The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
FeILoaC-citizens Of the Senate
and House of Representatives:

and of the people come fresh from their constitu
ents to take council together for the common good.
After an existence of near three-tourths of a centu
ry as a free and independent republic, the problem
no longer remains to be solved, whether man is ca
pabe of sclf-govcrnment. The success OF our adj
mirabe system is a conclusive retutatlon OF the the
cries of those in other countries who MAINTAIN that
" n favored few" are born torue, and that the mass
of mankind must be governed by force Subject to
no arbitrary or hereditary authority the people are
the only soveregns recognized by our constitution.
Numerous emigrants of every lineage and language
attracted 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 dominion be-
longs alone to the people.
No country has been so much favored, or should
acknowledge with deeper reverence the manifesto
tons of the Divine protection. An all-wse Creator
directed and guarded us in our infant struggles for
freedom, and has constantly watched over our sur
prisng progress, until we have become one oil tAe
great nations of the earth.
1t is in a country thus favored, and under gov
eminent in which the executive and legislative
branches hold their authority for limited periods,
alike from the people, and where all are responsible
to their respective constituencies that 1t IS again my
duty to communicate with Congress upon the
state of the Union, and the present condition OF pub
! lie affairs
During the past year the most gratifying proofs
are presented that our country has been blessed
with widespread and universal prosperity There
has been no period since the government was found
cd, when all the industrial pursuits OF our people
have been more successful, or when labor III all
branches of business has received tairer or better
reward. From our abundance, we have been en-
abed to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food
for the starving millions of less favored countries.
In the enjoyment of the bounties of Providence at
| home such as have rarely fallen to the lot OF any
people, it is cause of congratulations that our inter
course with all the powers of the earth except Mex
leo, continues to be of an amicable character
1t has ever been cherished policy to cultivate
peace and good will with all nationsi and this policy
has been steadily pursued by me. $50
No change has taken place IN our relations Win
| Mexico since the adjournment Of the last Congress-
The war in which the United States were forced to
engage with the government OF that country still
continues,
| deem it necessary, after tho full exposition of
them contained in my message Of the eleventh of
| MAY, 1916, and i'll my annual message at the com
mencement of the session Of Congress in December
last, to rcitcrate the serious causes of complaint
! which we had against Mexico before she commence
! ed the hostilities.
1t is sufficient the present occasion to say that
the wanton violation Of the rights of person and
property of our citizens committed by Mexico, her
repeated acts of bad faith, through long series OF
years. and her disregard OF solemn treaties, Stlpuat-
| ing for indemnity to our injured citizens, rot only
constituted ample cause for war on our part, but
of such an aggravated character as would have
justified us before the whole world in resortng to
| this extreme remedy. With an anxious desire to
avoid rupture between the two countries, we fore
bore for two years to assert our clear right by
force and continued to seek redress for the wrongs
we had suffered by amicable negotiation, i'll the
hope that Mexico might yield to pacific councils and
the demands Of justice. In this hope we We're dis
appointed. Our minister Of peace sent to Mexico
was nsultingy rejected. The Mexican government
refused even to hear the terms OF adjustment which
he authorized to propose; and finally, under
wholly unjustifabe preteXts, involved the two
countries in war, by invading the territory Of the
State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding
the blood of our own citizens on our own soil.
Though the United States were the aggrieved ma
ton, Mexico commenced the war, and we were
compelled, in self-deence, to repel the INVADER and
to vindicate the national honor and interests by
prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain
just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostilities had been commenced
by Mexico, promptly communicated the fact, &C
companed with succinct statement OF our other
causes of complaint against Mexico, to Congress
and that body by the act of the thirteenth OF May,
1885, declared that "by the act of the republic Of
Mexico, q state of war exists between that govern
ment and the United States this act declaring
" the war to exist by the act Of the republic of Mex
co" and making provisions for its prosecution ITO
a speedy and successful termnation," was passed
with great unanmity by Congress, there being but
two negative votes in the Senate, and but fourteen
in the House of Representatives.
The existence OF the war having thus been de-
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under the
constitution and laws, to conduct and prosecute it,
This duty has been performed; and though, at ev-
cry stage of its progress have manifested a will
lingness to terminate it by just peace, Mexico has
refused to accede to any terms which could be ac-
cepted by the United States, consistently with the
national honor and interest.
The rapid and brilliant success OF our arms,
and the vast extent of the enemy's territory which
had been ovcrrun and conquered, before the close
of the last session Of Congress- were fully known to
that body. Since that time the war has been prose-
cuted with increased energy, and l am gratifcd to
state with success which commands universal
admiration. History presents no parallel OF so
many glorious victories achieved by any nation
within so short period Our army, regulars and
volunteers, have covered themselves with imperish-
able honors. Whenever and wherever our forces
} have encountered the enemy, though he was III
vastly superior numbers, and often entrcnched IN
fortified positions of his own selection, and OF great
strength, he has been defeated Too much praise
cannot be bestowed upon officers and men, reg
uars and volunteers for their gallantly, discipline,
+ ndomitable courage and perseverance, all seeking
the post Of danger, and Vieing with each other IN
deeds of noble daring.
While every patriots heart must exult, and q just
national pride animate every bosom, in beholdlng
Z the high proofs of courage, consummate mlhtary
c skill, steady discipline, and humanity to the van
pushed enemy, exhibited by our gallant army, the
ration is called to mourn over the loss OF many brave
officers and soldiers who have fallen IN defence OF
their countrys honor and interests. The brave dead
met their fate in foreign land, nobly dlscharglng
their duty, and with their countrys nag waving lrl-
umphantly in the face of the foe. Their patriotic
r deeds are justly appreciated and will long be re-
membercd by their grateful countrymen. ne pa
rental care of the they Toned and served
should extend to their surviving families;
Shortly after the adjournment of the last session
of Congress, the gratifying intelligence was received
of the Signal victory of Buona Vista and Of the ia
of the city of Vera Cruz, and with the strong cas-
tie Of San Ittan de lloa by which it defended.
believing that after these and other successes, 50
honorable to our arms and so disastrous to Mexico
4 the period was propitous to afford her another op-
l. portunity if she thought proper to embrace u, 10
enter into negotiations for peace, a commissioner
was appointed to proceed to the head quarters Of our
army With full powers to enter upon negotiations
and to conclude just and honorable treaty OF peace
He was not directed to make any new oyef c ol
peace. but was the bearer of a despatch from the
Secretary of State of the United States to the MN