Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-16
MESSAGE,
OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Felfo,U Citizens of the Senate and House Of
RepresentatiUes.

Representatives.
In resuming your labors in the service of the
people, it is subject of congratulation that there
has been no period in our past history, when all
the elements of national prosperity have been
so fully developed. Since your last session no
affecting dispensaton has visited our country
general good health has Observation-Disclosures
has crowned the tolls of the husbandmen, and
labor in all its branches is receiving an ample
reward, while education, science and art are
rapidly charging the means of social happi-
ness. The progress of our country in her ca
reer of greatness, not only in the vast extern
sion of our territorial limits and the rapid in
crease of our population, but in resources and
wealth, and in the happy condition of our peo-
Ne, is without example in the history of nations.
AS the wisdom, strength and benifcence of our
free institutions are unfolded, every day adds
fresh motives TO contentment, and fresh incen-
tives to patriotism. Our devout and sincere
acknowledgements are due to the Governor of
all good for the numberless blessings which our
beloved country enjoys.
1t is source of high satisfaction, to know
that the relations of the United States with all
other nations, with single exception, are of the
most amicable character. Sincerely attached
to the policy of peace, early adopted and stead
lily pursued, by this government, l have anx-
iously desired to cultivate and cherish friendship
and commerce with every foreign power The
habits of the American people are favorable to
the maintenance of such International harmony.
In adhering to this wise policy, preliminary
and paramount duty obviously consists IN the
protection of our national interests from en-
croachments or sacrifice, and our national hon.
or from reproach. These must be maintained
at any hazard. They admit of no compromise
or neglect, and must be carefully and constantly
guarded, in the vigilant vindicatlon. Collision
and conflict with foreign powers may sometimes
become unavoidable.
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 given no just cause for COM
plant to any nation, and have enjoyed the bles-
sings of peace for more than thirty years. From
policy so sacred to humanity, and so salutary
an its effects upon political system, we
should never be threatened voluntarily to depart.
The existing war with Mexico was neither
desired nor provoked by the United States
On the contrary, all honorable means were re-
sorted to, to avert it. After years ofendurance,
of aggravated and unredressed wrongs on our
part, Mexico in violation of solemn treaty stip-
ulations, and of every principle of justice recog-
nized by civilized nations, commenced HOSTILE
ties, and thus by her own act, forced the war
upon us.
Long before the advance of our army to the
left bank OF the Rio Grande, 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 on
the present occasion, condensed review OF
the injuries we had sustained, of the cause which
led to the war, and of its progress since its COM
mencement. This lie rendered the more neces-
sary because of the misapprehension which to
some extent prevail 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
erroneous views, though entertained by but few
have been widely and extensively circulated,
not only at home, but have been spread through
out Mexico, and the whole world. A more cf-
fectual means could not have been devised to
encourage the enemy, and protract the war,
than to advocate and adhere to this course, and
thus give them aid and comfort. 1t is source
of national pride and eXultatlon that the great
body of our people have thrown no such obsta-
cles in the way of the Government, in prosecu-
ting the war successfully, but have shown them
selves to be eminently patriotic, and ready to
vindicate their country's honor at any sacrifice.
The alacrity and promptness with which our
volunteer forces rushed 20 the field On the coun-
try's call proves, not only their patriotism, but
their deep conviction that our cause is just
The wrongs which we have suffered from Mex
leo, almost ever since she became an indepen-
dent power, and the patient endurance with
which we have bore them, are without parral-
ell in the history of modern civilized nations
There is no reason, however, that these wrongs
should be allowed to pass with impunity, which
almost necessarily encouraged the preparation
of others, until, at last, Mexico seemed to at
tribute to weakness and indicision on our part,
forbearance, which was the offspring of mag
nimity, and desire to preserve friendly rela-
lions between the two republics.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indepen-
dence which the United States were first amogst
the nations to acknowledge, when she COM
menced the system of insult and spiolation which
she has ever since pursued. Our citizens, en-
gagged in lawful commerce, were imprisoned
their vessels seized, and our flag insuted in their
ports! If money was wanted, the lawless sci
zure and confscation of our merchant vessels
and their cargoes was a ready resource. And
if to accomplish their purposes, tbecame neces-
sary to imprison the owners, captains, and
crews, it was done, Rulers superseded rulers
in Mexico. The government of the United
States made repeated acclimations on behalf of
Its citazens, but these were answered by the
preparation of new outrages. Promises of re-
dress made by Mexico in the most solemn form
were postponed or evaded.
The files and records of the Department of
state contain conclusive proofs of wrongs per-
petrated upon the property and persons of our
citizens by Mexico. and of wanton insults to
our national flag. The interpostion of our go
vernment to obtain redress was again and again
invoked under circumstances which no nation
invoked under circumstances which no nation
ought to disregard. 1t was hoped that these
outrages would cease; and that Mexico would
be restrained by the laws which regulate the
conduct of civilized nations, in their intercourse
with each other, after the treaty ofamity, COM
merce and navigation of the 9Th April 1881, was
concluded between the two republics. But this
homo soon moved to be vain.