Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-12-18
Presidents Message.
Fsllo,o- Citizens Of the Senate

counsel together for the common good, af.
ter an existence of near three fourths of a
century, as free and independent republic
The problem no longer remains to be solved
whether man is capable of self govern.
ment. The success of our admirable sys-
tern is conclusive refutation of the theo.
ries Of those in other countries, who main.
tain that q favored few are born to rule,
that the mass of mankind must be govern.
ed by force--one subject to arbitrary or
only sovereigns recognized by our cons,i.
tuition. Numerous emigrants, of every
lineage and language, attracted by the CT
vii and religious freedom we enjoy, and by
our happy condition, annually crowd to our
shores, and transfer their hearts, not less
than their allegiance, TO the country where
dominion belongs alone TO the people. No
country has been SO much favored, or
should acknowledge with deeper reverence
the manifestations of the Divine protection.
An All.wise Creator directed and guarded
us in our infant struggles 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 coun-
try thus favored, and under government
in which the executive and legislative
branches hold their authority for limited
periods, alike from the people, and where
all are responsible to their respective con.
stituencies, that it is again my duty to com.
municate with Congress, upon the state of
the Union and the present condition of
public affairs.
During the past year, the most crafty.
ing 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 peo-
pie have been more successful, or when la
Dor in all branches of business has received
fairer or better reward. From our abun.
dance, we have been enabled to per.
form the pleasing duty Of furnishing
food for the starving millions of less
favored countries. In the enjoyment of
the bounties of Providence al home such
as have rarely fallen to the lot of any PEG.
pie, it is cause of congratulation that our
intercourse with all the powers of the
earth, except Mexico, continues 10 be of an
amcable character. 1t has ever been our
cherished policy 10 cultivate peace and
good will with all nations, and this policy
has been steadily pursued by me.
No change has taken place in our rela.
tons with Mexico since the adjournment
Of the last Congress. 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 ex.
position of them contained in my message
of the 18th of May, 1916, 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
menced hostiities. Ii is sufficient on The
present occasion to say. that the wantor
violations of the rights Of persons and
property of our citizens committed by
Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith
through long series of years, and her dis
regard of solemn treaties STIMULATING fol-
indemnity to our injured citizens, not only
constituted ample cause of war on oul
part, but were of such an aggravated char
acter as would have justified US before the
whole world in resorting TO this extreme
remedy. With an anxious desire to avoic
a rupture between the two countries, we
forbore for years to assert our rights by
force, and continued to seek redress for the
wrongs we had suffered, by amicable nego
Citations, in the hope that Mexico nigh
yield 10 pacific counsels, and the demand:
of Justice. In this hope we were dsap
pointed. Our minister of peace, sent tc
Mexico, was insultingly rejected. The
Mexican Government refused even to heal
the terms of adjustment which he was au
,horzed to propose, and finally. unde
wholly unjustifiable pretexts, involved the
two countries in war, by invading territory
of the State of Texas, striking the frs
blow. and shedding the blood of our citizens
on our own soil.
Though the United States were the ag
grieved nation, Mexico commenced III,
war, and we were compelled. in selfde
fence, to repel the invader, and to vindi
cate the national honor and interests, by
prosecuting it with vigor until we SHOULD
obtain just and honorable peace.
On learning that hostili,ies had beer
commenced by Mexico, promptly commu
nicated that fact, accompanied with sue
.cinct statement of our other causes Of com
plant against Mexico, to Congress, ant
that body, by the act ofl3lh May, 1916. de
clared. that by the act of the Republic o
Mexico, a state Of war existed between
that Government and the United States
This act, declaring war to exist by the &C
of the Republic of Mexico, and maxim!
provision for its prosecution, to speed.
and successful termination, was passe'