Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-24
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Feiiow-ciiiseas ofMe Seaate
0ud 0f The {Jouse ofRepreseofo

~
past history, when all the elcmcuis OF ma
tional prosperity have been SO fully deycl-
oped. Since your last session, no aifilc'-
ing dispcnsation has visited our country,
general good health has prevailed; album
dance has crowned tho toll Of the husband
man; aud labor i'm all its branches is re-
ceiviny an ample reward, while education,
science, aud the arts are rapidly enlargihg
tho means of social happiness. The pro-
yrcss of our country in her career Of great
ness, not only in the vast extension of our
territorial limits aud the rapid increase of
our population. but in resources and wealth,
aud in the happy condition ofour people,
is without example in the history Of ma
tons.
AS the wisdom, strength, and bene6-
cence of our free institutions are unfolded,
every day adds fresh motives to content>
ment, and fresh Incentives to patriotism.
Our devout aud sincere acknowledge
mcnts are due to the gracious Gver of all
good, FOR the numbcrless blessings which
our beloved country enjoys.
II is source Of high satisfaction to know
that the relations of the United States with
all other nations, with a single exception,
are Of the most amicable character. Sim
cerely attached to the policy ofpeace. early
adopted and steadily pursued by this gov
eminent, have anXiously desired TO cult
with every foreigu power. The spirit and
habits of the American people are ia
vourable to the maintenance of such in
icrnaiional harmony. Tx adhcrng TO this
wise policy, a preliminary and paramount
duty obviously consists in the protection
OF our national Interests from cncroachmeut
or sacrifice, and cur national honor from
rcpoach. These must be maintained at
any hazard. They admit of no compro-
mise or nc ..dcct, aud must be scrupulousiy
and constantly guarded. In their vigilant
vindication, collision and conflict with for
cigm powers may sometimes become un-
ayoidahlc. Such has been our scrupulous
adherence To the dictates of Justice, in all
our foreign intercourse, that, though steadi-
iy and rapidly advancing in prosperity aud
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 humani-
~, aud salutary III lis effects upon our
political system we should never be in
duced voluntarily 10 depart.
The existing war with Mexico was neither
desired nor provoked by The United States
Ontle contrary, all honorable means were
rcsortcd totn Avert il. After years Of endut-
ancc nfaggravntctl and unrcdressed wrongs
"a oiir part Mexico, in violation of solemn
treaty siibulatioms, and of every principle
"fius,ice recognized by civilized nations
commenced hosiiliics, and thus, by her
own act, forced the war upon us. Long
before the advance Of our army 10 the left
bank of the Rio Grandc, we had ample
Cause of war against Mexico; and had
the United States rcsoried to this extremity,
we might have appealed to tie whole civ
ilizcd world for the justice of o,ir cause.
dccm it to be my duty to present to
you, on the present occasion, a condensed
review ofthe ini urics we had sustained
of the causes which led to the war, and of
It's progress since its commencement
This is rendered the more necessary be-
cause OF the miSapprehenslon which have
TO some extent prevailed as to its origin
and true character. The war has been REP
represented as unjust and unnecessary,
and as one of aggression on our part upon
n weak aud injured enemy. Such erro-
ncous views, though entertained bv but
E!@, hive been widely and extensively
circulated not only at home, but have been
spread throu yi,oul Mexico aud the whole
world. A moe elfcctua! means could
not have been devised 20 encourage the
enemy and protract the war than to advo-
cate and adhere to their cause, and thus
give them ''aid aud comfort"
II is Il source Of national pride and eytl-
4 pt. fl,aft ha
lave thrown no such obstacles ia the way
of Tie governments in prosecuting the war
successfully, bat have shown themselves
To be cmincnily patriotic. aud ready to vim
dlcatc THEFT country's honor and interests
at any sacrifice. The alacrity and prompt.
news with which our volunteer forces rush
ed te the field on their country's call
prove not only their patriotism, but their
dcep conviction that our cause is just.
The wrongs which we have suffered
from Mexico ain!ost ever since slie be-
came an independent Power, and the pa
iieRt endurance with which we have borne
them, are without n parallel in the history
Of modern civilized nations. There is rca-
son to believe that if these wrongs had
Been resented and resisted in the FIRST in
stance, The present war might have been
avoided. Oae outrage, however, permitted
10 pass with impunity, almost necessarily
encnufasod the preparation o: another,
Until at last Mexico seemed TO attribute
10 weakness and indccisinn on our part a
fnrbearancc which was the offspring of mag.
iianiniity and Of sincere desire to preserve
friendly relations with sister republic.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indc.
pcndeuce, which the United States were
The first among The nations TO acknowledge,
wben she commenced the system of insult
aud spoilaiion which she has ever since
pursued Oar citizens engaged in lawful
commerce were imprisoned, their vessels
Feized, ana our flag insniied in her ports.