Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellow Citizens ofthe Senate
and of the House nf Rpnrf

mon good. After an existence of near three
tourthS OF a century as a free and independent
republic. the problem no longer remains to be
solved, whether man is capable ofself government
The success of our admirable system is conclu-
sive refutaton of the theories of those in other
countries who maintain that "favored few" are
born to rule, and that the mass of mankind must
be governed by force Subject to no arbitrary or
hereditary authority, the people are the only SOW
ereign recognized by our constitution. Numer-
Gus emigrants OF every lineage and language, at
tracted by the civil and religious freedom we en-
JOY, and by our happy condition, annually crowd
to our shores, and transfer their heart, not less
than their allegiance to the country whose domi-
MON belongs alone to the people.
No country has been so much favored or should
acknowledge with deeper reverence the nantes
tations of the Divine protection. An all-wiso
Creator directed and guarded us in our infant
struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched
over our surprising progress until we have become
one ofthe great nations of the earth,
is in country thus favored and under
government in which the executive and legsla-
tive branches hold their authority orimited peri
DDS, alike from the people, and where all are re-
sponslble for their respective constituencies that
1t is again my duty to communicate with Con-
gress upon the state of the Union, and the pres
ent condition ofpublic afftrs.
During the past year the most gratifying proofs
are presented that our country has been blessed
with a wide spread ami universal prosperity
There has been no period since the government
was founded, when all the industrial pursuits of
our people have been more successful, or when
labor in all branches of business has received
tairer or better reward From our abundance we
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty
Of furnishing food for the starving millions of less
favored countries.
In the enjoyment of the bounes of Provid-
ence at home, such as have rarely fallen in the
lot of any people, it is cause of congratnatlon,
that our intercourse with all the Powers of the
earth, except Mexico, continues to be of an ami
cable character.
1t has ever been our cherished policy to cult
yate peace and goodwill with all natons anlthis
policy has been steadily pursued by me-
No change has taken place in our relations
with Mexico since the adjournment of the last
Congress. The war in which the United States
were toced to engage with the government of
that country still continues.
deem 1t unnecessary, after the full exposition
OF them contained lnmy message of the eleventh
OF May, 1916, and in my annual message at the
commencement Of the session of Congress IN De-
cember lust, to reiterate the serious causes of
complaint which we had against Mexico before
she commenced hostilities.
1t is sufficient on the present occasion to say
that the wanton violation of the rights of person
and property of our citizens committed by Mex
leo, her repeated acts of bad faith thro' long
series Of years, and her disregard of solemn
treaties, stipulating for indemnity to our injured
citizens, not only constituted ample cause OF war
on our part, but were Of much an aggravated
character as would have justified us before the
whole world in resortlng to this extreme remedy.
With an anxious desire to avoid rupture be-
tween the two countries, we forbore for years to
assert our clear rights by force and continued to
seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by
amlcabe negotiation, in the hope that Mexico
might yield to pacific councils and the demands
fju5tIce In this hope we were disappointed.
Our Minister Of Peace sent to Mexico was insult
ingy rejected The Mexican government re.
fused even to hear the terms of adjustment
which he WAS authorized to propose; and finally,
under wholly uajuslilabe preteXts, involved the
two countries in war, by invading the territory Of
the State ofTeXas, striking the first blow, and
shedding the blood Of our citizens on our own
soil.
Though the United States were the aggrieved
nation, Mexico commenced the war; ard we were
compelled, in self defence, to repel the invader,
and to ylndicate the n1tional honor and interests
by prosecuting it with yigor until we could obtain
just and honorable peace,
On learning that hostilities had been connenc-
ed by Mexico, promptly communicated that
fact, accompanied with a suCcinct statement Of
our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to
Congress; and that body, by the act the 18th of
May, 1916, declared TINT "by the act Of the Re-
public of Mexico, a state of war exists between
that government and the United States"-ths
net declaring "the war to exist by the act Of the
republic of Mexico" and making provision for its
prosecution ''to a speedy and successful lermina-
ton" was passed with great unanlmity by Con
gress, there being bat two ne ative votes in the
Senate, and but fourteen in the House Of Repre-
sentatlves,
The existence Of the war thus having been de-
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under
the constitution and the laws, to conduct and
prosecute it. This duty h1s been performed; and
though, at every stage of its progress, | have
manifested a willingness to terminate it by just
peace, Mexico has refused to accedeto any terms
which could be accepted by the United States,
consistently with the national honor and inter-
est.
The brilliant ana rapid success of our arms and
the vast extent Of the enemy's territory which
had been overun and conquered, before the close
Of the last session of Congress were fully known
to that body. Since that time, the war has been
prosecuted with increased energy and | am gra-
tilted to state, with success which commands
universal admiration. History presents no paraI-
lei of 80 many glorious victories achieved by amy
nation within so short period Our army re-
gulars and volunteers, have covered themselves
with mDerishable honors Whenever and where
ever our forces have encountered the enemy
though he was vastly superior in numbers, often
retrenched in fortified positions Of his own selec-
ton, and of great strength, he has been defeated
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon ou
officers and men, regulars and volunteers TO
their galantry, discipline, indomltabe courage
and perseverance, all seeking the post of danger
and yleing with each other in deeds ofnobe dar
ing.
While every patriots heart must exnt, and
Just national pride animates every bosom, in be
holding the high proof of courage, consummat
military Skill steady discipline, and humanity t
the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gaar
army, the nation is called to mourn over the los
Of many brave officers and soldiers who hav
fallen in defence of their country's honor and ii
terests The brave dead met their meanchol
fate in foreign land nobly discharging thei
Duty and with their country's flag waving tri
umphantly in the face Of their foe. Their pal
riotic deeds are Justly appreciated, and will lon
be remembered by their greatful countrymen.-
The paternal care of the government they love
and served should be extended to their survivin
families.
Shortly after the adiournment of the last SO,