Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-13
ERESlDENT.S NJ MlISsAGE

ElGEDlUktS.l u M iiSSAG b
Fsitoy caizens Of the Senate and Hous
Representatives.: go
Under The benignan, Providence of al
Almighty God, the Representatives OF tn.
States aud the People are again brough
together 10 deliberate for The public good
The gratitude Of the Nation 10 the Sove
reign Arbiter Of human events, should b,
commensurate with the bounteous blessing
which We enjoy. Peace, plenty and con.
terltment reign throughout our borders, ana
caf beloved country presents n zsublin.e
moral specfacle to the world.
-Ths troubled and unsettled condition Of
some Of the principal European Powers
han had necessary tendency to check
md embarrass trade, and TO depress prices
throughout all commercial nations; but
notwithstanding these causes the United
States with their abundant products have
fel. their effects less severely than any
other country, and all our great interests
are still prosperous and successful.
IN reviewing the great events Of the
year. and contrasting The agilated and dis
turbed slate Of other countries with our
own tranquil and happy condition, we may
congratulate ourselves that we are, the
most favored people on the face of the
earth. While the people Of other couri-
tries are struggling to establish free insti-
tntions. under which man may govern him
self, We are in the actual enjoyment of
them; rich Inheritance from our fathers.
While enlightened nations Of Europe
are cenyulsed and distracted by civil war
or intestine strife, we settle all our polri-
cal alconiroyersies by the peaceful exercise
Of the right of freemen nt the ballot box.
Tks great Republican maxim, SO deeply
engraved on the hearts of our people. that
shs viii Of the majority cons,iiutianally
expressed. shall prevail, is our sure safe-
guard against force and violence. 1t Is a
subject of just pride that our fame and
character as a nation continue -spidly TO
advance in the estimation of the civilized
world. To our wise and free institutions
it is to be attributed, that while other ma
iions have achieved glory at the price of
tho suffering. distress, and impoverlshment
Of their people, we have won our honora-
Bile position in the midst Of un uninterrupt-
ed prosperity, and Of an increasing indi-
yidual comfort and happiness. | am hap.
py to inform you that our relations with
oil nations are friendly and pacific. Ad-
vantaeeous treaties Of commerce have
been concluded within the last four years
with New Grenada, Peru. the two Sicilies.
Belgium, Hanover. Oldenburgh, Mecklen-
burgh, and Schwerin. Pursuing our ex-
ample. the restrictive system Of Great
Britain. our principal foreign customer,
has been relaxed; more iiberal CONNER
cial policy has been adopted by other en-
ligh.ened nations, and our trade has been
greatly enlarged and extended. Our coun.-
srys stands higher in the respect Of the
world Than at any other period. To con-
tinue to occupy this proud position, it is
only necessary 10 preserve peace. and
faithfully adhere to the great and funda
mental principle Of our foreign policy. of
non.interference in the domestic concerns
Of other nations. We recognize in all
nations the rights which we enjoy our
selves, To change and reform their political
ins,itutions according to their own will and
pieasure. Since we do not look beyond
existing governments, capable of main
taining their own authority. we recognize
all such actual governments, not only from
the dictates Of true policy, but from sa-
cred regard for the independence Of Ia
lions.
e While this is our settled policy. it does
not follow that we can ever be Indifferent
spectators Of the progress Of liberal prin-
scipfes. The government and peaple OF
the United States hailed with enthusiasm
md delightthe establishment of the French
Republic, as we now hail the efforts in
progress to unite the States of Germany in
q Confederation, similar in many respects
10 our own Federal Union. If the great
and enlightened German States, occupy
log as they do, central and commanding
position in Europe, shall succeed in estab-
fishing such Confederated government.
securing. at the same time. to the citizens
.of each State, local governments. adapted
10 the peculiar condition Of each, with un-
restricted trade and intercourse with each
other, II will be an important era in the
history Of human events. Whilst it will
scunsoiidate and strengthen the power Of
Gefmany, il must essentially promote the
scsuse Of peace, commerce. civilization,
9 and constitutional liberty throughout the
world. ssz-..
"a With all the governments on this con-
3 tinent. our relations, II is believed, are now
9 on more friendly and satisfactory footing
than they have ever been OF any former
period. s@ -
sss Since the exchange Of ratification Of the
sTreaty Of Peace with Mexico. our inter-
9 course with the Government, of that Re-
public has been of the most friendly char.
acter. The Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary OF the United
i. States to Mexico has been received and
5 accredited, and diplomatic representative
$ from Mexico of similar rank has been re-
! ceised and accredited by this Government.
s The amicable relations between the two
! countries, which had been suspended. have
been happily restored, and are destined.
trust, 10 be long preserved. The two Re,
,gpubiics. both situated on this continent. and
with contiguous territories, have every
,f motive of sympathy and Of interest to
s. bind them together in perpetual amity.
asB This gratifying condition of our For
Afeign Relations renders it unnecessary fol
me local your attention more specially te
them. 79 .Seess55.