Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,:


House OF REPRESENTATIVES,:
The annual meeting of Congress is always
ar, interesting event. The Representatives of
the States and of the People come fresh from
their constituents to take counsel together for
the common good. After an existence of
ncary three fourths of century, as II free
and independent republic, the problem no
longer remains to be solved whether man is
capable of self government The success of
our admirable system is a conclusive retiita-
ton of the theories of those in other countries
who maintain thit =" favored few" are born
20 rule, and that the mass of mankind must be
governed by force. Subject to no arbitrary or
hereditary authority, the people are the only
sovcreigns recognized by our constitution
Numerous emigrants of every lineage and
language, attracted by the civil and religious
freedom we enjoy, and by our happy condi-
ti0n, annually crowd to our shores, and trans
Ter their heart, not less than their allegiance,
to the country whose dominion belongs alone
to the people.
No country has been so much favored or
should acknowledge with deeper reverence
the manifestations of the Divine protection.
An all-wise Creator directed aud guarded us
ia our infant struggle for freedom, and has
constantly watched over our surprising pro-
gress, until we have become one of the great
nations of the earth.
1t is in country thus favored, aud under
a government in which the executive and leg
isatvc branches hold their authority for n
limited period, alike from the people, and
where all are responsible tor their respective
constituencies, that it is again my dutyto com-
mllnicate with Congress upon the stak of the
LINTON, and the present condition bubble
VS.
tg the past year the most 9 wing
presented that our country en
n widespread and unive s.
la. .... =. s1;cctesa II 10 l i:s! ID g.
Twas founded, when ull s.
licablid suits of our people have bd IRE
GsSfiul, or when labor in all bra q OF
us has received fiarer or b " re-
MY From our abundance we ha been
enabled to perform the pleasing duty kof fur
"ishins food for starving millions 09's' ia
vOred countries.
In the enjoyment of the bounties of Provi'
sieuce at home, such as have rarely fallen to
t!c lot of any people, it is cause of congratu-
iation that our intercourse with all the powers
OF the earth except Mexico, continues to be Of
au,icable character.
1t has ever been our cherished policy &c
cultivate peace and good will with all nations
and this 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 tn,
United Suites were forced to engage witt
the government of that country still continues
deem it unnecessary, after the full expo
siton of them, contained in my message o
the eleventh of May, 1916, and in my annua
message at the commencement of the session
of Congress in December last, to rcitcrate tn
serious causes of complaint which We hat
arajnst Mexico before she commenced hos
tilitcs.
1t is sufficient on the present occasion to sa
that the wanton violation of The rights of per
son and property otour citizens committed b.
Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith thrc
IA long series of years, and her disregard q
solemn treaties. stipulating for indemnify t
our injured citizens, not only constituted am
ME cause of war on our part, but were @
such an aggravated character as would Inv
justified us before the wole world in resortn
10 this extreme remedy. With an anxious de
sire to avoid rupture between the two cou
cries, we forebore for years to assert our clel
rights by force, and continued to seek redres
for the wrongs we had suffered by amcabl
negotiation, in the hope that Mexico migl
Weld to pacific councils and the demands {
justice. In this hope we were dsappolnte,
Our Minister of peace sent to Mexico was il
suhingly rejected. The Mexican governnier
refused even to hear the terms of adjustment
which he vas authorized to propose aud t
nnlly, under wholly unjustifiable pretexts, il
VOWED the two countries in war, by invadiIl
the territory of the State of Texas strikiIl
thc first blow, aud shedding the blood of o,
citizens on our own soil.
Though the United Suites were the aggrie