Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-12-23
Fello,c Ciiizeps Of HE Senate

ie'iotc CiiiSeEs Of the Senate
and Of the House Of Representatives.
iu re~umng your lubors in the service
- lHe people, it is subject of congratn-
l1t,au that there has been no period IN our
Tlast history when all The elements of ma
/tional prosperity have been SO fully devel
oped. S,ace yuur last session, no aitllCt.
ing dispensaton has visited our country:
general good health has prevailed; abun-
>vance has crowned the tolls of the hus
bandmau; and labor in all its branches is
receiving an ample reward, while edusa
ltion, science, and the arts are rapidly en-
largng the means of social happiness.
The progress of our country in her career
of greatness, not only in the vast extension
of our territorial limits, and the rapid in
crease Of our population, but in resources
and wealth, and in the happy condition of
our people, is without example in the his
tory OF nations.
AS the wisdom, strength, aud benefi.
cence of our free institutions are unfolded,
every day adds fresh motives to content
ment, and fresh incentives to patriotism.
Our Gevodt and sincere acknowledge
ments are due TO the gracious Glver of all
good, for the humbe rless blessings which
our beloved counry enjoys.
1t is source of high satisfaction TO
know that the relations of the u. States
with all other nations, with a single eXrep-
ton, are of the most amicable character.
Sincerely attached 10 the policy Of peace
early adopted and steadily pursued BY this
government, | have anxiou~ly desired to
cultivate and cherish friendship and com
MERGE with every foreign Power. The
spirit aud habits of the American people
are favorable 10 the maintenance of such
international harmony. Ia adheriug to
this wise policy, preliminary and para
mount duty obviously consists in the pro-
lection of our national interests from en-.
croachment or sacrifice, and our national
honor from reproach. These must be
maintained at any hazard. They admit
of no compromise or neglect, and must be
scrupulously and constantly guarded. In
their vlglIant vindlcation, collision and
conflict with Foreign powers may some
times become unavoidable. Such has
been our scrupulous adherence to the die
tates of justice, IN all our foreign inter-
course, that, though steadily and rapidly
advancing in prosperity and power, we
have given no just cause of complaint 10
any nation, and have enjoyed the blessings
of peace for more than thirty years -
From policy so sacred 10 humanity, and
so salutary in its effects upon our political
system, we should never be induced volun-
tarily to depart.
The existing war with Mexico was nei-
Their desired nor provoked by the United
States. On the contrary, all honorable
means were resoried to TO avert it, After
years Of endurance Of aggravated and un-
redrassed wrongs on our part, Mexico, in
violation Of solemn tre7ly stipuIatlons.
and @. every n--n1r of Justice recognl-
zed by civilized a .as. commenced hos
tiities; and thus, by her awn act, forced
the war upon US. Long before the adj
vance Of our army 10 the left bank OF the
Rio Grande, we had ample cause of war
against Mexico; and had the United States
resorted to this extremity, we might have
appealed 10 the whole civilized world for
tie Justice Of our cause.
deem it my duty to present to you, on
the present occasion, a condensed review
81 the injuries we had sustained, of the
-auses which led to the war, and Of lis pro-
press since its commencement. This is
rendered the more Necessary, because OF
the misapprehensions which have TO some
extent prevailed as to its origin and true
character. The war has been represent
ed as uaiu- and unnecessary. and as one
Of aqgres ION On Cur part upon a weak and
injured enemy. Such erroneous views,
though entertained by but few, have been
widely and extensively circulated, not on
" at home. but have been spread through
out Mexico and the whole world. A more
effectuaI means could not have been dew
sed to encourage the enemy, and prOtract
the war, than to advocate and adhere to
their cause, and thus give them I" aid and
comfort"
II is a source Of national pride and ex-
ultation that the great body of our people
have thrown no such obstacles in the way
of the government in prosecuting the war
ucces sfuly, but have shown themselves
q be G minentIy patriotic and ready to vim
dicafe their country's honor and interests
at any sacrifice. The alacrify and prompt
moss with which our volunteers rushed to
the field at their conntry's call, prove not
only their patriotism, but their deep con
yiction tina oar cause is Just.
The wrongs which we have suffered
from Mexico, almost ever since she be-
came an independent power, and the pa
,;ent endurance with winch we have horne
,hsm. are without parallel IN the history
of modern civilized nations. There IS
ra.sa, TO believe thut if these wrongs had
80 resented aud resisted III the first in
o,once. the present war might nave oeen
;dcJ Que outrage, however, permit