Democratic banner., 1847-12-20
Presidents MESSAGE.
E.Yov- Citizens of The Sfnqfc 8. -

ways an interesting event. The represen-
.~tatives of the States and of the people,
come fresh from their constituents, totake
counsel together for their common good, af-
ter an existence of near three fourtiis Of a
century, as a free and independent republic.
The problem no longer remains to be solv-
ed, whether man is capable Of self govern
ment. The success of our admirable sys-
ten is a conclusive rcfutation of the theo-
ries of those III other countries, who main
tain that favored few are born 70 rule,
and that the mass Of mankind must be gov
crned by force-one subject to arbitrary or
hereditary authority. TIE people are The
only sovereigns recognized By our constitu-
tion- Numerous e.nigrants,. of every line
age and language, attracted by the civil
and religious freedom we enjoy, and by cur
happy condition, annually crowd to OAR
shores, and transfer their hearts, mt less
than their allegiance, to the country where
dominion belongs alone to the people. No.
country has been somach favored, or should.
acknowledge with deeper reverence the
manifestations Of thc Divine rroteetion.-I
An Ali-wise Greater d~irecttd ana guarded
MS in our infant struggles ior freedom, and
has constantly watched over our surprising
progress, unit! W. hare become ore Ct tie
great nations Ct ;ae earth. lis in a coun-
try tlrus favored, ana under 4 government.
in which the executive AID legislative
branches held their authority for limited Pc
RODS, alike from lie people, and where all.
are responsible = ttc;: respectivc c%oas:it-
u%encies, that it is aga;n ny iaty 10 coinina-
nicate with Congress, upon the state OF the
Union, and the present condition OF public
affairs.
During Tie past year, Ike most sratify ing
proofs are presented, that our country has.
been blessed with d wide spread and uni
yersal prosperity. There has been no peri
cd, since the government was founded,
when all the Industrial pursuits Of our pcO-
pie have been more successful, or when la
Dor in all branches Of business has receiv-!
ed a fairer OF better reward. From our
abundance, we have heen enabled to per-
form the pleasing duty Of furnishing food
for the starving millions OF less favored
countries. In the enjoyment Of the bonn
ties of Providence at home, such as haze.
rarely fallen to tie lot Of any people, it is
cause of congratalation Lat cur intercourse
with all the powers OF the earth, except
Mexico, continues TO be of an amicable'
character. It has ever been our cherisAcdI
policy to cultivate peace and good will with
all nations, and this policy has been stcadi-
ly pursued by me.
No change has taken place in cur rela-
tions with Mexico since the adjournment of
the last Congress. The war in which the
United States were forced 10 engage with
the government of that country, still con-
tinucs.
/ deem it unnecessary, after the full ex-
position Of them contained in my message
Of the 18th of May, 1885, and my annual
message at the commencement of the ses-
sion of Congress in December last, to reit-
crate the serious causes Of complaint which
we had against Mexico before she COM
raenced hcstilities. 1t is sufficient on the
present occasion to say, that the wanton
violations Of the rights Of persons and prop
erty of our citizens, committed by Mexico,
her repeated acts of bad faith through a
long series Of years, and her disregard Of
solemn treaties stipulating forindemnity to
our injured citizens, not only constituted
ample cause OF. war on our part, but were
of such an aggravated character as would
have justified US before the whole. world in
resorting to. this extreme remedy. With
an anxious desire to avoid a rupture be-
tween the two, countries, we forbore for
years to assert oaF rightsb forcer and0con1
tinued to seek redress for the wrongs we
had suffered, b +alnicabfe negotiations, in
the hope that Mexico might yield to pacific