Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-19
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fcllov Citisens ofthe Sgnate

LII resumiag your labors in the service of
the people, it is a subject of congratulation
that there has been no period in our past
history, when all the elements Of national
prosperity have been so fully developed.
since yolr last session, no affecting dispen-
Sation has visited our country; general good
health has prevailed; abundance has crown
ed tue toll OF the husbandman; and labor in
all Its branches is receiving an ample re-
ward, whlie education, science and the arts
are rapidly advancing the means of social
happiness. The progress of our country i'm
her career of greatness, not only in the vast
extension Of our territorial limits and the ra-
pid increase of our population, bat in re-
sources and wealth, and in the happy con-
dition of our people, is without example in
tae history of nations.
AS the wisdom, strength, and benefcence
OF cur free Institutions are unfolded, every
day adds fresh motives to contentment, and
fresh incentives to patriotism.
Our devout and sincere acknowledgment
are due TO the gracious Giver of all good,
for the numberless blessings which our be-
loved country enjoys.
1t is a source of high satisfa ction to know
that the relations Of the United States with
IN ether nations, with single exception.
are of the most amicable character. SIN
cerely attached to the policy of peace, early
adopted and steadily pursued by this govern
faent, have anxiously desired to cultivate
and cherish friendship and commerce with
every foreign power. The spirit and habits
OF the American people are favorable to the
maintenance OF such international harmony.
In adherng to this wise policy, prelimna-
ry and paramount duty obviously consists in
the protection Of our national interests from
encroachments or sacrifice, aad cur nation
al honor from reproach. These must be
maintained at any hazard. They admit of
no compromise Or neglect, and must be
ScrupuloaSly and constantly guarded. In
their vigilant vindication, collision and con-
Lsct with foreign powers may sometimes be-
come. Unavoidable Such has been our
scrnpulous adherence to the dictates of JUS
tlce, in all our foreign intercourse, that.
though steadily and rapidly advancing in
prosperity and power, we have given no
Just cause of complaint to any nation, and
have enjoyed the blessings of peace for more
than thirty years. From policy so sacred
to humanity and so salutary in its effects up
on our political system, we should never be
induced voluntarily to depart
The existing war with Mexico was Meth
erdesred nor provokedby the United States
On the contrary, all honorable means were
reSorted to to avert it. After years of endu-
rance OF aggravated and unredressed wrongs
on oar part, Mexico, in violation Of solemn
treaty Stipulatons, and of every principle of
justice recognized by civilized nations, com
menced hostilities, and thus, by her own
act, forced the war upon us. Long before
the advance Of Our army to the left bank of
tie Rio Grande, we had ample cause ofwar
against Mexico; and had the U. States re-
sorted to this extremity, we might have ap-
fe2led to the whole civilized world for the
justice Of oar cause.
deem it to be my duty to present tc you,
on the present occasion, a condensed review
"t the injuries we had sustained, of the eau
SEES which led to the war, and Of its progress
since its commencement. This is rendered
the more necessary because of the mSap-
prchenSionS which have to some extent pre-
vailed as to its origin and true character
Inc war has been represented as unjust and
unnecessary, and as one Of aggression on
oIrpalt upon weak and injured enemy
Such erroneous views, though entertained
but by few, have been widely and extern
sIvely circulated, not only at home, but have
been spread throughout Mexico and the
whole world. A more eiectual means
coId not have been devised to encourage
the enemy and pr0tract the war, than to adj
vocate and .Iere to their cause, and thus
give them said and comfort"
It is source of national pride and exulta-
tioa, that the great body Of our people have
thrown no such obstacles in the way of the
government in prosecuting the war success
tally, but have shown themselves to be en-
I1entIy patriotic, and ready to vindicate
their country'S honor and interest at any Sa-
erldce The alacrity and promptneSS with
which our volunteer forces rushed to the
field on their country's call, prove not only
taeir patriotism, bat their deep conviction
that our cause is Just.
The wrongs which we have suffered from
Mexico almost ever since she became an
independent power, and the patient endu-
rance with which we have borne them. are
without parallel in the history of modern
civilized nations. There is reason to believe
that If these wrongs had been resented and
resisted in the first instance, The present war
might have been avoided. One outrage,
however, permitted to pass with impunity,
almost necessarily encourage the perpetra-
ton OF another, until at last Mexico seemed
10 attribute to weakness and indeciSion on
Onr part a forbearance which was the off.
spring of magnanimity, and Of a sincere de-
sire to preserve friendly relations with
SlNNct puOlACs
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indie
: ponlence, which the United States were
first among the nations to acknowledge,
when she commenced the system of insult
all spoliation, which she has ever since pur-
sied. Our citizens, engaged in lawful COM
nefce, Wee imprisoned, their vessels seiz-
ed, and our flag insulted in her ports. If
money was wanted, tde laweSS seizure of
oar merchant vessels ana their cargoes was
ready resource, and if to accomplish their
purposes it became necessary to imprison
the owaers, captains and crews, it was done.
Rnlers Superseded rulerS in Mexico in rapid
S succession, but Stin there was no change in
this system OF depreciation. The govern.
nfSnt ofthe United States made repeated re-
ciamation5 on behalf of its citizens, but
these were answered by the preparation of
new oltrages. Promises of redress made
by Mexico in the most solemn forms, were
postponed or evaded. The files and records
OF the Department of State contain concu-
Sive proofs of numerous lawleSS acts perpe-
trated upon the property aud persons of our
citizens by Mexico, and of walton insults to
our national flag. The interposition of our
government to obtain redress was again aud
again invoked, under circumstances which
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