The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-17
Presidents Message.
Illiow Cilisens fthe Senate


an interesting event. The representatives o
the States and of the people come fresh from
their constituents, to take counsel together
for the common good. After and existence
OF near three~quarters of a century, as free
and independent republic, the problem nc
longer remains to be solved, whether man Is
capable Of self government. The success o
our admirable system is a conclusive reluta
,ion of the theories of those, in other countries
who maintain that a favored few are born te
rule. and that the mass of mankind must be
governed by force. Subject to arbitrary Oh
hereditary authority, the people are the only
sovereigns recognized by our constitution.
Numerous emgrants, Of every lineage ant
and language, attracted by the civil and reli.
gious freedom we enjoy, and by our happy
condition, annually crowd to our shores, and
transfer their hearts, not less than their ale
giance, to the country, whose dominion be-
longs alone TO the people.
No country has been SO much favored, OIL
should acknowledge, with deeper reverence
the manifestation 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 pro
gress, until we have become one Of the great
Nations Of the EARTH
II is in country thus favored, and under Il
government in which the Executive and Leg
s.l, h,,, nbo, boll tl,air far
limited periods, 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 pub
lie affairs.
During the pnst year the most gratifying
proofs are presented that our country has been
blessed with wide spread and universal
prosperity. There has oeen no period since
the government was founded, when all the in
dustrial pursuits Of our people have been
more successful, or hen labor. in all branch
cs of business, has received tarer or better
reward. From our abundance, we have been
enabled to perform the pleasing duty OF furn-
ishing food for the starving millions Of less
favored counrles.
in the enjoyment Of the bounies of Provi
dencc al home, such as have rarely fallen 10
the lot Of any people, it is cause OF congratu-
lation, that our intercourse with all the pow
ers of the earth, except Mexico, continues
TO be OF an amicable character
1t mas ever been our cherished policy to
cultivate peace and good will with all ma
tions; and tllis policy has been steadily pur-
sued by me.
No change has taken place in our relations
with Mexico since the adjournment of the
last Congress. The war in which the United
States were forced to engage with the gov
ernment of that country, still continues.
| deem it unnecessary, after the full expo
sition of them contained in my message of
the I3 of May l 46, and my annual mes
sage at the commencement of the session Of
Congress, in December last, TO reiterate the
serious causes of complaint which we had
against Mexico, before the commencement
of hostilties.
1t Is sufficient, on the present occasion, to
say, that the wanton violation of the rights OF
persons and property of our citizens, commit
ted by Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith
through long series of years, and her disre-
gard of solemn treaties, stipulahng for indem
nifty to our injured citizens, not only consti-
tutod ample cause of war on our part, but
were Of such an aggravated character as
would have justified us, before the whole
world, in resoriing to this extreme remedy
With anxious desire to avoid rupture be-
years, to assert our rights by force; and con
tinued to seek redress for the wrongs we had
by amicable- negotiations, in hopes
that Mexico might yield to pacific counsels
and the demands of justice. In this hope we
we're disappointed. Our Minister Of peace
sent to Mexicos was insultingly rejected.
The Mexican Go vernment refused even to
,ear the terms of adjustment which he was
to propose; and finally, under who'll
v uniustiiable pretexts, involved the two
in war, by invading the territory o
he State of Texas, striking the first blow, I
and shedding the blood of our citizens on our /
avn soil. {
Though the United States were the ag
rrieved nation, Mexico commenced the war;
and we were compelled, in self defence, to {
repel the invader, and yindicate the national
honor and interests, by prosecuting it with
vigor until we could obtain Just and honor
able peace.
On learning that hostilties had been com
nenced by Mexico, promptly communicat
ID that fact, accompanied with succinct
statement of our other causes of complaint
gainst Mexico, to Congress, and that body, !
y the act OF the 18th of May, 1885, declared ,
lat by act of the Reptile of Mexico, state h
{ war existed between that Government and u