Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-17
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FeHop- Citizens Of the Senate
and of The House of Represen
DECEMBER 6, 1916.

Ie[lolp- CltizenS OF the oennte
and of The House of Representatives.
In resumng your abOrs in the service OF tho
people. it is a subject OF congratuaton that there
has been no period in our past history,when all the
elements of national prosperity have been so FULLY
developed Since your last session, no affecting
dlspensution has visited our couniry general good
health has prevailed abundance has crowned the
toll of the hushandman and labor, IN all its bran
ches. is receiving an ample reward while educa-
ton 81 ence and the arts, rapidly charging the
neaus of social happiness. The progress Of our
country in her OF greatness, not only in the
vas. extension of our territorial limits and the rap
iii 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 the wisdom strength, and beneticence OF oul
free institutions are unioded, every day adds fresh
motives to contentment, and fresh incentives to pat
riotism.
Our devout and sincere acknowledgements are
due to the gracious Giver of all good for the num-
berless blessings which our country enjoys.
1t is a source of high satisfaction to know that
the relations ofthe United States with all other ma
tons with single exception, are OF the most am
icable character. Sincerely attached TO the policy
of peace early adopted and steadily pursued by
this government, have anxIously desired to cultl-
yate and cherish friendship and commerce with ev-
ery foreign Power. The spirit and habits OF the
American people are favorable TO the maintenance
of such international harmony. In adherlng to this
wise policy, preliminary and paramount duty Oh
vuusy consists in the protection OF our national
interests from encroacnment or sacrlhce, ana our
nations, iionor from reDroach. These must oe main
tanned at any hazard. They admit of no conprom-
ise or neg lecl, and must be scrupulously and con-
stantly guarded. In their vigilant vndlcaton, col
ision and conflict with foreign powers may some
times become unavoidable. Such has been our
scrupuous adherence to the dictates OF justice, IN
all of our foreign intercourse that, though steadily
nd ADJ
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 So sacred
to humanity and salGtary In Its effects upon Our
political system, we should never be induced vol
UNFAIRLY to depart
The existing war with Mexico neither de-
sired nor provoked by the United States. On the
4 contrary all honorable means were resored to to
avert IL. After years OF endurance OF aggravated
and unredressed wrongs on our part, Mexico, III vi
oation of solemn treaty stipuIaions, and OF ever.
principle of Justice recognized by CIVILIZED nations
commenced Institutes; and thus by her own act
forced the war upon Long before the ADVANCE
of our army TO the left bank OF the Rio Grande, WI
had ample cause of war against Mexico; and hat
the United States resorted to this extremity, W.
might have appealed to the whole civilized worl'
for the Justice of our cause.
deem 1t to be my duty to present to you on TIN
present occasion, condensed review OF the inJu
ries we had sustained, OF the causes which led u
the war, and of It's progress since lis commence
meDt. This is rendered the more necessary, be
cause of the nsappreEenslons which have 10 som
extent prevailed as to It's origin and true character
The war has been represented as unjust aud unne
cessary, and one OF aggressi on our part upo
a weak and injured enemy. Such erroneous vlew'
though entertained by but few, have been wldel
and extensively circulated, not only at home, bt
have been spread throughout Mexico and the Who'll
world A more etfectuul means could not hav
been devised to encourge the enemy and protraC
tile war, thun to advocate and adhere to their caus'
and thus give them Z" and aud comfort"
1t Is OF national pride and eXultatio
that the great body OF our people have thrown Il
such obstacles in the way OF the government
prosecuting the war successfully, but have show
themselves to be eninently patriotic and ready
vnIicdte their country's honor and interests al al
sacrifice. The aacrlly and promplness with shlC
our volunteer forces rushed TO the field on the
countrys call, prove moi only their patriotism, b
their deep CONVICTION that our cause is Just.
The wrongs which we have suffered from Men
co, almost since she became an ludepeude
power, and the patient endurance with which Y
hUve born them, are without parallel IN the hist
ry of modern civilized nations. There Is reast
to believe that # these wrongs had been resenu
and resisted III the first instance, the present W
might have been avoided. Une outrage, howev
permitted TO pass WITH IMMUNITY, almost necessarl
encouraged the preparation OF another, until
INDIGESTION on our part, Il forbearance winch was /
offspring OF magnannlty, and OF a sincere des
to preserve friendly relations with a sister republ
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indie pendent
which the United States were the first among /
nations to acknowledge, when size commenced /
system Of insult and spollatiun, which she has e,
since pursued Our citizens eng ged in law
commerce were imprisoned, their vessels selz,
and our flag nsued III her ports. II money "
wanted, the lawless seizure and coniisCatlon OF O
merchant vessels and their Curgoes was ready
souTcei and # To accomplish their purposes It
came necessary To imprlsun the owners, captal
and crews, 1t was done. Rulers superseded rule
In Mexico IN rapid succession, but still there W
no change IN tins system Of depreciation. The %
ernnlenI othe United States made repeated reclu
atlons on benalt OF It's clllzens but these were u
swered by the perpelIatlOn Of new oulrages Pro-
ises OF redress made by Mexico in the most solel
forms were postponed or eyaded. The files u
records OF the Department of State contain &C
elusive proofs of numerous lawess acts perpet