The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-12-25
PRESIDENTS MASSAGE.
FcHJIc Clti-ens QrMe Senafs,

vice of the people, it is a subject of
congratulation that there has been
no period in our past history, when
all the elements oinational prosper
ity have been so fully dcveloped.-
Since your last session, no affecting
dispensation has visited our country;
general good health has prevailed;
abundance has crowned the toll of
the husbandman; and labor in all its
branches is receiving an ample re-
ward, while education, science, and
the arts are rapidly charging the
means of social happiness. The pro-
gress of our country in her career Of
greatness, not only in the vast ex-
tension OF our territorial limits and
the rapid 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 be-
ncfcence Of our free institutions are
nnfolded, every day adds fresh mo-
tlyes TO contentmcnt, and fresh in
centiyeS TO patriotism.
Our devout and sincere aclnowl-
Judgements are due to the gracious
Giver of all good, for the numberless
blessings which our beloved coun-
try enjoys.
1t is a source of high satisfaction
to know that the relations of the u.
States with all other nations, with
single exception, are of the most am
icab!c character. Sincerely attach
ed to the policy of peace, early a
dopted and steadily pursued by this
government, have anXiously dcSi-
red to cultivate and cherish friend
ship and commerce with every for
eign power. The spirits and habits
of the American people arc favora-
bic to the maintenance of such in
ternational harmony. In adhering
to this wise policy, a preliminary and
paramount duty obviously consists
In the prote ction of our national in
tcreStS from Cncroachments or sacri-
flee, and our national honor from re-
proach. These must be maintained
at any hazard. They admit of no
compromise or neglect, and must be
scrupulously and constantly guard.
ed. In their vigilant vindication,
collision and conflict with foreign
powers may sometimes become un-
avoidablc. Such has been our Scru-
pulous adherence to the dictates OF
justice, in all our foreign intercourse,
that, though steadily and rapidly adj
vancing 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 thir-
ty years. From a policy so sacred
TO humanity, and so salutary in its
effects 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 were resorted to
TO avert it. After years of endurance
of aggravated and unredressed
wrongs on our part, Mexico, in vio-
lation of solemn treaty stipulations,
and of every principle of Justice re-
cognized by civilized nations, COM
menced hostilities, and thus, by her
own act, forced the war upon US
Long before the advance of our ar
my to the left bank ofthe Rio Grandc,
we had ample cause of war against
Mexico; and had the United States
resorted to this extremity, we might
have appealed to the whole civilized
world for the justice Of our cause.
| deem it to be my duty TO present
to you a condensed review Of the
injuries we had sustained, of the
causes which led to the war, and of
itsprogress since its commencement.
This is rendered the more nccessa-
ry because Of the misapprehensions
which have to some extent prevail
cd as to its origin and true character.
The war has been represented as
unjust and unnecessary, and as one
of aggression on our part upon a
weak and injured enemy. Such en-
roneous views, though entertained
but by few, have been widely and
extensively circulated not only at
home, but have been spread through
out Mexico and the whole world
A more eifectual means could not
have been devised to encourage the
enemy and protract the war than to
advocate and adhere to their cause,
and thus give them Z" aid and com
fort"
1t is source of national pride and
exultation, that the great body Of
our people have thrown no such ob-
stacles in the way Of the government
in prosecuting the war successfully
but have shown themselves to be en-.
inently patriotic, and ready to vim
dictate their country's honor and In.