Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-27

and has since been reiterated by The ministers
the crown in both Houses OF Parliament. Cnde
this aspect oi our relations with Great Britain,
cannot doubt the propreiy Of increasing on
means OF defence, both BY land and sea. I'M
can give Great Britain 10 cause OF offence, no
increase the dangerot rupture. ii On The con
,rary. We should fold our arms in security, ar
at last be suddenly involved " hos'iii'es Tor ID
maintenance OF our just rights, without an
ADEQUATE preparation, our Responsibility 10 III,
country waa,a Ne OF the gTdrest character
Should collision between Inc Two countries h'
avoided. as sincerely trust il may be, the addi
| tional charge upon the treasury in making IN,
necessary prep; ralionS, will not be LOST while
in The event If such a collision, they would o:
indispensable for the maintenance of cur natlona
riYhi. aud rational honor
have seen no reason 10 change or modify Inc
recommendations oil my annual message III re-
| gard 10 he OREGON question. The notice TO ao
rogate the !rcaty Of The tlh OF August, 1877, Is
autho. lied hy tic featy ilseii and cannot pe re-
sarded as a waTike measure; ana ! cannon
| Withhold IL, stiung conviction ;ial ! sGonld ps
promptly given The other recommendations
| are in conformity with the existing treaty, aud
woull afford 10 American citizens IN Oregon nc
more ,han the same measure OF pro!ectioh wn'ch
| has lone since heen extended 10 British subjects
| in that territory.
The STATE .. orr relations with Mexico is still
| in an unsettled condition. Since the meeting ol
| Congress another revelation has taken place IN
thai coualfy. BIZ which the Government has
| rassed into the hands u new !r,crs. his e:eh'
| has prccras'inalcd, ard may possibly de'ea' lis
settlement OF the differences between The unlieC
States and tia; country. The Minister OF NE
United States 10 Mexico, n Tie date Of me iaS'
advices, had not been received by ne ezisahs
authorities Demonstrations 81 acnafacer nos
tile 10 the United States continue TO be niade IN
Mexico, which has rendered il proper, IN my
Judgment. 10 seep nearly iwo-ihrGS Of our army
Oh our Southwestern frontier. IN doing his AMY
Of he regular military posts have been reduced
,oa small force Inadequate IL their defence should
an emergency arise.
In view of these circumstances, i is my
'.iuigmea," that "au increase g our naval and
military force is al this time required, 10 place
ne counirv il d suitable stale Of dc.e3ce. Al
the same time il is NY sealed purpose 10 pursue
such course al policy as may be best calculated
10 preserve, both with Great Brain and Mexico,
an honorable peace: which nothing will so eflec-
lrally promote as unanimiiy il our councils, and
firm maintenance OF all our jns. tights.
" : : JAMES n. POLK.
WASHINGTON, March "a 1916.
The Clerk havins read The MESSAGE,
II.
and ordered . be printed
i commenting on he above message, The
Union says
The message is now before the counirv-a
plain. frank, wel!-cOnsilc-at statement Of iat;s
and iniefences The President repeats The re-
concentrations which be made in his annual
message. He sees 10 cause 70 recall or El0di!r
those ,ecommcnda,ijns. He had recommended
an increase oil our naval force--especiay
Of our steam navy--and Inc raising of
an ADEQUATE military force 10 Protect cur
emigrau,, 10 c-cson. He is only the more
confirmed in The propriey OF these mea-
>ures; and indeed, Of making additional provision
tor,he public defence And these additional pro-
visions had bcen previously submitted, with his
sanction, by The Secretaries OF War and Navy,
10 the appropriate committees OF boih houses.
The President urges these preparations TO be
promptly made. Most OF them are strictly COM
paibic with Gen. Washington'S maxim OF pre-
aa;;nr in a time al peace Tor state OF var
rhev nav even assist rs in the progress Of any
new negotiation, that may be proposed 10 u, to
preserve the peace. We DO hot expcc; 10 use
hem in anv immediate war with Great Britain !;
Tor We are sincerely DESTROYS Q! peace, ard, q
the President says we trust all collision between
the Two countries may he avoided. R:i il War
should be forced upon US these preparations
.wou,d be Indispensable iof The maintenance oil
our national rights and national honor RuI
England, whilst she processes tesire for peace,
is preparing for war Why should we not in:i-
tate her example, We hoTe and believe that
we sna, be saved from the necessity OF using
Them. They are precautionary mcasn9cs, whirh
: ~ no, probsby be employed-but WHO can be
certain that there is no danger? Our relations
...,h They
cuire additional preparations 10 meet them.
Whilst, there.,re, re expect peace, i seems
The part Of statesmen 10 prepare for either Tor
,upc. These are Inc maxims which we have
uniformly inculca,ed since the meeting OF Con
gress.
Along with these recommendations the Presi-
den, lakes care 10 repeat the other measures
which his annual message proposes, AID lie most
prominent nt these is the no'icc, which, be ex'
nresses his strong conviction and desire, shOnm
be promptly given. Such is the policy ne pro-
poses, and The tone in which he addresses Inc con
sti,utci authorities OF his country. In word
he eyp,csses il IS his opinion, 'ihat AN increase
ofoor naval ard military force is al this time re-
ouired. to place the country in suitable state
q; ,ccnce At The same time, The emphaicaily
pronooncesN il is mr. settled purpose TO pursue
such course Of policy as may DC best calcnla
lej 10 preserve, both with Grea, Britain and Mex
ico, a., .oaorabc pcacc, rh,ek nothing mil 50 eF|e~
ally pronioic as unaa,";!iy ~ ear toantefs, and
firm 7aaintcnancce If all ar jts' rights.
These are wise suggestions. They are calcu
lated 10 call Tor wise precautionary measures
~ certain importaol contingencies, "a, ~ 80
importance Of which compensatcs in sumo
degree Ior the ,.'i,cr'ei.'y CT 'h' contingency
Yet his recommendations should not properl,
! create any thing like war PANIC We hope 10
peace: we will 90 all in ON power 10 preserve
/ an honorable peace. We do not dread war; ye
war may possibly come; and, ;..e.eioT,, !; wou
he best tot 10 con, pfcc@".isas against it. Will
these suggestions sa;iSlylhe National In,ellisen
Ger and the clamorers2 Can we hope il vii
satisfy those who demand Of Ike President 'ha
he should - =. ..'J:s pos'ey TO 50 " wis
and sagacions power as Eusland, and tell he
AT cnce what Terms he vii alccT:? whether b
will compromise al all, and upon what terms b
will compromises Nothing will probably salts
IS he National !nleliigencer, and those wh
speak through il, except another call from III
Seos,s, demanding from tue Pre-, Len; :.:e pr
else terms on which he will negotiate with Eng