The Arkansas banner., 1846-04-15
TIE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LITERARY


 tone and feeling of this periodical, is more particularly addressed to the South and West. It should be liberally patronzed by them, and thereby evince the disposition on their part, to reward the mortorous claims of the Editor and proprietor upon those sections of the Union.
 We cheerfuIIy commend it to the public, as among one of the very best priodicals published in the United States.
 NATIONAL OFFENCES s-fRGstDExT's MEs- sAG2.-We lay before our readers the Mes sage of the President of the United States, recommending the immediate increase of our means of deience:-
 To he Senate ofhe Uniied Sfaics:
 In answer to the inquiry of the Senate, contained in their resolution of the IF in stant, whether, i'll my judgment, any cireum- stances connected with, or growing out of the foreign relations of this country, require at this time an increase of our naval or nili- tary force :9 and, If so, s.What those circum- stances are,o have to express the opinion that wise precaution demands such in- crease.
 In my annual message ofthe 2d of Deeem- Der last, l recommended to tue favorable consideration of Congress an increase of our naval force, especially of our steam navy, and the raising of an adequate military force to guard and protect such of our citizens as might think proper to emigrate to Oregon. Ginso tIot -ra,i.NI I lox recall or modify these recommendations On the co6trary, reasons exist which, in my Judgment, render il proper not only that they should be promptly carried into effect, but that additional provision should be made for tic public defence.
 The consideration of such additional pro- vision was brought before the approprile committees of the two houses ol Congress. in answer to calls made by them, m reports prepared, with my sanction, by the Seereta- " of War aad the Secretary of the Navy on the 29th of December and the 8th of Jan, last; mode of communication with Con gross not unusual and, under existing cir camsiances, believed to be most eligible i, Subsequent events have confirmed me i'll the opinion that these recommendations were proper as precautionary measures.
 It Is q wise maxim of the Father of his Country that ,'lo be prepared for war, Is one of the most efficient means of preserving peace;' and that avoiding occasions of ex- Pense by cnltlvating peace," we should '.re- member, also, that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to rePel Ii. The gen. eral obligation to perform this duty is greatly strengthened by facts known 10 the whole world. A controversy respecting the Orc gon territory now exists between the United States and Great Britain and while, as far as we know, the relations of the latter with all European nations are of the most pacific character, she is making unusual and extra ordinary armaments and warlike prepara- lions, naval and military, both at home and in her N orth American possessions.
 It cannot be disguised that, however sin cere may be the desire of peace, in the event of a rupture, these armaments and prepara- tions would be used against our country.- Whatever may have been the original pur- pose Qf these preparations, the fact is un- doubted that they are now proceeding, in part, at least, with view to the contingent t''aS'Stitt1 oi fl 8ol hitl tllC OIitGu pldttS The general policy of making additional warlike preparations was distinctly amour ced in the speech from the throne, as late as January last, and has since been reiterated by the ministers of the crown in both houses ol Parliament. Under this aspect ol our re- lations with Great Britain, cannot donb the proprlety of increasing our means of de- fence, both by land and sea. This can give Great Britain no cause of offence, nor in- crease the danger ot rupture. II, on the contrary, we should fold our arms in secu rity, and at last be suddenly involved in hos tilItes for the maintenance of OUT just rights without any adequate preparation, our res possibility to the country would be of the grav.st character. Should collision betweer the two countries be avoided, as sincerely trust it may be, the additional charge upoi : the treasury, in making the necessary prep . arations, will not be lost while, in the even ! ot such a collision, they would be indispen l sable fer the maintenance of our nationa [ rights and national honor.
 [ have seen no reason 10 change or modi ] ly the accommodations of my annual mes sage ln regard to the Oregon question. Ih, 9 notice to abfogate the treaty of the 9th O $ August, 1927, is authorized by the treaty 2 and cannot besregar5led as a warlllle meas $ ure ; and cannot withhold my strong con vlclion that it should be promptly given 1, The other recommendations are in conform fly with the existing treaty, and would allorc 5 to American citizens in Oregon no nor ? than the same measure ofprotection whicl ! has long since been extended To British sub iects in that territory.
 The slate of our relations with Mexico i | still in all unsettled condiiion Since tn meeting oi Congress another revolution ha taken place in that country, by which tn, ,, government has passed into the hands O new rulers. This event has procrastinaied and may possibly defeat the settlement O the difference between the United States an, that country. The minister of the Unite, States to Mexico, al the date of the last ad 1ices had not been received by the existin! authorities. Demonstrations of a charaete hostile to the United States continue to b made in Mexico, which have rendered i proper, ill my judgment, to keep nearly two thirds of our army on our southwestern iron h, T. .l,-. .t