Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-12-07

President Polk, which was transmitted /
both Houses Of Congress at IL o'clock. noon
on Tuesday, the 9Th instant TO relieve tn
public anxiety to procure an early copy Of it
We hasten 10 lay it before our readers, at a
early an hour as possible, in an extra sheer:
fsioD cPfsens Of tie Senate
and Hoase Of RspTessntattpes.
Under the benignant Providence of AL
mighty God, the representatives, of tht
States and OF the people are again brouph
together 10 deliberate for the public good =
The gratitude Of the nation to the SOVEREIGN
ArDiter Of all human events, should be cam
mensurate with the boundless BLESSING,
which we enjoy.
Peace, plenty, and contentment reign
throughout our borders, and our beloved
country presents a sublime moral spectacle
10 the world.
The troubled and unsettled condition q,
some Of the principal European powers has
had necessary tendency 10 check and EN-.
oafrass trade. and to depress prices through
out all commercial nations; bntnotwiths,and
ing these causes, the United States, with
their abundant products, have felt their eff.
fects less severely than any other country.
and all our great interests are still prosper
Gus and successful.
In reviewing the geeat events of the past
year, and contrasting the agitated and dis.
turbed state Of other countries with our own
tranquil and happy condition, we may con-
graduate ourselves that we are the most ia
vored people on the face of the earth. ,NhiIe
the people of other countries are struggling
10 establish free Institutions, under which
man may govern himself, we are in the ac
tual enjoyment of them--a rich inheritance
from our fathers. While enlightened na
tons of Europe are convulsed and distracted
by civil war or intestine strife, we settle all
our political controversies by the peaceful ex-
ercise Of the rights Of freemen at the ballot
box The great republican maxim so deep
ly eHGragen on the hearts of our people, that
the will Of the majority, constituiionally ex-
pressed, shall prevail, IS our sure safeguard
against force aud violence. It is a subjec,
Of just pride, that our fame and character as
nation continue rapidly to advance in the
estimation Of The civilized world. To our
wise and free Institutions il is to be attribu-
ted, that while other nations have achieved
glory at the price of the suffering, dis ress,
and impoverisbment Of their people, we have
won our honorable position in the midst OF an
uninterrupted prosperity, and of an increased
individual comfort and happiaess. am hap
py to inform you that our relations with all
nations are friendly and pacific. Advantage
Gus treaties Of commerce have been conclu-
ded within the last four yeas with New Gre
media, Peru. the Two Sicilies, Belgium,
Hanover, Oldenburg, and Mecklenburg-
Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the re-
strictive system Of Great Britain, our princi-
pal foreign customer, has been relaxed; a
more liberal commercial policy has been
adopted by other enlightened nations, and
our trade has been greatly enlarged and 'ex-
tended. Our country stands higher in the
respect of the world than at any former peri
3D. To continue to occupy this proud posi-
tion. it is emily necessary TO preserve peace.
and faithfully adhere to the great and tunda-
mental principles OF our foreign policy, Of
non interference in the domestic concerns Of
other nations. We recognize in all nations
the rights which We enjoy ourselves, to
change and reform their political institutions,
according TO their own will and pleasure
Hence we do not look behind existing gov
ernmens, capable of maintaining their own
authority. We recognize all such actual go
vernmenls, not only from the dictates of true
policy. but from sacred regard for the indie
pencence of nations.
While this is our settled policy, it does not
follow that we can ever be Indifferent spec
tators of the progress of liberal principles
The government and people Of the United
States hailed with enthusiasm and delight
the establishment of the French republic, as
we hail the efforts ia progress to unite the
States Of Germany In confederation, similar
IN many respects 10 our own federal Union.
If the great and enlightened German States,
occupying, as they do, central, and com
handing position in Europe, shall succeed
IN establishing such c0niederated govesn.
ment, securing at the same time 10 the ci,i.
Ions Of each State, local governments adap-
ted to the peculiar condition of each, with
unrestricted trade and intercourse with each
other, it will be an important era in the his.
Tory of human events. Whilst il will con.
soldate and strengthen the power of Germa
ny, 1t must essentially promote the cause Of
peace, commerce, civilization, and constitu-
With all the governments on the cont
nent our Iela lions, II Is believed, are now or
more friendly and satisfactory footing thar
they have ever been at any former period.
Since the exchange of notifications of The
treaty Of peace with Mexico, our intercourse
with the government of that republic ha:
been of the most friendly character. The
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenpo
Tertiary Of the United States 10 Mexico ha;
been received and accredited; and diploma
tic representative from Mexico of similar ranl
has been received and accredited By this gov
eminent. The amicable relations between
the two countries which had been suspende,
have been happily restored, and are destined
| trust, to be long preserved. The two re
publlcs, both situated on this continent, ant
with coierminous territories, have every mo
i've Of sympathy and of interest to bind then
together in perpetual aml,y.
This gratifying condition of our foreign re
latlons renders II unnecessary for me to cal
your attention more specifically to them.
II has been my constant aim and desire I
cultivate peace and commerce with all ma
lions. tranquility at home, and peaceful
relations abroad constitute the true psrmanen
policy of our country. War, the scourge @
nations, sometimes becomes inevitable, but i
always TO be avoided when ii can be don
consistently with the right and honor of tn
nation.
One OF the most important results of tn
war into which we were recently forced wit
q neighboring nation, is the demonstration
has afforded of the military strength of on
country. Before the late war with Mexico
Europeau and other foreign Powers ente
,ained imperfect and erroneous views Of OF
physical strength as nation, and of our abil
~ TO prosecute war, and especially wa
waged out Of our own country. lhey sa
-, - .t.ndioaf armv nm the Dpacp psta