Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellow-citizens Of the Senate
and Of the House Of Representatives:
In resuming your labors in the services
Of the people, it is subject of congratula-
ton that there has been no period in our
past history, when oil the elements of
national prosperity have been so fully
developed. Since your last session, no
affecting dispensation has visited our coun-
try; general good health has prevailed !;
abundance has crowned the toll Of the hus-
bandman; and labor in all its branches is
receiving an ample reward, while education,
science, and the arts are rapidly enlargeing
the means Of social happiness. The pro-
gress Of our country in her career Of great
ness, not only in the vast 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,
iswithout example in the history of nations.
AS the wisdom, strength and bene6cence
Of our free institutions are unfolded, every
day adds fresh motives to contentment, and
treSn Incentives u PatrlotlStl. r ...-....y
Our devoute and sincere acknowledg.
r,ents are due to the Gracious Gvcr Of all
good, for the numberless blessings which
our beloved country enjoys 4'
Itis source Of high satisfaction 10 know
that the relations Of the United States with
oil other nations, with single exception,
= are Of the most nnicable character. Sin
cerely attached to the policy Of peace,
early adopted and steadily pursued by this
government, have anxiously desired to
cultivate and cherish friendship and COM
n,erce with every foreign power. The
spirit and habits Of the American people
are favorable to the maintenance Of such
International harmony. In adhering to
this wise policy, q 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 vigilant vindication, collision and con-
fict with foreign powers may sometimes
become unavoidable. Such has been oui
scrupulous adherence to the dictates Of jus.
ticc, in oil our foreign intercourse, that
though steadily and rapidly advancing in
prosperity and power, we have given nc
lust cause of complaint to any nation, and
have enjoyed the blessings of peace fol
more than thirty years. From apolicy SO
sacred to humanity, and SO salutary in its
effectsupon our political system,we should
never be induced voluntarily to depart.
The existing war with Mexico was nei.
ther desired nor provoked by the United
States On the contrary, all honorable
means were resorted to to revert it. Aftel
years Of endurance ofaggravated and un
sedressed wrongs on our part, Mexico, II
violation Of the solemn treaty stipulations
and of every principle Of justice recogniz
cd by civilized nations, commenced hostili
ties, and thus, by her own act, forced tn,
waruponus Longbefore the advance ofou
army to the left bank Of the Rio Grande
we had dsample cause ofwar against Mexico
and had the United States dresorted to thi
extremity, we might have appealed to thu
whole civilized world for the justice of ou
cause. AtFsssi GF9s, N! g. @s5a ffE " ~
e3sI deem 10 be my duty present to you
on the present occasion, a condensed re
siew Of theiniuries we had sustained, oftt
causes which led to the war; and of it
progress since its commencement. This
rendered the more necessary because ofth
nsisapprehensions which have to som
extent prevailed as to its origin and tru
character. The war has been represents
as unjust and Unnecessary, and as once
asgression on our part upon a weak an
injured enemy. Such erroneous view
though entertained by but few, have bee
widely and ndtextensisely circulated not onl
atihoms, but have been spread throughot
Mexico and the whole world. A mof
sfftctual means couldtnot have beendevise
sosencourage tho enemy and protract tn
war than to advocate and adhereto the
causs, and thus giuethen1 Said and comfort.
Itis Gaourcs ofnational pride and exult'
tionthatiths great body;of our people hav
thrownnc such obstacles in thesway of tt
governmentin prosecuting the war success
fully ysbut have' shown themselves to be en-
insntiy patriotic, and ready TO vindca
their Gountry's honorand interests at ar
sscriRce sai The ralacrity and promptne
Hishwhish eur volunteer farcss rushed