the time nor the occasion up-  lic good; hut-no pretence of utility, no honiest, coni- 1 trampled under foot, tvranny rules, whether it ap-
Ieared to require or to jtwif';, on iay part, any  vietin, even, of what Inight be expedient, canjus-  pears in toe form of a iilhary despotism or of
gt.aeral expression of politic Ipinions, orany an-  tify the assumption of any polwer not granted. upoplar violence. The law is the only sure pro-
noueelit of the princilles whielh Nvouldg4g;eru  Tfie powers conferred upon the Government and  teetion of the weak,and the only efficient restraint
me in the discharge of the duties to the perform-  their distribution to the seteral departnients, are uponthe stronZ. When iniptartiallynidfaithfully
ance of which I had been so unexpectedly called,  as eleirly expres-sed in that sacred instromeat as  administered, none is beneath its protection, and
I trust, therefore, that it nitt,  ot he deeinad in-  tme imperfection of human lanhmuage will allow; and  none abaove its control. You, gentlemen, and the
ap propriate, ifl a-ail inysell of this opportuni  I deet it say first dutty, not to question its wi-  cotntry may be assured,that to the utnost of my
of tie reasieniliing of Congress to make known  don, add to its provisions, evade its requirements,  ability, atd to the extent of the power vested in
my seiiti] eiil, in a general manner, in regard to  or nullify its coramand.               1 me, I'shall at all times, and in all places, take care
the policy wili'It Ought to be pursued by the Gov-  Upon'you, fellow-citizens, as the representatives  that the laws be faithfully exeouted. III the dia-
eriment, both in its intercourse with loreiga na- l of the States and the people, is wisely devolved the  charge of this duty, solemnly imposed upon me
teons, and its luioagenient and administration of' legislative power. I shall con)phy xiith iy duty,  by the Coastitution, and by my oath of office, I
internal al'airs.                              in laying before you, froni time to time, any in-  shall shrink from no respoisitiuity, and shall en-
Natios, like individuals in a state of nature, ' foration calculated to enable you to diseherge  deavor to meet events as they may arise, with
are equal and independeit, possessing certaiu  your high and responsible trust,'for the benefit of firniiess, as well as aith prudence and discre-
rights, aid owing certain duties to each other,  our conoiion constituents.                   tio.
arising ft lilt their necessary and unavoidable re-  My opinions vvill be frankly expressed upon  The appointing power is one of the most deli-
lntions; which rights and duties there is no coam-  the leadinDg subjects of legislation; and if, which  cte w it which the Executive is invested. I re-
mon hiuia   authority to protect and enforce.  I do not anticipate, any act should pass the two  gard it is a sacred trust, to be exercised with the
Still, they ire rights and duties bindingin niorals,  Houses of Congress which should appear to me  sole view of advancing the prosperity and happi-
in conscience, and in honor, although there is no  unconstitutional, or an encroachment on the Just  ness of the people. It shall be my effort to elevate
tribunal to which an injured party cai appeal but  powers of other departments, or with provisions  thestaidardofofficialemplomyieitt, byselecting for
the disinterested judgment of  akind, sr d ul- 'stily adopted, and likely to produce canse-  places of importance individuals fittefortheposta
tmtely tile tirbitralct of the sword.         quences injurious and untorseen, I should iot   to which they are assigned, by their known
Among the acknowledged rights of nationis   tshrink from the duty of returning it to you, with  integrity, talents, and virtues. In so extensive a
that, which each possesses of establishing that  my reasons, for yolr farther consideration. Be-  country, with so great a population, and where
form of government which it may decii most con-  yond the due performance of these constitutional  few persons appointed to office can be known to
ducive to the happiness and prosperity of its ow ' obltioens, both my respect for the legislature  the appointing power, mistakes will sometimes
aitizens; of changigm that fo, as circumstances  and my sense of propriety will restrain me fron  unavoidablythappen,andunfortuateappointmenta
may require; and of osanaging its iternal affairs  any attempt to control or influence your proceed-  be made, notwithstanding the greatest care. In
accordig to its owa will. The people of the   iusz. 'With you is the power, the h onor, and the  such cases, the power of removal may be properly
United States cl,iiim this right for theselr.'es,  restonsi)ihty'of the legislation of the coutitry.  exercised; and neglect of duty or malfeasance in
de it to others. Hence it   The Government of the United States is i hia-  office will be no more tolerated in individuals ap-
aud they readily conced t  tonet othrs                              the Unte                  pone      ymyefta        i  hs    ppitdb
becomes an uumperative duty not to interferein the  ited Government. It is confined to the exercise  poiited by myself tian in those appointed by
government or internal policy of other natious;  of powers expressly granted, and such others as  others.
and, although we ony sympjathize with the un-  may be necessary for carrying those powers into  I am happy in being able to say that no unfa-
fiirtunate or the oppr ssel, everywhere, il their  effect; and it is at all tines an especial duty to  vorable change in our fore' n relations has taken
struggleg for freedom, our primciples forbid us  guard against any infringement on the just rights  place since the message at the opening of the last
from taking ally part in such foreign contests,  of the States. Over the objects and subjects in-  session'of Congress. We are at peace with all
We make ito ware to proraite or to preveit suc-  trusted to Congress, its legislative authority is  natiots, and we enjoy in an eminent degree the
cessions to thrones; to maintain any theory of a ' supreme. But here that authority ceeases,and  blessings of that peace, it) a prosperous and grow-
balace of power; or to suppress the actual gov-  every citizen who truly loves the Constitutio, i  commerce, and in all  e forms of aible
ernment which any country chooses to establish  and desires the continuance of its existence and  national intercourse. The unexampled growth of
for itself. We instigate no revolttions, nor 0uffer  its hlesings, will resolutely and firmly resist any  the country, the present amount of its population,
any hostile military expeditions to be fitted out in  interference in those domestic affairs, which the  and its ample means of self-protection, assuri for
the United States to invade the territory or prov-  Constitution has clearly and unequivocally left to  it the respect of all nations; while it is trusted that
mic  of a friendly nation. The great law of too-  the exclusive authority of the States. And every  its character for justice,and a regard to the right.
I

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