The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fcllor Citizens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.:
The annual meeting Of Congress is al.
ways an interesting event. The reprcscn-
tatives of tho States and Of The people, come
fresh from their constituents, to take coun.
sci together for the common good, after m
existence Of near three lourths Of n centn-
~, MS free and independent republic
The problem no longer remains To I've soly
ed, whether IMAM is capable Of self govern
Inent. The success Of our admirable sys-
TEN is a conclusive REPUTATION of the thco.
RIGS Of those in other countries, who main
tain that favored few nre born to ruc,
and that the mass Of mankind must be gov
crncd by forcc-one subject To arbitrary or
hereditary authority. The people arc the
only sovcreigns recognized by our consi-
tuition. Numerous cmigrants ofcvcry lin
cage and language, attracted by the civil
and religious freedom we enjoy, and By
our happy condition, annually crowd to our
shores, and transfer their hearts, not less
than their allegiance, 10 the country where
domain belongs alone TO the people. No
country has hcen 50 much favored, or
should acknowledge with deeper reverence
tho manifestations ofihc Divine protection.
An All-wise Creator directed and guided rs
in our infant struggles Cor freedom, md has
constantly watched over our surprising
progress, until We have become one al the
great nations of tho earth. Il is in conn-
try thus favored, and under Government
in which the executive mud legislative
branches hold their authority fnr limited
periods, nike from the people, and where
all arc responsible 10 their respective con.
s,i,aencies, That il is again IN. duty tn COM
municate with Congress upon the state 81
the Union aud the present condition Of pub.
lie u1nirs.
During the pas, year The mos, gratifying proc !
are presented. that our country has been bless
cd with n wide spread and universal prosperity.
There has been no period. since the oyernmcit
was founded, when all the industrial pursuits OF
our people have been more succ ss!ul. or when
labor in all branches of business has received a
faircr or better =, ward. From our abundance,
we have been enabled to perform the pleasing
du Of furnishing food for the starving millions
the boun,ics Of Providence at home such rs have
rarely fallen TO the lot OF any people, i, is cause
Of conpratulation that our Intercourse with Nil
tho powers Of the earth, except Mexico, continues
20 be Of an nmicabe character. Ii has ev, r been
our cherished policy 10 cultivate peace and good
will with all nations. and this policy has been
steadily pursued by me.
No change has tax en- place in orr relations
with Mexico since the adjournment Of the last
Congress. Tho war in which, The L. States were
forced 10 engage with the government OF tina.
country, still continues
,ccm it unnecessary, after the full oxposi-
ton OF them contained in my Message Of The 18th
Of May, 1876, and my annua. message ut the
commencement OF th. session OF Congress in De-
ccmber last, TO rciieratc the ions causes oil
complain, which We had against Mexico before
she commence h siilities. Il is sufficient on
the present occ sion to say, that the wanion vio-
lations OF the rights OF persons and property ei
our citizens committed by Mexico, her repeated
acts of bad faith through long series of years,
and her disregard OF solemn treaties stipulatire
for indemnity TO our injured citizens, no; only
constituted ample cause Of war on our part, but
were of such an aggravated character "a would
have iu titled u before the whole wosd in re.
sorting to this extreme remedy. With mn anx-
ious desire to avoid n rupture between the two
countries, VIC torbore for years ID assert oul
rights b. force, and continued 10 seek rcdrcs:
for the wrongs VIC had suffered, BY amicabc ne.
gocia,ions, in the hope that Mexico might yield
10 pacific counsels, and the demands OF Justice
In this hope we were disappointed. Our minis
ter OF peace, sent to Mexico, was insulting y re-
iccicd. The Mexican government refused ever
TO hear the term OF adjustment, which he was
authorized 10 propose, and finally, under wholly
uniustifiablo protexts, involved the two countries
in war, by invading territory OF the State OF Tex.
as, striking the frs, low, and shedding the blood
OF our citizens on our OVID soil.
Though the u. States were the ogc ics cd ma.
ton, exico commenced the war, and we were
compelled in self defence, 20 r, pei tho invader
and TO vind,cate The national honor and interests
by prosecuting il with vigor until VIC hould oh.
tain just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostilitcs had been common.
ced by Mexico, promptly communicated tina,
fact, accompanied with succinct ST tement o
our other causes OF complaint against Mexico. Il
Congress, and that ody by the act Of tho 18th
Of Nav, 1896, declared, that by the act Of the
Republic OF Mexico, state Of war exis, ed be.
tween that Government and the U. States. This
act d, clsring the war to exist b, the act Of the
Republic Of Mexico, and making provisions fol
its prosecution, to . speedy ind successful ter.
minsion, was passed wiah great unanmity b,
G. ngrcss, there being but two negative votes il
the Senate, and but fourteen in the House oil
Representatives The existence OF the war hav.
ing thus been declared by Congress, il became
my duty, under the constitution and the ! VS., tc
conduct and prosecute it. This duty has beer
performed, and though At every stage Of its pro-: