The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-19
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.-is5J al II 6 so OF THE 5tta s. lsow y
President Of the United States.

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In resuming your lahors in the service ofthe peo-
pe it is subject of congratulatiou that there has
been no period 10 our asthistory, when all the ell
ements Of national prosperity have been SO fully
developed. Since your last session, no affecting
dspensaton has visited our country; general good
health has prevailed; abundance has crowned the
toiI Of the husbandman and labor in all its branch
es is receiving an ample reward, while education,
science, and the arts are rapidly enlarging the
means Of social happiness. The progress of our
country in her career OF greatness, not only in the
yas extension Of our territorial limits and the rapid
Increase OF our population, but in resources and
wealth. and in the happy condition. OF our
people, Is without example in the history OF ma
lions. sis sxsa sjes41,l i1efi 5fai lg s9n .sss1a
AS the w,,dom, strength. and benifcence Of our
free institutions are unfolded every day adds fresh
motives to contentment, and fresh incentives to
patriotism. ~ as..;e si1aff'aJ lsfsi.3n ai nlo
Our devout and sincere Acknowledgements are
due 10 the gracious Giver Of all good for the num-
berIess blessings which our beloved country en-
lows. aasA 81 rifgitt mstci si,a iolsa9i n
II is source Of high satisfaction TO know that
the relations of the United States with all other ma
tions, with single exception, are Of the most am.
icabIe character. Sincerely attached to the policy
of peace, early adopted and steady pursued by
this government. have anxiously desired to cuti-
vate and cherish friendship and commerce with
every foreign power. The spirit and habits ofthe
American people are favorable to the maintenance
Of such international harmony. In adhering to this
wise policy, preliminary and paramount duty OBJ
yiousy consists in the protection of our national
interests from encroachment or sacrifice, and our
national honor from reproach. These must be
maintained at any hazard. They admit ofno COM
promise or neglect, and must be scrupulously and
constantly guarded. In their vigilant vindication,
collision and conflict with foreign powers may
sometimes become unavoidable. Such has been
our scrupulous adherence to the dictates of justice,
in ali our foreign intercourse, that, though steadily
and rapidly advancing in prosperity and power, we
have given no Just cause Of complaint to any ma
ton, and have enjoyed the blessings of peace for
more than thirty years. From apolcy SO sacred to
humanity, and so salutary in its effects upon our
political system, we should never be induced
voluntarily to depart. IL ~sl~ a te1.
The existing war with Mexico was neither de-
sired nor provoked by the United States. On the
contrary, all honorable means were resorted to to
avert IL After years of endurance of aggravated
wrongs on our part, Mexico. in violations of sol.
emn treaty stipulatoDs, and of every principle OF
Justice recognised by civilized nations, commenced
hostilities and thus by her act forced the war
upon us, Long before the advance of our army to
the left bank Of the Rio Grsnde, we had ample
cause Of war against Mexico; and had the United
States resorted to this extremity, we might have
sppealed 10 the whole civilized world Tor the JUS
tice Of our cause.' Sssis e
deem il to be my duty to present to you. on
the present occasion, a condensed review OF the
injurieswe bad sustained, Of the causes which led
to the war, and Of its progress since Its commence
ment. This Is rendered the more necessary De-