Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-12-22
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fezlosc- Citizens Of the Senate and
EIn..on- Z, 6 -.

Under the benignant providence of Almighty
God, the representatives of the States and of the
People, are again brought together to deliberate
FOR the public good. The gratitude of the nation
to the sovereign Arbiter of all human events
altogid be Commensurate with the boundless bless
ings we enjoy. Peace plenty and contentment
reign throughout our borders, and beloved
country presents sublime moral spectacle to the
world. The troubled and unsettled condition OF
some of the principal European powers has had
necessary tendency to cheek and enbarrass trade
and depress prices throughout all commercial ma
tons; 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 great interests are still prosperous asd
successful
In reviewing the great events of the past year.
and contrasting the aeitatei and disturbed state of
other countries with our own happy and tranquil
condition. we may congratulate ourselves taat we
are the most favored people on the face OF the
earth. While the people OF other countries are
struggling to establish free institutions under which
man may govern himself, we are in the actual ca
Joyment of them-a rich inheritance from our ia
thers-and while enlightened nations Of Europe
are convulsed and distracted by civil wars, or in
testne strife, settle all political controveE-
sizes by the peaceful exercise of the rights of free
men at the bdllot-box. The great republican MAJ <
i'm, deeply engraved on the hearts of the PEG
pie that the will of the majority, constitutonalfy
expressed, shall prevail, IS our sure safeguard
against force and violence.
1t is subject OF Just pride that our frame ana
character as nation continue rapidly to advance
IN the estimation of the civilized world. To our
wise and free institutions, it is TO be attributed
that while other nations have achieved glory 81
the price the suffering, distress, and impoverish-
nent of the people, we have gained our honorable
position in the midst OF uninterrupted prospect
atty, OF an increasing individual comfort and hapPE-
ness
] am happy TO inform von, that our relations
with all nations friendly and pacific AdvaH-
tageous treaties of commerce have been made
within the last four years with New Grenada, Pc
II, the two Sicilles, Belgium, Hanover Oidenburg,
and Nlecklenbcrg Pursuing example, the re-
strictive SYSTEM Of Great Britain principal
foreign customer, has been relaxed, and more
liberal commercial policy has been adopted By
other nations, and our trade has been greatly en-:
iarged and extended. Our country stands higher
III the respect of the world than at any former
period To continue to occupy tals proud posi-
ton. It Is only necessary 10 preserve peace and
faithfully adhere to the great fundamental principe
OF our foreign pollcy-nO interference III the do
Enestlc concerns of foreign nations. We recos-
ME IL all nations the right which we enjoy our
selves, to change and conform their political lTst
tutions according to their own VIII and pleasure
Nor do we look behind existing governments ca
pabe Of maintaining their own authority We
recognize all such actual governments, not only
from the Dictates oftrue policy, but from sacred
regard for the independence OF nations.
While this is our settled policy. does not fol-
low that can ever be Indifferent spectators Of
the progress of liberal principles. The Govern
rnent and people Of the United States witnessed
with enthusiasm and delight, the Enlistment Of
the French Republic, hail the Efforts
in progress to unite the States OF Germany In d
confederation, similar, in many respects. TO our
own federal Union. Ii the great and enlightened
iTernan states, occupying as they do, the central
and eommand NJ position in Europe, shall succeed
IN establishing such co1tederated government,
securing the same time Il the citizens OF each
State local Governments, adapted TO the peculiar
condition Of each--unrestricted trade and inter
course with each otheT-it viii be important
era IN human events. Whilst it viii consolidate
and strengthen the power of Germany It must
essentially promote the cause of peace, commerce
civilization, and constitutional liberty throughout
the world
With all the Governments on this continent,
our relations, il is believed, are now on a more
friendly and satisfactory footing than they ever
have been ct any former period.
Since the exchange OF Tauhcabons OF the treaty
Of peace with Mexico, our Intercourse with the
Government IF the Mexican Republic has been
Of fhc most friendly character. The Envoy EX
traordiHaer ana Minister Pienipotentiary of the
JLI.el States 20 Mexico, has been received and
accredited; and a diplomatic representative from
Mexico, of similar rank, has been received and
accredited by THIS Government, The amca5le
relations between the two countries, which had
seen suspended, are restored, and are destined, /
trust, to be long preserved. The two republics,
both situated this continent and with contisu-
Gus territories, have every motive for sympathy
of feeling and Of interests, To bind them toae he T
IN perpetuity and amity.
This gratifying condition of foreign rela-
tons, renders it unnecessary for me to call your
attention more particularly to them.
Ithas been my constant ann and desire to cul-
tivate peace and anlity with all nations. Tran
guilty at home and peaceful relations abroad,
constitute the true, permanent policy OF our coun-
try Wharf.-The scourge of natons-SometImeS
becomes inevitable, bat is always TO be avoided
when il can be done consistently with the rights
Of aud honor OF the nation. One OF the most
important results of the into which we were
recently brought with neighboring nation Is the
demonstration it has Afforded of the military.
strength of our country Before the late war with
Mexico European and other foreign powers, enter
tanned imperfect and erroneous views OF our phys
zeal strength a nation, and Of our ability 10
prosecute war, and a war out OF our own coun-
try. They saw that our standing army on the
peace establishment, did not exceed 10000 men
Accustomed, themselves, to maintain IN peace
large standing armies for the pro- on OF thrones
against foreign enemies they had not conceived
that IL was possible for nation without such an
army Well disciplined and of long service, to
wage war successfully They held In low Tepute
our militia, and We're far from regarding them as
an ehecuIe force unless II might be for Temporal
~ defensive operations, when invaded on soil.
ne events oil TIE ate war with Mexico have not
only nndecelved them. but have removed errone-
Gus impressions which prevailed to some extent.
even among portion of our own co,lntrvmen.-
But this var has demonstrated that upon the break
ing out OF hostIlitIes, not anticiuated and for
which no previous preparations had been made a
volunteer army of citIzen-soliiers equal 10 veteran
troops, and IN number equal to any emergency
can, in short period. be brought into the field =
Unlike what would have occurred in any othsr
country, we were under no necessity of resortng