The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Etll0,o Citizens Of the Senate
and of IL, Ho,,ss of Rem

.EebloO Cntze1S o. the Se10Se s p aaI In3fNutH
81 .s;yf and Of the House Of Representatives.
The annual meeting Of Congress is always .
Interesting event. The Representatives Of h
Etates and Of the People come fresh from the
constituents, to take counsel together for the con
mon good, After an existence Of near three-qua
tiers Of q century 81 free and independents republic
the problem no longer remains to be SOLVED
whether man IL capable Of self government. TIL
puccess Of our admirable system Is a conoIusive n
futation of the theories of those. il other c~euntriei
who maintain that . favored few are born. to rule
aad that the mass of mankind must be governed b
force. Subject to the arbitrary or hereditary au
thority, the people are the only sovereigns recoe
mixed by or constitution. adj
Numerous emigrants, Of every lineage and lac
euage. attracted by the civil and religious freedom
We enjoy, and by our happy condition, a%nnuall
crowd to our shores, and transfer their hearts, no
lsssthan their allegiance, TO the country whose do
minion belongs aloIe to the people. , -iaii.
No country has been SO much favored, or shoul
acknowledge, with deeper reverence, the NANTES
tation Of the Divine protection. An all-wise Gre
ator directed and guarded Us, in our infant strug
gle for freedom; and has constantly watched owe
our surprising progress, until we have become on,
Of the great Nations Of the earth. ali"
II 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 RESPONSE
bic their respective constituencies, that it is again
my duty to communicate with Congress upon the
state Of the Union, and the present condition o
public affairs. ..H4t .Is.t. ..tIt -Et
During the past year the most gratifying proofs
srs presented that Dur country Ras been blessed
with wide spread and universal prosperity
There has been no period since the eoyernmen
was founded, when ali the industrial pursuits Of
our people have been more successful, or when Ia.
Dor, in all branches OF business, has received a fair.
ar or better reward. From our abundance, we
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty OF
furnishing foodfor the starving millions Of less Ia.
vored countries. JGE n
In the enjoyment Of the bounties of Providence
at home, such as have rarely fallen to the lot Of
any people, II is cause of congratulatjon. that our
intercourse with all the powers of the earth ex.
cept Mexico, continues 10 be of an amicable char.
deter.
II has ever been our cherished policy Ia cult.
vs,e peace and good will with all nations: and This
policy has been ste adiIy pursuad nv me.
No change has taken place in our relations with
Mexico, since tho adjournment of the last Con.
gress. The war in which the United States were
forced to engage with the government of that
country still continues,
4 deem II unnecessary. after the full exposition
Of them contained in nv messape of the i3th Of
May, 1876, and my annual message at the com.
nIencemeot of the session of Congress. in Decem.
Der last. 10 reiterate The serions causes of comnl,;nt
which we had against Mexico. before the com.
mencement of hnstilities.
Iii sufficient, on the present occasion, to say,
thasshe wanton violation Of The rights of persons
and property of our citizens, committed by Mex
leo. her repeated acts of bad faith. through a long
series Of wears. and her disregard of solemn trea.
ties. stipulating for indemnify to our injured CHI.
zens. not only constituted annie cause Of war nm
our mart. bur were of such an aggravated charac.