The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-12-15
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OF THE

p1Et 1lst9GSs EhcI ~ ufS Sitiielsts VI NJ
tionai prosperity have been 90 fully deyel-
oved. Since your last sessioI 10 afaie;-
sag d:spersaiion has yisi.ea our country f;
Gensr4 good health has prevailed abun-
dance has crowned the tell Of the hus-
baDdman; and lsbori 10 all lis branches ls
receiving an ample reward, whle edaca-
tion, science. and DE arts are rapidly en-
Iarcspg the means Of social happiaess.-
The progress Of our country in her career
of greatness, not only IN the vast exlen-
sion OF our territorial limits and the rap
I'd increase of our population, but in re-
aeurces and wealth, and in the happy G
diIion OF our people, is without example
an the history Cd nations
As the wisdom, strength, and benef-
~cence Of our free Institutions are IN folded
every day adds fresh motives 10 content
ment, and fresh incentives 70 patriotism.
Our devout aud sincere acknowledge
ments are due to the gracious Giyer Of all
good, fer the numberiess blessings which
our beloved country ENJOYS.
Itis . source Of high satisfaction 10
know f1at fne relations Of the United
States with ali other nations, with q single
exception, are Of the mo5t amicsble char
scler. Sincerely attached 20 the policy Of
peace, early adopted ard steadily pursued
bv the government / have aaxiously DE-
sireete cultivate and cherish friendship
and commerce with every foreign Power.
The spirit and habits Of the American
people are favorable to the maintenance
Tf suck international harmony. In adj
herring to the wise policy, a preliminary
and paramount duty obviously consists in
the protection Of our national interests
from encroachnent or sacrifice, and our
national honor from reproach. These
must be maintained at ANY hazard. They
admit ONO compromise or neglect, and
must be scrupulously and constantly
guarded. In their y~igilent vindication,
collision and conflict with foreign Powers
may sometimes become unsvoidable.-
Such has beer cur ~scrupuleus adherence
70 he dictates of justice, in all our foreign
intercourse, that, though steadily and rap
Any advancing in prosperity and power,
we have given no just cause Of complaint
10 any nation, and have enjoyed the bles-
sings of peace for more than thirty years.
from a policy so sacred 10 humanity, and
so salutary in lis effects upon our political
system, We should never be induced voi-
unfairly u depart.
The existing war with Mexico was
neFeher desired nor provoked by the L.
nited States. On the contrary, all hon
Ar,l1o 1900 1850 -o-4t.I - -. =.
After years Of endurance of aggravated
uDredrevscd wrongs on our part, Mexico,
IN violation of solemn treaty stipulaiions,
and Of every principle of Justice reeog-
Elsed by civilized nations, commenced
hostilitie5; and thus, by her own act,
forced the war upon US. Long before the
advance of our army 10 the lett bank Of the
Rio Grande, we had ample cause OF war
against Mexico; and had the United
States resorted 10 this extremity, we
might have appealed to the whole civil
zed world for the Justice of our cause.
deem il to be my duty to present to
You, on the present occasion, a conden-
sed review OF the injuries VIC had sustain
ed, of the causes which led to the war,
and of its progress since its commence
menS. This is rendered The more neces-
sary because of the misapprehensions
which have TO some extent prevailed as 10
ats origin and true character. Tie war
has been represented as unjust and ua-
necessary, and as one of aggression on
our part upon a weak and injured enemy.
Such erroneous views, though entertained
by bat few, have been widely and extern
siyely circulated not only at home, bu;
have been spread throughout Mexico and
the whole world. A more eaectual
means could not have been devised to en-
courage the enemy and protract the war
tbaa to advocate aud adhere to their cause
and thus give then aid and comlprt."
IL is soursc of national pride and ex-
u~ltation, that the great body Of our people
have thrown no such obstacles in the way
OF the government in prosecuting the war
successfully, but have shown themselves
20 be eminendy patriotic, and ready to
vindlcaie their country's honor and inter-
ests at any sacrifice. The a@lacritv and
promptness with which our volunteer for.
ces rushed TO the field on their country's
call, prove not only their patriotism, but
their deep conviction hat our cause is
just
The wrongs which we have suffered
from Mexico almost ever since she has
become an Independent Power, and the
patient endurance with which We have
borne them, are without a parallel in the
history of modern civilized naiions.-
There is reason 10 believe that If these
wrongs had been resented and resisted in
she first instance, the present war nigh;
have been avoided. One outrage, howev-
or permitted 10 pass with impunitv, al
most necessarily encouraged the perpetra-