Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellose citizens Of The Senate, and
House of RepreSenfatipes:

The annual meeting OF congress Is always a"
interesting event. The Representatives OF the
States and of the people come fresh from their
constituents to take counsel together for the CON-
mon good After an existence of near three
four,hs of a century, as free and independent
republic, the problem no longer remains to De
solved, whether man is, capable of selt-govern-
ment. The success of our admirable system is
conclusive refutation of the theories OF those in
other countries who maintain that a favored
fewm are born to rule, and that the mass of man.
kind must be governed by force. Subject to no
arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are
the only sovereigns recognized by our Constitu-
lion. 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 transfer their
heart, not less than their allegiance to the coun
try whose dominion belongs alone to the people.
No country has been so much favored, or should
acknowledge with deeper reverence the mani
festations of the divine protection. An all WISE
Creator directed and guarded us in our infant
struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched
over our surprising progress, until we have be-
come one of the great nations OF the earth.
II is in a country thus favored, and under go
vernment in which the Executive and Legisla-
tive branches hold their authority for limited Pc
rioIs, alike from the people. and where all are
responsible to their respective constituencies,
that it is again my duty to communicate with
Congress, upon the state of the Union, and the
present condition of public affairs.
During the past year the most gratifying proofs
are presented that our country has been blessed
with wide spread and universal prosperity
There has been no period since the government
was founded, when all the industrial pursuits OF
our people have been more successful, or when
labt. in all branches of business has received
tairer or better reward. From our abundance we
have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty
of furnishing food for the starving millions OF less
favored countries.
In the endowment of the bounties of Providence
at home, such as have rarely fallen to the lot OF
any people, it is cause of congratulation, that
our intercourse with all the Powers of the earth,
except Mexico, continues to be Of the most ami
cable character.
II has ever been our cherished policy to culti-
sate peace and goodwill with all nations; and
this policy has been steadily pursued by me.
No change has taken place in our relations with
Mexico since the 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.
| deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition
of them contained in my message OF the eleventh
of May, lS46, and in my annual message at the
commencement of the session of Congress in De-
cember last reiterate the serious causes OF COM
ploint which we had against Mexico before she
commenced hostlities.
Ii is sufficient on the present occasion to say,
that the wanton violation oil the rights OF person
anI property of our citizens committed by Mexl-
co. her repeated acts of bad faith, through long
series of years and her disregard OF solemn trea-
ties, stipulating for indemnity to our injured clt-
zens notony constituted ample cause of war on
our part, but were of such an aggravated charac-
Ter as would have justified US before the whole
world in resortinc 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 re-
dress for the wrongs we had suffered by amcable
NEGOTIATION, in the hope that Mexico might yield
to the pacific councils and the demands OF justice.
In this hope we were disappointed. Our Minis
ter of peace sent to Mexico was insultIngiy re-
;ected. The Mexican government refused even
10 hear the terms of adjustment which he was
authorized to propose; and finally, under wholly
uniustifable 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 citizens on our own soil.
Though the United States were the aggrleved
nation. Mexico commenced the war; and we were
compelled in selfdefence, 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 commeh
ced by Mexico, promptly communicated tha,
fact accompanied with succinct statement o
our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to
Congress and that body, by the act of the thir
teenth of May, 1916, declared that /" by the ac'
of the republic of Mexico state of war exists be-
tween that government and the United States
this act declaring "the war to exist by the ac
of the republic of Mexico" and making provision
for its prosecution ''to a speedy and successful
termination" was passed with great unanimity
by Congress, there being but two negative voices
in the Senate, and but fourteen in the Hou2e o
Representatives.
The existence of the war having thus been DE
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under tn
constitution and the laws, to conduct and prose
cute it. This duty has been performed AM
though, at every stage of its progress, nav
manifested willingness to terminate II oy Jus
peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any term
which couid be accepted by the United States
consistently with the national honor and interest
The repid and bfilliaat successes of our arms
ann the vast eyteBe Of the encmys territor!
which had been ovefrun end conquered, befor'
the close of the last session Of Congress, wes'
ru L.ov.c On that body Since that time, tn