The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1846-12-23
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
'xcns of the Senate

fNESlUENI - III EooAUE.
Fcllo,D-citizcns of the Senate
and of the House Of Representatives.
In resuming your labors in the service
Of the people, it is subject Of congratula-
tion that the1 e has been no period in our
pas, history. when oil the elements Of ma
iional prosperity have been SO fully tlcvel
oped. Since your last session no affecting
dispensation has visited our country; gem
eral good health has prevailed; abundance
has crowned the toll Of the husba ntlman;
and labor in all its branches is receiving
an ample reward, while con,iued science,
and the arts are rapidly enlarging The
means of social huppincss. The progress
of our country in her career Of greatness,
not only in the vast extension OF our tcrri-
tor,al 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 nations.
AS tho wisdom. strength, and beniicencc
Of our free institutions are unfuldrd, every
day adds fresh motives to cunlentmcnt, and
fresh incentivesto patriotism.
OIr devoul and sincere acknowledge.
ments arc due TO the gracious Giver Of all
good, for the numberless blessings which
our beloved country enjoys.
I. is a source Of high satisfaction to know
that the relations Of the U. States with all
other na,ions. with q single exception, are
Of the most nmicuble character. Sincere
ly attached to The policy Of peace. early
adopted and steadily pursued by this gov
erument, have nnxiously desired 10 culu.
vste and cherish friendship and commerce
with every foreign power. The spiri. and
habits Of the American people are favora-
BILE 10 the maintenance Of such interna.
sional harmony. III adhering 10 This wise
policy, preliminary and paramount duty
obviously consists in the protection Of our
national interests from cncronchment or
sacrifice and our national honor from re-
INroach. These must be maintained ut any
hoard. They admit Of no compromise
or neglect, and must be scrupulousy and
constantly guarded. In their vigilant vim
tiicstion, collision and conflict with foreign
powers mhy sometimes become unavoida-
bile. Such has been our scruPulous ndhcr-
cnce to the dictates Of fjustice, in all our fur
c;gn intercourse, that. though s,endily and
rapidly advancing in prosperity and power,
we have givenn0 just cause Of complain,
10 any nation, and have enjoyed the bIcs.
sings Of peace for more than thirty years.
From policy 50 sacred to humanity, and
so saiu.ary in its effects upon our political
system, we should ncvcrbe induced volun-
tarily to depart.
The existing wa. with Mexico was nei-
thcr desired nor provoked by the U. States.
On the contrary, all honorable means were
resorted to. toavcrt it. Aneryears Of en-
durance Of aggravated and unredrcsscd
wrongs on our part. Mexico. in violation
Of solemn treaty slipulu,ions, and Of every
principle Of justice recognised by civilized
nations, commenced hoslil,ics; and thus,
by her own act, forced the war upon u.s.
Long before TIC advance Of our army to
the left bank Of the Rio Grande. We had
ample cause Of war against Mexico; and
had the United States resortcd to this ex>
re,nity, we nigh. have appealed to the
cause.
deem i. to be my duty I1 prcscn. 10
you, OH the present 0ccasion, condensed
review Of the injuries wa had sustained, of
the causes which led 10 The war, and Of its
progress since its commencement, This
is rendered the more necessary because Of
the misnpprehensions which have 10 some
extent prevailed as TO its origin and true
haracter.-I'he war has been represented
as unjust and unnecessary, and as one Of
aggression on our part upon weak and
injured enemy. Such erroneous views,
though enlertainedb by but few. have been
widely and extensively circulated not only
nj home, bu, hare been spread ,hrous shou.
Mexico and the whole world. A more Ell:
cctual means could not have been devised
70 encourage the enemy and proiract The
war than 10 advocate and adhere to their
cause, and thus give them "a,d aud com.
forl."
! I. is source Of national pride and ex.
n,,a,ion. that the grea. body Of our people