Democratic banner., 1846-12-21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
,eUo,r.rit;-euso of the Senate,

Il IL IL y
FeNov-citi-enso Of the Senate,
and Louse IF Representatives:
In resuming your labors in the service of
the people, it is a subjectof congratulation
that there has been no period in our past
HISTORY when all the elements of national
prosperity have been SO fully developed.
ISince your last session, no affecting dISpen-
~sation has visited our c%ountr! general good
Health has nrCvailcd; ahund. zee Las crown
ed the toll of the hnshandmaa: an! labor in
all its branches is receiving an amrle re-
ward, while education. science and T." 'r'S
are rapidly charging the means OF s"r:f!
happiness. The progress of our country
in her career of greatness, not only In the
vast extensions of our territorial limits, and
1.-THE rapid increase of our population, but III
resources and wealth. and in the happy con-
dition of our people, is without example in
the history of nations.
As the wisdom. strength and hrnefirencc
lof our free institutions are unfnlded. every
dav adds frpsh motives to cn''en'mcnt. and
fresh incentives to patriotism.
Our devout & sincere Acknowledgements
are due to the gracious Giver of all good
for the numherlr<s blessings which our be-
loved country enjoys.
1t is a source of high satisfaction to know
that the relations of the United States Wit
all other nations, with a single exception
are of a most amicable character. Sincere
lv attached to the policy of peace, early a
Idopted and steadily pursued by this govern
P ment, I have ~anxiously desired to cultivate
y and cherish friendship and commerce will
: every foreign power. The spirit and habits
n of the American people, are favorable tt
a the maintenance of such international har
mony. In adherirg to this wise policy,
n preliminary and paramount duty obviousl.
consists in the protect of our national in
terests from Entertainments or sacrifice
and our national honor from reproach.-
l-lThese must be maintained at any hazard
eIThey admit ofno compromise or neglect, an
4 must be scrupulously and constantly guard
ed. IT, their vigilant vindication, collision
and conflict with foreign powers may some
ltimes become unavoidable. Such has bee
our scrupulous adherence to the dictates O
h Justice, in all u foreign intercourse, that
though steadily and rapidly advancing i
s. prosperity and power, we have given n
lie Just cause of complaint to any nation, an
III have enjoyed the blessings OF peace fo
more than thirty years. From a policy
If sacred to humanity, and so salutary in i
effects upon our political system, we new
IS should be induced voluntarily to depart
Jri the existing war with Mexico was neiil
a. ter desired nor provoked by the Unite
an States. On the contrary, all honorah
means were resortcd to, to avert it. Aft
of endurance Exaggerated and unr'
to dressed wrongs on our art, Me>:'' !" -
he ~lation of solemn treaty stipulatiors, -.
he every principle Of justice, recognized
.etIciyilized nations, commenced hostilitie
thus, by her own act, forced the W;
u,ou us. Long before the advance of o.
armv 10 the left bank of the Rio Grand
st we had ample cause of w"r against Mike
LAND had the United States rtsorted to til
te EXTREMITY, we might have appealed TO Il
a whole civilized world for tie justice of d
IF cause.
i deem It my duty to present to you,
or the present occasion, a condensed revie
If of the injuries we hid sustained, of tt
causes which led to the war, and of its pr
,rsss since IFS commencement This
horauS"