The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-12-10
Presidents Message.

III TeSuHllng your laDOfS In the service OF the
People, it is subject of congraulaton 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 af-
ihctlng dlspensation has visited our country gen
@fal good health has prevailed abundance has
crowned the toll of the husbandman: and labor
IN all its branches is receiving an ample reward
while education science and the arts are rapidly
ehlarging the means of social happiness The
progress Of our country in her career of greatness
not only In the vast extension of our territorial
limits and the rapid increase of our population,
but in resources aud wealth, and in the happy
condition OF our people, is without example in
the history of nations.
AS the wisdom, strength and beueficence 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 to the gracious Giver OF all good for the
numheress blessings which our beloved country
enjoys
tbs source of high satisfaction to know that
the relations of the United States with all other
nations, with single exception are of the most
anicabe character. Sincerely attached to the
policy of peace, early adopted and steadily pur-
sued by this Government, | have anxiously de-
sired to cultivate and cherish friendship and COM
merce with every foreign Power The spirit and
habits OF the American people are favorable to
the maintenance of such international harmony
la adhering to this wise policy, preliminary and
paramount duty obviously consists in the protec-
ton Of our national interests from encroachment
sacrifice, and our national honor from reproach
These must be maintained at any hazard Thev
admit OF no compromise or neglect, and must be
scrupuIousy and constantly guarded. In their
vigilant yindcation, collision and conflict with
foreign Powers may sometimes become unavoi-
dabe. Such has been our scrupulous adherence
10 the dictates of Justice in all our foreign inter-
course, that, though steadily and rapidly advan-
cling in prosperity and power, we have given no
just cause OF complaint to any nation, and have
enjoyed the blessings of peace for more than thr-
ty years. From policy so sacred to humanity,
and so sautary in its effects upon our political
system, we should never be induced voluntarily
10 depart.
The existing war with Mexico was neither de-
sired nor provoked by the United States. On
she contrary, all honorable means were resorted
to, to avert it. After years OF endurance OF ag-
gravated and unredressed wrongs part,
Mexico IN violation of solemn treaty stipulations
aud of every principle OF justice recognized by
civilized nations, commenced hostities; and
thus, by her own act forced the war upon US
Long before 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 appea-
led to 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 review
Of the injuries we had sustained, of the
causes which led to the war, and Of its progress
since It's commencement. This is rendered the
more necessary because of the misapprehensions
which have to some extent prevailed as to its
igin and true character. The war has been rep
resented as unjust and unnecessary, and as one of
aggression on our part upon weak and injured
enemy Such erroneous views, though enter
tanned by but few have been widely and extern
sioely circulated not only at home, but have been
spread throughout Mexico and the whole world
A more ef1ectual means could not have been de-
vised to encourage the enemy and protract the
war than to advocate and adhere to their cause,
and thus give them g aid and comfort.
Ii is a source of national pride and exultation,
that the great body Of our people have thrown no
such obstacles in the way OF the Government IN
prosecuting the war successfully, but have shown
themselves 10 be emnentIy patriotic, and ready
to vindcaie their country's honor and interests
at any sacrifice. The aIacrity aud promptness
with which our volunteer forces rushed TO the
field on their country's call, prove not only their
patriotism but their deep conviction that our
cause is just.
The wrongs which we have suffered from
Mexico almost ever since she became an indie
pendent rover, anu tUb 3duCHt VhNNi 49, 49,
which we have borne them, are without paral-
lei in the history of modern civilized nations
There is reason to believe that if these wrongs
had been resented and resisted in the first in
stance. the present war might have been avoided.
One outrage, however, permitted TO pass with i'm
punitv, almost necessarily encouraged the per-
pe;raiion OF another until at last Mexico seemed
10 attribute 10 weakness and indecision on our
part torbearance which was the offspring OF
magnanimity and of sincere desire to preserve
friendly relations with sister Republic
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her lndepen-
d.nce. which the United States were the first
anonr the nations to acknowledge, when she
commenced the system Of insult and spoIialion,
which she has ever since pursued. Our citizens
engaged IN lawful commerce were imprisoned,
tbeir vessels seized, and our flag insuled in her
norris. n money was wanted, the lawess seiz-
ire and coniiscation Of our merchant vessels and
tbeir cargoes was ready resource; and II, to
accomplish their purposes, it became necessary
IN imprson the owners. captains aud crews, 1t
was done. Rulers superseded rulers in Mexico
in rapid succession, but still there was 40 change
in this system of depreciation. The government
Of the United States made repeated reclamations
on behalf Of its citizens, but these were answer
ed by The perpetration Of new outrages. Proml-
ses Of redress made by Mexico in the most SOL
IL e