The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-09

Iop Cihzeis Of ne Senate,
and HoBse of RsDfesenfdfires:

rRass DENTS ssEssAGg.
Fsiiop Ciiizefe Of the Senate,
and House Of Representatives,:
Under the benignant Providence of Almighty
God, the Representatives of the States, and OF
the people, are again brought together 10 deliber-
ate for the public good. The gratitude of the ma
shouldbe commensurate with the boundless bles-
sings which we enjoy.
Peace, plenty and eontentment, reign through
out our borders, and our beloved country presents
sublime moml spectacle 10 the world.
The troubled and unsettled condition of some of
the principal European powers, has had a neces-
sary tend cncy to check and embarrass trade, and
TO depress prices throughout all commercial ma
lions; but Notwithstanding these causes, the Uni
ted States with their abundant products have felt
their effects less severely than any other country,
and all our gest interests are still prosperous and
successful.
In reyewag the great events of the past year,
and contrasting the agitated and disturbed state oil
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 countries are
struggling &c establish free Institutions, under
which man nav govern himsslf, we are in the &C
tual enjoyment of them-a rich inheritance from
our fathers; while enlightened nations OF Europe
dfe cOnNulSed ana ulSudCleu Dy CIVIL Wtf, OF
testine strife, settle our political controversies
by the peaceful exercise Of the rights of freemen
at the ballot box; the great republican maxim, so
deeply engraved on the hearts OF our people, thai
the will of the majority, constitutionally express
sed, shall prevail, is our sure safeguard against
force and Violence. Ii is a subject Of just pride,
that our fame and character, as a nation, con
tinue rapidly to advance in the estimation Of the
civilized wGld. To oar wise al free Institutions
il is 10 be atIibuted that while other nations have
achieved glory at the price of the suffering, dis
tressa ndimpoyerishment OF their people, we have
attained honorable position lin the midst of al
uninterrupted prosperity and of an increasing In
dividual oorniort and happiness.
happy 10 inform you that our relations with
all nations are friendly and pacific, and adj
yantsgeous 'reates OF commerce have been con-
cluded within the last four years with New
Grenada, Perm The two Sicilies, Belgium, Han
over. Oldenbfrf, Neckfenburg and Schwern
Pursuing oW example, the restrictive system
Of Great Efitain, our pfin:ipal foreign Gus
TONER has been relaxed. A more liberal com
mercial policy has been adopted by other en-
ilghtened Nations, and our trade has been great
~ enlarged and extended. Our country stands
higher in theTespect Of the world than at any for
mer period. TO continue 10 occupy this PROUD
position il isenly necessary 10 preserve peace ane
faithfully ahere the great fundamental prln
ciple of our breigu policy OF non interference u
the domestioconcenis of other nations. We re-
coguze in all latons the rights which we ENJOY our
selves and tonhsnge and reform their political in
stitutions according 10 their own will and pleas
ure. Nor wedo not look behind existing Govern
ments, capabe ofmaintsinIng their own authority
we recognise all such actual Governments moi
only from thedictates of true policy, but itOm 4
sacred regardfor the independence of Nations.
While this Is our settled policy, il does not fol
low that we can even be indifferent spectators o
the progress Il liberal principles. The Government
and people OF the United States, filled with enthu
siasm and tklight in the establishment of tn
French Republic, we now hail the efforts in pro
gress TO units the States Of Germany in confed
Grafton simibr in many respects TO our own Fed
ersl Union; " the great and enlightened German
States, occupying, as they do, central and com
handing position in Europe, shall succeed in es
tablishing sdth a confederated Government, sc
curing at thdsame time to the citizens of eael
State local governments adapted 10 the peculia
condition oil each unrestricted trade and inter
course with zach other il viii be an important err
IN human ernts. Whilst il will consolidate AM
strengthen ne power OF Germany, il must essen
TALLY promae the cause Of peace, commerce, civ
ilization endconsttutional liberty throughout th'
world.
With all the Governments on this Continent
our relations IL is believed, are now on a NOR,
friendly and satisfactory footing than they hav'
ever been at any former period since the inter
change OF Publications of the treaty OF peace wit
Mexico. Qua intercourse with the Government o
that Republic has been of the most frieDdl,
character. The Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Penipote,tiary of the United States TO Mexico
has been received and accredited; and a diplomat
&c representation from Mexico, Of similar rank ha,
been reeeiveda and accepted BY this Government
The amieable relations between the two coun
tries which had been suspended, have been happl
" restored, and destined, trust, 10 be long pre-
served. The two Republics, both situated ON thii
Continent, and with contiguous territories have
every motive If sympathy, and of interest 10 bins
them togetherin perpetual amiIy.
This gratifying condition of our foreign relations
render il unn for me 10 call your attention
more specifically 10 them.
IL has BENNY constant aim and desire 10 culti
vate peace and commerce with all nations; tran
e % az s nssa p6sy 81 da h eoaa
try. War, the scourge OF nations, sometimes be
comes inevitable, but is always 10 be avoidet
when il can be lone consistently with the right
and honor of the nation.
tine of the most important results of the war
into which we were recently plunged with
neghboriDg nation, is the Demonstration il Ia,
afforded of the military strength Of our coun
try. Before the late war with Mexico, Euro
pean and othei foreign powers entertained i'm
perfect and erroneous views of our physica
strength as nition and OF our ability 10 pTosecut,
war, and wa' waged out of our country. They
saw that our sanding army on the peace estab
lishment did no. exceed ten thousand men. Accus
toned themselves TO maintain in peace large stand
ing armies, fd the protection of thrones agains
their own subjects as well as against foreign enc
mics, they have not conceived that il was possible
for a nation, without such an army, well discip
lined and of lang service, 10 wage war successful
ly; they held n low repute our militia, and were
far from regarding them as an effective force, un
less il might te for the temporary defensive opera
tons when infaded OH our own soil. The events
of the late war with Mexico have not only unde.
ceiyed them but have removed erroneous impress
SONS which prevailed, TO some extent, even among
portion OF oJr own countrymen; that war has de
monstrated that upon the breaking out of hostili
ties, not anticipated, and for which no previous
preparation Ind been made, volunteer army o.
citizen soldiers, equal 10 veteran troops, and in
numbers equal TO any emergency, can, in a shor
period, be brosght in the field, unlike what would
have occurred in any other country. We were
under no necessity OF resorting 10 drafts or con
scriptions; on The contrary such was the number o.
volunteers alphabetically rendered their services
that the chiefdiffculty was in making selections
and determining who should be disappointed anC
compelled TO iemain at home; our citizen soldiers
are unlike those drawn from the populace of othe
countries. They are composed indiscrimnatelv O
all professions and pursuits, of farmers, lawyers
physicians, merchants, manufacturers, mechanics
snd laborers; and this not only among the officers
but the private soldiers in the ranks. Our either
soldiers unlike those of any other country in 9th
er respects; they are armed, and have been accus
toned from their youth up TO handle and use IRE
arms, and large proportion Of them, especially il
the Western aiidmore newly settled States, are OK
pert fnarksmen. Theyare men who have a reputa
ton to maintain al home by their good conducts IN,
field, and they are intelligent and there is an ndl
vidualiiy Of character which Is found in the rank
of no other army. In battle, each private man, a
well as every officer, fights not only for his coun
try but for glory and distinction among his fellow
citizens whenEe shall return TO civil life.
The war with Mexico has demonstrated not onl
the ability OF the Government to organize numer
ous army upon sudden call, bnt also 10 provide
fr WIN ait Dr. Dsssnft1ons es<1 n<D~couss sePp3fe
with despatch, convenience and ease, and to direc
its operations with efficiency. The strength Of on
institutions has not only been displayed in the val