Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-16

tracted by the civil and religious freedom we end
Joy, and by our happy condition, annually crowd
10 our shores, and transfer their heart, not less
than their allegiance to the country whose domi
Mon belongs alone to the people.
No country has been so much favored or should
acknowledge with deeper reverence the nantes
tations Of the Divine protection. An all-wisc
Creator directed and guarded us in our infant
struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched
over our surprising progress until we have become
one OF the great nations of the earth.
1t is in country thus favored, and under
government in which the executive and legisa-
tive branches hold their authority for limited peri
DDS, alike from the people, and where all are re-
sponsbe for their respective constituencies, that
it is again my duty to communicate with Con-
gress upon the state of the Union and the pres
emf condition ofpublic 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
labor in oil branches of business has Received a
fairer 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 enjoyment of the bounties of Provid-
ence at home, such as have rarely fallen in the
lot of any people, it is cause of congratulatlon,
that our intercourse with all the Powers of the
earth, except Mexico, continues to be of an ami
cable character.
1t has ever been our cherished policy to cult
vate peace and goodwill with all nations andthis
policy has, been steadily pursued 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
we're foced to engage with the government of
that country, still continues.
/ deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition
of them contained inmy message of the eleventh
of May, 1916, and in my annual message atthe
commencement of the session Of Congress IN Dc
cenber last, TO reiteratc the serious causes of
complaint which we had against Mexico before
she commenced hostilities.
| 1t is sufficient on the present occasion to say
that the wanton violation of the rights of person
and property of our citizens committed by Mex
leo, her repeated acts of bad faith, thro' a long
series of years, and her disregard of solemn
treaties, stpuatng for indemnity to our injured
citizens, not only constituted ample cause of war
on our part, but were of much an aggravated
character as would have justified us before the
whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy.
With an anxious desire TO avoid rupture be-
tween the two countries, VIC lorbore for years 10
assert our clear rights by force, and continued to
seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by
amicable negotiation, in the hope that Mexico
might yield to pacific councils und the demands
Of justice. In this hope we were disappointed
Our Minister OF Peace sent to Mexico was insult
| ingly rejected. The Mexican government re-
fused even to hear the terms of adjustment
which he was authorized to propose; and finally,
under wholly unjustifabe pretexts, involved the
two countries in war, by invading the territory of
the State ofTeXas, striking the first blow, and
shedding the blood of our citizens on our own
soil.
Though the United States were the aggrieved
nation, Mexico commenced the war, ard we were
compelled, in self defence, TO repel the invader,
and to indicate the national honor and interests
by prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain
a just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostilities had been commenc
ed by Mexico, promptly communicated that
| fact, accompanied with 4 succinct statement of
our other causes of complaint against Mexico to
Congress- and that body, by the act the 18th of
May, 1916, declared that "by the act of the Re-
public of Mexico, state of war exists between
that government and the United States"-thls
act declaring ''the to exist by the act of the
republic of Mexico" and making provision for its
prosecution $40 a speedy and successful termina-
ton" was passed with great unanimity by Con-
| gress, there being but two negative votes in the
Senate, and but fourteen in the House of Repre-
sentatives.
The existence of the war thus having been de-
clared by Congress, it became my duty, under
the constitution and the laws, to conduct and
prosecute it. This duty has been performed; and
though, at every stage Of It's progress, have
manifested a willingness to terminate it by Just
peace, Mexico has refused to accedet to any terms
which could be accepted by the United States,
consistently with the national honor and inter-
est.
The brilliant and rapid success Of our arms and
the vast extent of the enemys territory which
had been overun and conquered, before the close
of the last session of Congress were fully known
to that body. Since that time, the war has been
prosecuted with increased energy, and | am gra-
titled to state, with success which commands
universal admiration. History presents no paral-
lei Of so many glorious victories achieved by any
nation within so short a period. Our army, re-
gulars and volunteers, have covered themselves
with imperishable honors. Whenever and where
ever our forces have encountered the enemy,
though he was vastly superior in numbers, often
retrenched in fortified positions of his own seec-
ton, and of great strength he has been defeated
Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon our
officers and men, regulars and volunteers fol
their gallantry, discipline, indomitable courage
and perseverance, all seeking the post of danger
and veing with each other in deeds ofnoblo dar'
ing.
While every patriots heart must eXult, and q
Just national pride animates every bosom, in be-
? holding the high proof of courage consummatt
military skill, steady discipline, and humanity tC
the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallan
army, the nation is called to mourn over the loss
of many brave officers and soldiers who have
fallen in defence of their country's honor and IN
terests. The brave dead met their melancholy
, fate in n foreun land nohlv discharOinU the