The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FelLoto- CitiSens Of the Senate,
and the House of ReDresentatireS.

the people il is subject of congratulation
that there has been no period in our past his
tory, when all the elements of national pros
perily have been so fully developed. Since
our last session no affecting dispensation has
visited our country; general good death has
prevailed; abundance has crowned the toll Of
the husbandman; and labor in all lis branch
es is receiving an ample reward; while edu-
cation, science, and the arts are rapidly en-
laTging the means of social happiness. The
progress ofour 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 ofour people, is with
out example in the history ofnations.
As the wisdom, strength and benifcence
OF our free Institutions are unfolded, every
day adds fresh motives TO contentment, and
fresh incentives TO patriotism.
Our deVout and sincere Acknowledgements
are due 10 the gracious Giver of all good for
the numberless blessings which our beloved
country enjoys.
Ii 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
attached 10 the policy of peace, early adopt
ed and steadily pursued by this government,
| have anxiously desired to cultivate and
cherish friendship and commerce with every
foreign power. The spirit and habits of The
American people are favorable TO the main
Ienance of such International harmony. In
adhering to this wise policy, preliminary s.
paramount duty obviously consists in the pro-
lection ofour national interests from encroach-
ments or sacrifice, and our national honor
from reproach. These must be maintained
at all hazards. They admit of no comprom-
Use or neglect, and must be scrupulously and
constantly guarded. In their vgiIant vindi-
cation, collision and conflict with foreign pow
ers may sometimes become unavoidable
Such has been our scrupuous adherence to
the dictates of justice. in all our fore ign in
tercourse, that, though steadily ana rapid y
advancing in prosperity and power, we have
given no just cause of complaint TO any ma
ton, and have enjoyed the blessings of peace
for more than thirty years. From policy Sc
sacred TO humanity, and so salulary in lis eff
fects upon our political system, we should
never 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 was re-
sorted TO 10 avert it. After years of endurance
of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on oul
part, Mexico, in violation of solemn treaty
stipulallons, and of every principle of Justice
recognized by civilized nations, commenced
hosllities, and thus, by her own act, forced
the war upon us. Long before the advance
IF ., IL, RI ~
de, we had ample cause OF war against Mex
CO; and had the United States resorted to
this extremity, we might have appealed to
the whole civilized world for the Justice o.
our cause.
| deem il TO be my duty TO present TO you
on the present occasion, a condensed review
of the injuries we had sustained, Of the caus
es which led 10 the war, and of IFS progress
since IFS commencement. This is rendered
the more necessary, because of the misap
pTehensions which have 10 some extent pre-
vailed as TO its origin and true Character
The war has been represented as unjust anC
unnecessary, and as one faggression on ou
part upon weak and injured enemy. Sucl
erroneous views, though entertained but b.
few, have been widely and extensively cir
culated, not only at home, but have beef
spread throughout Mexico aud the whole
world. A more effeclual means could no
have been devised to encourage the enem
and protract the war, than 10 advocate an
adhere TO their cause, and thus give them 'ai
and comfort
Ii is source of national pride and exu
tation, that the great body of our people
have thrown no such obstacles in the way Q
the government in prosecuting the war sue
ccssiully, but have shown themselves to b.
eminenlly patriotic, and ready to vndicat
their country's honor and interest at any sac
rifce. The alacrity and promptness wit
which our volunteer force rushed to the fiel
on their country's cali, prove not only thei
patriotism, but their deep conviction that on
cause is just.
The wrongs which we have suffered Iror
Mexico almost ever since she became an il
dependent power, and the patient enduranc
with which we have borne them, are withou
/ parallel in the history of modern civilize
1 nations. There is reason 10 believe thai
4 these wrongs had been resented and resiste
in the first instance, the present war migt
have been avoided. One outrage, however
/ permitted TO pass with impunitv, almost ne
cessarily encouraged the preparation of ar
other, until at last Mexico seemed to atribut
TO weakness and indecision on our part a 70
bearance which was the offspring of magnt
nimity, and of sincere desire 10 preserv
friendly relations with sister republic.
= Scarcely had Mexico achieved her ind
pendence, which the United States were
mong the first among nations 10 acknowlede
when she commenced the system of insult {
spoliaion, which she has ever since persue