The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-12-17

n rcSOlullOn was duOpieu, IcsloIlHS vi
correspondent of the New York Tribune to til
privilege of the House. Adjourned
Both Houses met on Tuesday at IL o'clocl
according to adjournment, when the tollowin
Message was received from the President:
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fe1IoU citizens of the Senate and House o
Representatives:
In resuning your labors in the service c
the People, it is subject Of congratulatio
that there has been no period in our past his
tory, when all the elements of national pros
pcrity have been so fully developed. Sine,
your last session no affecting dspensation ha
visited our country; general good health ha
prevailed abundance has crowned the tot
Of the husbandman, and labor in all its branch
es is receiving an ample reward, while edu
cation, science and the arts are rapidly en-
largng the means of social happiness. The
progress of our country in her career ofgreat
nessnot only in the vast extension of our ter
ritorial limits, and the rapid increase of oul
population, but in resources and wealth, and
in the happy condition of our people, is with.
out example in the history OF nations
As the wisdom, strength and bene6cence
of our free institutions are unfolded every
day adds fresh motives to c-ntentment, and
fresh incentives to patriotism.
Our devout AMI sincere acknowledgements
are due to the gracious Giver Of all good for
the numberlcss blessings which our beloved
country enjoys.
1t is a source of high satisfaction to know
that the relations of the United States with
all other nations, with single exception, are
of the most amicable character. Sincerely
~ IL. al a
and steadily pursued by this government,
ish friendship and commerce with every for
eign Power The spirit and habits OF the
American people are favorable to the main
tanance of such international harmony. In
adaering to this wise policy, preliminary
and paramount duty obviously consists in the
protection of oar national interests from en-
croachment or sacrifice, and our national hon.
or from reproach. These mu t be maintain.
ell at any hazard. They admit of no 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
Sach has been onr scrupulous adherence to
the dictates of justice, in all our foreign inter-
course, that though steadily and rapidly AL
vancing in prosperity and power, we have
given no lust cause of complaint to any nation,
and have enjoyed the blessings oil peace for
more than thirty years From policy so sa-
cred to humanity, and so salutary in its eff
fects upon our political system, we should new
err be induced voluntarily to depart
The existing war with Mexico was neither
desired nor provoked by the United States
On the contrary, all honorable means were
resorted to, to avert it. After years of en-
durance of aggravated and unredressed
wrongs on our part, Mexico, in violation of
solemn treaty stipulations, and of every prin-
ciple of Justice recognized by civilized ma
tons, commenced hostlities and thus, by her
own act, forced the war upon us. Long be-
fore the 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 resorted to this extremity, we might
have appealed 20 the whole civilized world
for the justice Of our cause.
/ deem it to be my duty to present to you,
on the present occasion, a condensed view of
the injuries we had sustained, of the causes
which led to the war,and of its progress since
its commencement. This is rendered the
more necessary because of the misapprehen-
sions which have to some extent prevailed as
to its origin and true character. The war
Has US6H TcpIcScutcA dS
necessary, and as one of aggression on our
part upon weak and injured enemv. Such
erroneous views, though entertained by but a
few, have been widely and extensively circu.
lated not only at home, but have been spread
throughout Mexico and the whole world. A
more etfectual means could not have been dc.
visel to encourage the enemy and protract
the war than to advocate and adhere to their
cause, and thus give them {" aid and comfort"
1t is a source Of national pride and exulta-
ton, that the great body of our people have
thrown no such obstacles in the way of the
Government in prosecuting the war success.
fully, but have shown themselves to be emf
nently patriotic, and ready to vindcate their
country's honor and interests at any sacrifice
The aacrity and promptitude with which our
volunteer forces rushed to the field on their
country's call, prove not only their patriot.
ism, but their deep conviction that our cause
is Just.
The wrongs which we have suffered from
Mexico almost ever since she became an in
dependent power, and the patient endurance
with which we have borne them, are without
parallel in the history of modern civilized
nations. There is reason to believe that II
these wrongs had been resented and resisted
in the first instance, the present war might
have bean avoided Ono outrage, however,