Saturday morning visitor., 1848-12-23

States, occupying as they do the centra
and commanding position in Europe, shal
succeed in establishing such Confedera
ted government, securing at the same tim,
to the citizens Of each State, local 9 govern
ments adapted to the condition of each
unrestricted trade and intercourse will
each other, it VIII be an important era il
human events. Whilst il will consoIidat,
and strengthen the power of Germany, i
must essentially promote the cause o
peace, commerce, civilization and consti
lL'lonal liberty throughout the world. =
With all the governments on this contin.
ent, our relations, it is believed, are now
on more friendly and satisfactory footing
than they have ever been at any former
period. Since the exchange of ratiiica-
lion OF the treaty of peace with Mexico
our intercourse with the government ol
the Mexican Republic has been of the
most friendly character. The Envoy Ex-
traordlnary and Minister Penipoteniary
OF the United States TO Mexico, has been
received and accredited, and diplomatic
representation from Mexico, of similar
rank, has been received and accepted by
this government The amcable relations
betweenlhe two countries which had been
superseded, have been happily restored,
and destined, trust, 10 be long preserved.
The two Republics. both situated on this
continent, and with contiguous territories,
have every motive for sympathy and OF
interest 10 bind them together in pcrpetu-
al amliy.
This gratifying condition of our foreign
relations, renders it unnecessary for me
TO call your attention more especially TO
them.
1t has been my constant aim and desire
to cultivate peace and ami,y with all ma
tons. Tranquility at home and peaceful
relations abroad continue the true and per-
manent polivy of our country. War, the
sconrge Of nations, sometimes becomes in
e'llable. but is always to be avoided when
II can be done consistently with The rights
and honor Of the nation.
Que of the most important results oc
the war in which ve were engaged re-
Gently with neighhoring nation, is the
demonstration il has afforded of the mill
tary strength Of our country. Before the
late war with Mexico, European and 9th
er foreign powers entertained imperfect
views of O"r physical strength as nation,
and our ability 10 prosecute war, and a
war out OF our own country. They saw
th't our standing army, or the peace es-
adjustment, did not exceed ten Thousand
men. Accustomed, themselves. to maiu-
tain in peace, large standing armies for
the protection Of thrones against their own
SUI jert., as we'll as against foreign enc
mics. they had not conceived that it was
possible for nation without such an ar
my well disciplined. and of long service,
to wage war successfully; they held in
low repute our militia, and were far from
regarding them as all efficient force, unless
~ might be for temporary defensive ope-
rationS when Invaded on our own sell. =
The events Of the late war with MEXICO
nave moi only undeceiyed them, but have
remo' ed erroneous impressions which pre-
vailed TO some extent even among our own
But war has demonstrated
that upon the breaking out of hostilhies
not anticipated, and for which no pre,i-
Gus preparations had been made, volun-
leer army Of citizen soldiers, equal to any
can in short period be bro't
into the fled, unlike what would have oc-
Cured in any other country.
We were under no necessity Of resort
ing 10 drafts or conscripiions on the cun-
lrary, such was the number of volunteers
who patriotically rendered their services,
that the chief difficulty was in making Sc
leclions, and determining who should be
disappointed, and compelled TO remain at
home. Our citizen soldiers are unlike
those drawn from the populace. They
are composed unfortunately of all pro-
tessions and pursuits; of farmers, law
yers, physicians, merchants, manuiactu-
rers, mechanics and laborers; and this not
only among the officers, but the private
soldiers in the ranks. Our citizen sol
diers are unlike those of any other coun-
try in this respect they are armed, and
have been accustomed from their youth up,
to handle and use firearms, and IN this,
large proportion OF them, especially in the
western and more newly settled States,
are expert. They are men who have q
reputation TO maintain at home by their
good conduct in the field, and they are in
telligent; and there is an individuality of
character which is found in the ranks of
no other army. In battle each private
man, as well as every officer, fights not
only for his country, but for glory and dis
tinction among his fellow-citizsns when
he shall return 10 civil life.
The war with Mexico has demsnsir rated
not only the ability Of the government to
organize numerous army upon sudden
call, bot also 10 provide itwilh an the mu-
niIions and necessary supplies with des-
patch, conveaienhe and ease and TO d.