The Arkansas banner., 1847-12-20
Presidents Message,
FslSsG- cSt;ssns sf GAe Sersts
 and Hosse of RepvesfalailsSs.

 and pf the people eosne fresh fron their constituents to take epansel together Gos the common gnoi Al t=S an existence of three quarters oi century q fro and independent Eepahlie, the problem no longer remains Co be solved, whether man is eapa- hle of self- government. The sneeess of oar admI- rahs system is conclusive reiutatioa of the theo ri~s 0f those tn other countries, who maintain tA' favored few are born to rule and that the lasS o mankind mus' be governed by iosee.
 Subject to no arbitrary hereditary authority, tise people are the only sovereigns recognized 0y o'ir eoustita.ioa. Numerous emigTants, ot every me aes aaA language attracted by the civil aud religi- ous freedom we enjoy. and by ouI hapPy condition, -eoatinnally crowd to our shores. transfer theiT kearts not lees taa ther allegiance, to the country where Aominiou belongs 10 the people
 No country has been % much favored. or should Aekaswlsdgs. with deeper reverence. the maniies- tations of the Divine protection, An all "ise Gre atnT diieeted snd guarded in our infant struggle fos freedom. and has constantly watched over our sufprsang progress, until We have become one oi the great nations of tho earth. II is n county thas favoreo. and under government in which tn" executive and legislative branches hold their solhof- ity for limited periods alike from the people, and where all are responsible 10 the respective eonstt ueneies, that tt is again my duty to communicate with Congress upon the state oi the Uh4n, aud ihs psessnt condition ot public aiai's.
 y During the past year. the most sraiIi, ing pfoo's are presented that country has been olrssed with widespread and universal prosperity Thete has been no period since the government was ioun- ded. when all the industrial puFssits of our people have been more successful; or when sas"r. ia all branches of business has received tater CT better reward From our sbun3ancr, we have been eita- hled o perform the pleasing duty o furnishing iooi for the starving millioas of less favored eoua'es
 In the endowment of the boan;ies of Providence, at home such as have rarely fallen to the lot oi any people. it is cause of congratulation that our inter course with all the powers of the eafth exeep. Mex ieo eontinues 10 be of an amicable character.
 IL has ever been our cherished policy, 10 cuiti- vste peace and good will with all natoiss nd sis psliey has been steadily pursued by me.
 No change has taken place m our relations with Msxies since the adjournment of the last Congress The wal in which the [. States were forced 10 en- gage with the government of that eou'kry. still cou tinaes
 deem it unnecessary after the full exposition of them, eonsained in my me'sage ot the iih of May 1S46, and my annual message, at the conmsnee' meni of the Session of Congress. n December last to reiierate the eries of complaint which we had against Mexico, before she commenced hostiIltIes
 II is sufficient on the present occasion to say, ihs' the wanton violations of the rights oI person and property ef our citizens committed by Mexico; her rereste acts of bad faith, through long series of years and her d>seg ard of solemn treaties, spua- ting for indemnity to our injured c,uZens, no ouy constituted ample cause of war on our part. hR' were of saeh aggravated character as woald have justified us beinrr the whole wori. in rssortiBs Id
  avoid q rupture between the two countries we for bofr EDr years to assert our clear rights by force sni eontinued 10 seek redress for the wrongs We sahsreL, by amieabie negotiations, "a hopes ilia Aexieo might yield to pacihc eonnsels and inc de mands ofluSiice. In this hc pe were dIaappoin. ted. Our Minister of peace sent to Mexico, Wa' insultingiy rejected. The Mexican Government re fused even to hear the terms of adjustment whiei he 4as authorized to proPose. and hnsliy. undei wholly aujuSti6able preieXts, Involved the twC countries sa ~M by invading the territory of Inc State of Texss. striking the first blow. and shed ding the btssd of our citizens on our own soil.
 Though the C. states were the aggrieved nation Mexico commenced the war; and we were compe ed, ib seIf-deieaee 10 tepel the inv adef and Viud cafe the national honor aud interests. by prosecu ting it with vignr, until could obtain just ala honorable peace.
 On learning that hostiiities had been commenced by Mexeo. promptly communicated ,ha, fact, ac eompanied with A succlnet statement of our otite esuses of complaint against Mexico to Congress end that boiy. by the act of the 18th of May. iSi6 declared that by an SC, of ,he Republic of Mexico state of war existed between that Government an, the United States. This act, declaring jhe war l' exist. by the act Of the RepabIie of Me1co,' making provision for its prosecution 10 speedy and successful termination. was passed wilh grea onanimty 0v Congress; there being but two mega tive votes in the Senate. and but l4 in the House O Representatives.
 The existence of ihs war having thls been de elared by Congress. Il became my duty, under th, Constitution and the lass, to conduct and prosr cute r. This duty has been performed. and thougs at every stage of it's progress. I have manifested willingness 10 terminate Il by just peace, Mexico has refused 10 seredc 10 any terms which could b' accepted by the United States, consistently h n, national baaoE and interests
 The rapid and brilliant successes oi our arms anC the vast extent of the enenys territory winch hac heen and conquered, before the close of ths last session of Congress, were tuiiy known 10 tha body. Since that time he wal has been rrogecu ted with increased energy; and l graife,l 't state. with success which commands unversel ad mirstion. History pFeseNts no parallel of ST man, glorious victories achieve. by suy nation within st short period.
 Our army, regulars a'sd yolguteeIs have coyere, themselves wih imperishsbe honors. Wheieve and whenever our forres have encountered ,he enc my, though he vas in vastly superior numbers ar, ofterentrenched in fortified pnsi,ions of bis ,., selecfon. and of gtea strength, he has been ,ei.a ted. Too much praise cannot be bestowed ur.n, our officers and men. rega!srs and Noiah,eers an, theh galiAniry, discsJslne ndomlable courage all, perseverance, ,-sli seeking the posts of danger an, vieing with each other in deed. ol noble daiiny
 While every patriots heart must exult. and us national pride animate every bosom, In b-hnIdiD, the high proofs of euurage, eohsumnaie militar skill. steady diseipane. snd humanity 10 the van quished enemy, exhibited by our gallant army, in nation is called To mourn oyrr the o,s of man brave ctEcers and soldiers who have fallen in h. fence of their eountry's honor and interests Tta brave dead met their mechanically iaic n loreig, land. nobiy ',IschargIbg their duty and with tbeI sonnsry's lag waving triumphanily in the face c the koe. Their patriotic dsrd3 are justly appf.cia sed. spsi wili long be remembered by their gratefl eo@msrym~n. The parental care of the goVernmen ffey loved and served should be extended to thei surviving families.
 shortly sftet the adjournment of lhe last sessiol ef Congress. the gratifying intelligence vas teceis y~4 ~EA d IA 0..-~ I.atn .n1 tAe city ef Vera Cruz and with it the strong C.si sf San Juan de ulica. by which ii vas defended - Believing that sfter these, and other successes & kcncrabls to our arms and so disastrous to Mexico the period was propitions 10 afford her another op posiasisy. if she thoaghi proper 10 embrace R, !, eater into negotiations tcr peace, a commissions 9as srpciat~ 70 proceed to the head quarters of ou army. with fssfs power Co enter begoiiaiions ant es esaetade just snd honorable treaty of peace fie was nof directed to make any new oyeriares 0