Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-12-22

FELLOW CITIZENs:-Theann meeting of
congress is always aninteresting event. The
Representatives of the States, and of the PEG
pie come from their constituents to take council
together for the common good. After an exist
ence of near three fourths of century as free
and independent republic,the problem no longer
remains to be solved, whether man is capable
OF self government. The success of our admil
rabe system is a conclusive refutation Of the
theories of those countries which maintain that
'favorte 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 sovereigns recognised
by our constitution. Numerous emigrants of
every lineage and language, attracted by the
civil and religious freedom we enjoy and by our
happy condition, annually crowd to our shores,
and tranfer their heart, not less than their allie
glance, 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 Divine protection. An all
wise Creator directed and guarded us in our in
FAINT struggle for freedom, and mas constantly
watched over our surprising progress, until we
have become one of the great nations of the
earth.
1t is in a country thus favored, and under
gislative branches, hold their authority for linn
tied periods, alike from the people, and where
all are responsible to their respective constitu-
encies. that it is again my duty to communi-
cate with Congress upon the State of the In
ion, and the present condition ofpublic affairs.
During the past year the most gratifying
proofs are presented that our country has been
blessed with widespread and universal pros
perity. There has been no period since the
government was founded. when all toe indus
Trial pursuits of our people have been more sue
cessful, or when labor in all branches of bust
ness have received fairer and better reward
From our abundance we have been enabled TO
perform the pleasing duty of furnishing iood for
the starving millions of less favored countries.
In the ENJOYMENT of the bounties ofProvideuce
at home such as have rarely fallen to the lot
of any people, it is cause of congratalatIon,Ihat
our intercourse with all the powers of the earth
except Mexico, continues to be of an ameable
character. ss'-aa sai 1.eis3 .laomal8Fa,
1T has ever been our cherished policy to cul-
tivate peace and good will with all nations;-
and the policy has been steadily pursued by NE.
No change has taken place in our relations
with Mexico since the adloI rnment of the last
Congress. The war in which the. u. States
was forced to engage in with that country, still
continues. as- 71es3
4 ne .nericdA ~ ar.
deem it unnecessary, after a full exposit on
of them contained in my message of the 18th
MAY, 1916, and in my annual message at the
commencement of the session of Congress in
December last, to reiterate the various causes
of complaint which we had against Mexico be-
fore she commenced hostilites.
1t is sufficient on the present occasion to say,
that the wanton violations of the rights of per-
son and property of our citizens, committed by
Mexico-her repeated acts of bad faith, thro'
long series of years-and her disregard of
solemn treaties, stipnlating for indemnity for
our injured citizens, not only constituted ample
cause of war on our pant, but were of such an
aggravated character 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
forbore for years to assert our clear rights, by
force, and continued to seek redress for the
wrongs we lad suffered by amicable negotia-
tons, in hopes that Mexico might yield to pa
cifc counsels, and the demands of justice. In
this hope we were disappointed. Our Minister
of Peace sent to Mexico was insultingy re-
ieoted-the Mexican government refusing even
to hear the terms of adjustment which he was
authorised 10 propose; s. finally, under unjustiti
able pretences, involved the two countries in
war, by invading the territory of the State of
IeXdS, StrihiIg the UTSt DlOW, ana shedding
the first blood of our citizens on our soil.
Although theU nitedStates were the aggriev-
ed nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we
were compelled, in self-defence, to repell the
invader. and to vindicate the national honor and
interest, by prosecuting it with vigor, until we
could obtain just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostilites had been COM
menced by Mexico,I promptly communicated the
fact accompanied with succinct statement of
other causes of complaint against Mexico, to
Congress: and that body, by the act of the 9Th
of May, 1916, declared that Shy the act of the
republic of Mexico, state of war exists be-
tween that government and the United States
this act declaring sswar to exist by the act of
the Republic of Mexico and making provis- |
ion for its prosecution s'to speedy and success
full termination," was passed with great una
Bimity by Congress, there being two negative
votes in the Senate, and but fourteen in the
House of Representatives. The existence of |
the war having been declared by Congress, it
became my duty,under the constitution and the
laws, to continue and prosecute it. This duty
has been performed, and although at every
stage of its progress have manifested will
iingness to terminate it BY a just peace, Mex
leo has refused to accede to any terms which
would be accepted by the United States, con-
sistently with the national honor and interest.
The rapid and brilliant success of our arm
les, and the vast extent of the enemys territory
which had been overrun and conquered, before
the close of the last session of Congress, were !,
fully known to that body. Since that time 1.-The
war has been prosecuted with increasing ener-
gy, and am gratifed to state that with sue
cess which commands universal admiration.-
History presents no parallel of so many glori- {
Gus victories achieved by any nation within SO {
short period Our army, regular and volun-
teers, have covered themselves with imEerisha-
bic hopors. Whenever and wherever our fer s
ces have encountered the enemy, though he was
10 vastly superior numbers, and often entrench-
al in fortified positions of their own selection
and of great strength, be. has been defeated
Foo much praise cannot be bestowed upon our
.a;cnrs and men,, regulars and volunteers, for
tier salIantry, discipline and indomisa cour-