The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1848-12-06
CECIL G--EXTRA.
ELkTON, MD.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER G, 1sis
F.llO,o- Ctt.zsns of The Senate

I.
the representatives of the States and of the people
again brought together deliberate for the pub
lie good The gratitude of the nation to the sover
egn ATbiter of all human events should be commen-
surate with the boundess blessings which we enjoy
Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout
our borders, and our beloved country presents sub
lime moral spectacle to the world.
The troubled and unsettled condition Of some of
the principal European powers has had necessary
tendency to check and embarrass trade, and to de-
press prices throughout all commercial nations: but
Notwithstanding these causes, the United States with
their abundant products have felt their effects less
severely than any any other country, and all our
great interests are still prosperous and successful
In reviewing the great events of the past year. and
contrasting the agitated and disturbed state of other
countries with our own tranquil and happy cond-
ton, we may congratulate ourselves that are
the most favored people ON the face of the earth
While the people of other countries struggling
to establish free institutions, under which may
govern himself, we are in the actual enjoyment of
them--a rich inheritance from fathers. While
enlightened nations Of Europe convulsed and dis
tracted by civil intestine strife, settle all
political controversies by the peaceful exercise
OF the rights OF freeinsn at the baotbox The great
republican maxim so deeply enEraven the heai Is
of our people, that the will of the majority consti-
tutonally expressed, shall prevail is sure safe
guard against force and violence. 1t is subject 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
it s to be attributed that while other nations have
achieved glory Mt the price of the suffering distress
and impoverishIsent of their people, we have won
our honorable position III the midst of uninterrup-
ted prosperity, and of an increasing individual
fort and happiness
am happy to inform you that our relations with
all nutions are friendly and pacific, Advantageous
treaties of have been concluded within the
last four years with New Grenada, Peru, the Two
Scilies Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Neck
enburg Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the re-.
strctive system of Great Britain, principal for
eIgn customer, has been relaxed; more liberal COM
neroal policy has been adopted by other enlightened
nnt IN hD hnp,t
extended. Our country stands higher in the respect
of the world than at my former period. To conti-
hue to occupy this proud posit M it is only
to preserve peace and faithfully adhere the great
and fundamental principle of aur foreign policy OF
nom interference in the domestic of other
nations. We recognize i'll all nations the rights
which we-enloy ourselves, to change and reform
their political institutions, according to their own
will and pleasure Hence do not look behind
existing governments capable Of maintaining their
own authority. We recognise all such actual gov
crnments, not only from the dictates of true policy
hut from sacred regard for the independence of ma
tons.
While this is settled policy, it does not follow
that we can ever be Indifferent spectators of the
progress of liberal principles, The government and
people of the United States hailed with enthusiasm
and delight the establishment of the French repub-
lie, as we now hail the efforts in progress to unite
the States of Germany III u confederation similar In
many respects to our own Federal Union Ii the
great and enlightened German States occupying as
they do central and commanding position in Eu-
rated government, securing at the time to the
citizens n each STATE local governments adapted Ia
the peculiar condition of EACH with unrestricted
trade and intercourse with each other, it will be All
important era in the history of human events
Whilst 1t will consolidate and strengthen the power
OF Germany, 1t must essentially promots the cause
of peace, commerce. civilization, and constitutional
liberty throughout the world.
With all the governments on this continent our re.
atoms, it is believed, are now more friendly
and satisfactory footing than they have been al
any former period.
Since the exchange Of Publications of the treaty OF
peace with Mexico, intercourse with the gov.
ernnent OF that republic has been of the most friend
ly character. The Envoy Extraordinary and Minis.
ter Plenipotentiary of the United States to Mexico
has been received and accredited; and Diplomats
representative from Mexico Of similar rank has been
received and accredited by this government The
amcabe relations between the two countries ,yhir,
had been suspended have been happily restored and
destined, trust, to be long preserved. The two
republics, both situnee on this continent, and with
cotcrmnons territories have every mntivr symp.,-
thy and of interest to bind them together perpctu-
al amity.
This gratifying condition of our foreign relations
renders it unnecessary for to call your attention,
more specifically to them.
1t has beeiRTny constant aim and desire to cult.
vate peace and commerce with all nations. Tran
quillity at home, and peaceful relations abroad
stitute the true peruanen tpolicy OF our country
War, the scourge of nation, sometimes becomes in.
evitabs, but is always to he avoided when il can be
done consistently with the rights and honor Of the
nation
One of the most important results of the war into
which were recently forced with neighborinr
nation is the demonstration it has afforded Of the mi
hary strength Of our country. Before the late wal
with Mexico European and other foreign Powers Ell.
tertained imperfect and erroneous views of our phy
steal strength nation, and Of ability tc pro.
secute war, and especially a war wagcd ont of ouI
Hn country. They saw that standing army on
t." peace establishment did not exceed ten Thousand
men.
accustomed themselves to maintain in reace large
standing armies for the protection of thrones against
their own subjects, as well as against foreign enc
mics, they had not conceived that it was possible
for naton without such an army, well disciplined
and of long service, to wage war successfully They
held in low repute our Gl tia and were far from
regarding them effective force, unless it might
be for temporary defensive operations, when invaded
our own soil. The events of the late war with
Mexico have not only undeceived them but have
removed erroneous impressions which prevailed to
some extent even among portion of our own coull-
trymen. That war has demonstrated that upon the
breaking out OF hostilites not anticipated and for
which no previous preparation had been made, n
volunteer army of citizen soldiers, equal to veteran
troops, aud in numbers equal to any emergency can
IN IA short period be brought INTO the field
Unlike what would have occurred in any other
country, we were under no necessity of resortlng
daughts conscriptions. On the contrary, such was
the number OF volunteers who periodically rendered
their services, that the chief difficulty was in making
selections and determining who should be disappont
cd and compelled to remain at home. Our citizen
soldiers unlike those drawn from the population
of any other country. They composed indiscri-
nnately OF all professions and pursuits: Of farmers
lawyers, physicians, merchants, manufacturers, me-
chances and laborers and this, not only among the
officers, but the private soldiers in the ranks Our
citizen soldiers unlike those any other country
in other respects They are armed md have been
accustomed from their youth up to handle and use
hrsarms; and large proportion Of them, especially
IN the western and more new settled States are
expert marksinen. They are men who have Il repu-
atlon TO maintain ot home by their good conduct IN
the field They are intelligent, and there Is an inai-
vduaity of character which is found in the ranks of
no other army In battle, each private man. M well
as every officer, fights not only for his country but
for glory and distinction among his fellow citizens
when he shall return to civil life
The war with Mexico has demonstrated not only
the ability of the government to organize numerous
army upon sudden call, but also to provide it with
all the munitions and necessary supplies with dis
patch convenience, and ease and to direct opera
lions with efficiency. The strength Of iustitu-
tons with efficiency. The strength of our institu-
tons has not only been displayed in the skill and va
LOT OF our troops engaged i'll active service in the
field, but i'll the organization of those executive
branches which were charged with the general di,
rectlon and conduct of the war. While too great
praise cannot be bestowed upon the officers and men
who fought our battles it would be UNJUST TO with
hold from those.ocsrs necessarily stationed Mt home
who were charged with the duty of furnishing the
army, in proper time, and at proper places with ail
the munitions Of war and other supplies so necessa
they are entitled
The credit due to this class of our officers is the
greater, when 1t is considered that army in an
cent or modern times was ever better appOints Il mr.
provided than our army in Mexico Operating n an
eneny's country, removed two thousand miles from
the seat OF government, it's different corps bread
over vast extent of territory, hundreds and even
Thousands OF miles apart from each other, nothing
short Of tho untirng vigilance and extraordinary Ell,
ergy OF those officers could have enabled them to
provide the army at all points, and in proper season
with all that required for the most Ell cient
vice.
1t is but an act Of justice to declare, that the Off
GERS in charge of the several executive bureaus ul