Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-12-13
PesESyDENT'S
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Fe!ictc Citizens Of the Senate
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i, constituents, TO take counsel together for III,
common good After cSistence Of near ,hre,
quarter. vi century, as s free ana !EGepsnden
republic, the problem no Longer remains TO bt
solved, whether man IS capable of es!:- govern
,nent. The success of our admirable system /:
a conclusive reiutatIon Of the theories o. tIots
IN other countries, who MAINTAIN that 4 favored
few are born TO rule, and that the o. man
Kind must b governed by force. Subject to no
arbitrary or hereditary authority. the people are
the only sovereigus recognized by our constiu-
ton
Numerous emigrants, Of every lineage and
language, attracted by the civil and religious
freedom we enjoy, ana by our happy condition,
annually crowd to our shores. ami transfer the If
hearts not less than their allie iance to the conn-
try, whose dominion belongs al one to the pc ope :.
No country has been much favored. or
should ack noweGge, with deeper reverence, the
manifestation Of the Divine protection. An all
wise { reator directed and guided Us, IN our ia
FAINT 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 4 country thus favored, and under
government in which the Executive ana sgis-
lative branches hoid their authority, for limited
periods, alike from the people. aud where all are
responsible to their respective constituencies,
that it is again my duty TO communicate with
Congress upon the state OF III. I MON, ami tho
present condition Of public AFFAIRS.
During the past year the mast gratifying proc IS
are presented that our country las been blassei
with wide spread and universal prosperity
There has been period since the government
was founded, when all the Industrial pursuits Of
people have been more successful, when
labor, in all branches OF business, has received a
f,irer or better reward From our abu ndance.
have been enabled to perform tho pleasing
duty Of furnishing food for the starving millions
of less favored countries.
In the enjoyment Of tho bountie. of Provi-
dence at home. such as have rarely fallen to the
lot Of any people, il is cause of congrau lation,
that our intercourse with all the powers OF tho
earth, except Mexico, continues TO be Of ami
cable character.
1t has ever been our cherished policy TO cult
vate peace aud good Will with all nations and tbs
policy has been Steaiiiy pursued by
No change has taken place in our relations
with M-Nico. since the adjournment of III, last
Congress The war in which the United States
We're forced to engage with tho government OF
that country, still continues.
deem 1t unnecessary, after the full exposition
OF them c. n.ainsd III my message OF the lth of
May, lSl6, and my afnual messag. at the COM
Hcncement OF the session of Congress, III Dec
enber last, TO reIterate the serious causes of
complaint which we had against Mexico, before
she commenced hostilities-
1t is sufficient. the present occasion, to say,
that the wanton violation of the rights of per
sons and property of our citizens, committed by
Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith, throu gh
a long series Of years, and her disregard Of SOL
cInn treaties, stIputatiug for indemnity TO in
Jnred citizens, not only constituted ample cause
of part, bun were OF such an agra
waited character as would have justified Us, be
fore the whole world, in resorting TO this cx-
treme remedy With an anxious desire to avoid
/ rupture between the two countries, we forbore,
Tor years TO assert our clear rights by force; and
continued to seek redress for the wrongs e had
suffered, by amlcable negotiations in hopes that
Mexico might yield to pacific counsels and the
demands Of Justice. In this hope We're dis
appointed Our Minister of peace sent to Mex
leo, was insultDgly rejected. The Mexican
Government refused even to hear the terms of
adjustment which he authorized to propose:
and finally, under wholly un justf fable pretexts,
involved the two countries in war, 6y trrGdIng
the territory of the State Of Isrss, striking he
first bto,c, and sheddiny the blood Of our citizens
soul
Though, the United States were tho arrieyed
nation. Mexico commenced the war, and
We're compelled, in self DC fence to repel the in
vader, and yindicate the national honor and in-
terests, by prosecuting it with vigor, until
could obtain Just ana honorable peace
On learning that hostilities mad been common
ced by Mexico, | promptly communicated that
fact, accompanied with slccnct statement of
. our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to
Congress, and that body, by the act of the 18th of
May, 1916, declared that by act of the republic
Of Mexico. state of war existed between that
Governme Mt and the L. States. This act, decla-
ring the war to exist, "by the act OF the Repub
lie of Mexico,' and making provision for its
prosecution to speedy and successful termina-
ton, was passed with great unaniInity by Con-
gress; there being but two negative votes in the
Senate, and but fourteen in the House Of Rep
resentatives.
The existence of the having thus been
declared 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 its progress, l have
manifested a Willingness to terminate 1t by just
peace, Mexico has refused to accede 70 any terms
which could be accepted by the United States,
consiste nth with the national honor and interests.
The rapid and brilliant successes of car arms.
and the vast extent of the eneIny's territory
which had been overrun and conquered, before
the close of the last session of Congress,
fully known TO that body. Since that time, the
war has been prosecuted with increased energy;
and am gratfed to state with a success which
commands universal admiration. History pre-
sents no parallel of SO many glorious victories
achieved by any nation within SO short period.
Our army, regulars and volunteers, have COW
cred themselves with imperishabie honors-
Wherever and whenever our forces have encoun
tered the enemy. thong he was in vastly superior
numbers, and often entire nched in fortified posi-
tons of his own selection. and Of great strength,
he has bee defeated. Too much praise canno,
be bestowed upon our officers ami men, regulars
and volunteers, and their galiautry, discipline,
indenitabie courage and easererance-aI ssen-
ing the posts ofdancer, and vieing with each oh
in deeds of noble daring.
While every patriots heart rnust sxuIt. and
Just national pride inmate every bosom, be-
holding the high proofs of courage. coasumuate
military skill, steady discipline and humanity 10
the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallant
army, the nation IS called to mourn the loss of
many brave office and soldiers who have fallen
IN defence Of their countrys honor and Interests.
The brave dead met their melancholy fnte in
foreign land, nobly di>chargng their duty and
with their countrys flag waving triumphantIy IN
the face OF the foo. Their patriotic ao.ds
justly appreciated; and will leng De remembered
by their grateful countryIn-n. The parental
care OF the government they loved and served,
should be ext- nded to th6Ir surviving families.
Sherry after the adJ oarnTnenl OF the last
sion of Congress, the gratifying intel igence
received of the battle Of bue ma sts, and Of the
fall of the city Of Vera Cruz. and ~ith i the
strong Castle of san Juan de UIloa, by which it
was defended Believing that after these, and
other successes 50 honorable to arms, and
disastrous to Mexico, the period was Propiious
TO afford her another opportunity, II she thought
proper 10 embrace II, to enter into negotiations
for peacs, commissioner was appointed TO pro-
coed the he ad aartsrs of army, with full
power 30 enter on negotiations, and TO conclude
a Just and honorable treaty OF peace. lie was no.
directed to make any new cserta.ss Of peace,