Saturday morning visitor., 1848-12-23
BY Telegraph for The 81. Louis Union.
PRESIDENT'S MESSiGE.
Euou. Caisens of The Senate,
'''se and House Of Representatives,:

ana Rouse OF representatives.:
Under the bengnant Providence of Al
mighty God, the Representatives of the
States and Of the people are again brought
f,gether IN deliberate for the public good
The grotiude Of the nation TO The Sove-
reign Arbrer of all human events, should
lie comm nsurate with the boundless bles-
sings ~hich We enjoy. Peace, plenty and
ronleniment reign throughout our bor-
ders, aud our belo, ed country presents a
sHplime moral spectacle to the world
The troubled and unsettled condition of
.ome "i the principal European powers,
Has had u necessary tendency to check and
rmbarraSs trade, and to deRress prices
Throughout all coinnrerci;;, nations hui,
Notwithstanding these causes, the United
States, with their abundant products, have
ialt their effects less Sc, erely than any O.
tlss connry, and all otir grea: interests
are sail prosperous and successful. In
Viewing the great vents of the past year,
and contrasting the agilaled and disturbed
state of other countries. with our own
tranquil aud happy condition, we may con-
graduate ourselves that we are the most
Ignored people on the fdce OF the earth.
While the people of other countries are
struggling 10 establish free institutions.
under which man may euyern himself,
we are in the actual possession of them
rich Inheritance OF our fathers AMI while
enlightened nation, Of Europe are convul-
sed and distracted by civil war, or ihes-
tine strife, we settle all onr political CON
trosersies 10y the peaceful exercise of the
rights of lreemen at the ballot box. he
great Republican maxim, 80 deeply en-
craven on .the hearts OF our people, that
the viii Of the majority, conslitutinnaIly
EXPRESSED, shall prevail, is our sure safe
guard against iurce and violence.
II is a subject Of just pride, that our
iaue anl character a. nation, continue
rapidly 10 advance IN the estimation of the
civilized world. To cur wise and free
inStitu ions il is 10 be attributed, that while
other nations have achieved glory at the
price ol the snherlug, distress aud iinpnv-
erishnept ul their people, We have enjoy
ed our honorable position, in the midst OF
am uninterrupted prosperity, and Of in
c,cAshig indi, idual camort aud happiness.
| AM happy 10 inform you that our relu-
tinns with all nations are friendly and pa
eitic; advantageous treaties of commerce
have been concluded within the past four
years with New Grenada, Peru, the Two
Siciies, Belgium, Hanover, Oldenhurgh
and Mecklenburgh. Pursuing our exam
pie, The restrictive system Of Great Brit
ain, our princIpd foreign customer, has
been relaxed. and a more liberal CONNER
cial policy has been adopted by other en-
lighiened nations, and our trade has been
greatly enlarged and extended. Our
country stands higher in the respect OF
theworld than at any former period. To
continue 10 occupy this proud position, ii
il. only necessary 10 preserve peace, and
faithfully adhere 10 the great fundamental
pEipciples Of our foreign policy, no inter-
ference in the domestic concerns of other
nations. We recognise in all nations the
rights witch We enjoy ourselves, and to
Change and reform their political insliiu-
lions according % their own will and
pleasure. Nor de we look behind exist
ing governments, capable of maintaining
Qaeir own authority. We recognise all
such actual governments, not only from
The dictates of true policy, but from a sa-
cred regard for the independence of ma
tions.
While this is our settled policy, il does
NOT follow that we can ever be indifferent
spectators Of the progress Of liberal prin.
oinles. 40 he government and the neonle
Of the United States witnessed with en-
lhusiash and delight the establishment of
the French Republic, as we now hail ille
effort in progress to unite The States of
Gefnsny in confederation similar in ma
nv respects 10 our vwn Federal Union =