Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-12-23
PRESIDENTS
WI ID s 8 A O. E!
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE
AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,:
| IN resuining your labors in the service OF
The people, il IS a subject Of congratnlarion
that there has been 40 period in our pas,
history. when all the clements OF national
prosperity have been so fully developed -.
Since our last session no Z fflic,ng dispen
saitons have visited our country-gcneral
good health has prevailed, and abundance
has crowned The toll of the husbandfnen,
and labor in all its branches is receiving
an ample reward, while educaiion, science
and art are rapidly enlarging the means of
social happiness. The progress of our
country in her career Of greatness, not
only IN tho vast extension of our territorial
mits, and the rep d increase of our popu-
lat on, but in resources and wealth, and IN
the happy condition of our people, is with
out example in the history of nations. A.
The wisdom, strength and benifcence Of
our flee institutions are unro.ded: every
day adds flesh motives TO conteniment, end
fresh Incentives to patriotism. Our deyout
and sincere acknowledgements are due to
The gracious Governor Of all good for the
number!ess bless ngs viii h our beloved
country enjoys.
IL is source Of high satisfaction, to
know that the relations of the u. States
with all other nations, with single excep
titn, are OF the most am cable charac err.
IS;nceFeIy attached 10 the policy of peace,
early adopted and steadily pursued. by tn S
government, have anxioasly desired 10
cultivate and cherish friendship and com.
merce with every foreign power. The
habits Of the American people are favor
able 10 The maintenance of such Internal on
al harmony. In adhering TO this W Sc poll
icy, preliminary and paramount duty OBJ
vlonsIy consists in The protection OF our
national nteres's from encro1chmens at
any hazard. They admit OF no compro
m sc or neglect, and must be carefully and
constantly guarded, in their vii giant vidica-
tiol. Collision and conflict with foreign
powers may sometimes become unavoidl-
bic.
Such has been our adherence TO dictates
Of justice in all our foreign intercourse,
that though steadily and rapidly advancing
in prosperity and power, we have no just
cause for complaint to any nation, and
have enjoyed the blessings Of peace more
iIan thirty years. From palicy 50 su
cred to humanity, and so saluar in its
effects upon our political system, we should
never be induced voluntarily 10 depart.
The existing war with Mexico. was
neither desired nor provoked by The Un ted
States. On the contrary, all honorable
means were resorted TO, to avert il. After
years Of endurance, Of aggravated and un-
led essed wrongs OH our part. Mexico, in
violation OF solemn treaty slipulations, and
every principle Of justice recognized by
| civilized nations, commenced b0sillties.
ard thus by her own act, forced war upon
us.
Long before the advance of our army 10
the leit bank of the Rio Grande we had
ample cause of war against Mexico, and
had The u. S aics resor:ed 10 this eXirem-
ty. we nigh, have appealed 10 the whole
civilized world for the business OF our
cause.
deem it to be my duty to present 20 you
on the present occasion, condensed re-
view Of The injuries we had sustained, OF
he C" uses which led to the war, and Of its
progress since lis commencement. hts
is rendered The more necessary be cause oil
the misnPprehension VIII CHI to some extent
prevail rs TO lis origin and true character.
The war has been represented as urlust
and unnecessary, and as one of aggression
on our part, upon weak and injured enc
my. Such erroneous views, though enter
taued by bur few, hive been widely and
ex ensively circn.aied, not only at home,
bu; have been spread throughput Mexico,
and the whole world A more etfectuaI
means could not have been devised TO en-
courage tie enemy, ard prot'act tie war.
than To advocate and adhere 10 this course,
and thus give them aid aud comfort. II is
source Of pride and exultaton that the
great body oi cur peopls have thrown no
such obstacles in The way OF the Govern
men', in prosecuting the war successfully.
! but have shown themselves 10 be emineni!y
patriotic, and ready 10 vindicate The then
| couniry's honor at any sacrifice.
The alacrily ard promplness with which
our volunteer forces rushed into the field
on the counlry's call, proves, not only
their PATRIOTS m. bat their deep conyic ion
that our cause is just. The wrongs which
we have suffered rom Mexico. almost ever
since she boc1me an independent power.
and the patient endurance with which we
have borne them, are without parai Ell
IN the HISTORY of civ lied nations. There
| is no reason, however, that these wrongs
should b. allowed to pass with mpuhliy.
which almost necessarily encouraged the
| perpelfa ion uf cjhers, until, NJ last. Mex.
co seemed to a',rbue 10 weakness and IN
decision on our part, q torhearance, which
was ,ihe offering Of magnanimily, and
desire to preserve friendly relations be
tween The two republics.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her ~
dependence, which the United States were
lamonc the nations first to acknowledge,
when she commenced The sys.em oil insult
and spoilai,Cn that she has ever since per
sued. Our ciuzens. engaged in lawful
commerce. were impfiSoned-thetrv vessels
seized. and our flag insul'ed in their ports
II money was wanted. the lawless Sc zure
and confiscation OF our merchant vessels
and their cargoes was read ~ resource. =
And If to accomplish Their purposes, II be
came necessary 10 lmprison tie owners
eaniains and crews, il was done. Rnier:
suoe tceded rules in Mexico. The govern
ment of lie United States made repeated
rcclamations on behalf of lis citizens. bu