Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-12-27
j)rfsiotnt's Alfssage.
Fs,lov- Citizens Of the Senate and
@ss House of Reuresentafives


.' House Of representatives,:
Under the benignant providence Of Al
mighty 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. soye-
reign Arbiter OF all human events, should
be commensurate with the boundless
blessings which we enjoy. Peace, pfen-
ty and contentment, reign throughout our
borders, and our beloved county presents
"a sublime 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 .depress prices
throughout all commercial nations but,
notwithstanding these causes, the United
States, with their abundant products, have
felt their effects less severely than any
other country, and all our great interests
are still pros porous and successful. In
reviewing the great events of the past
year, and contrasting the agitated and dis
turbed state of ether 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 coun-
tries are struggling to establish free insti-
tutions, under which man may govern
himself, We are inthe actual enjoyment of
them-a rich inheritance from our fathers.
and while enlightened nations of Eu-
rope 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 ireemen, at the bal
lot box. The great republican maxim, so
deeply engraved on the hearts OF our peo-
pie, that the will Of the majority constitu-
tionlliy expressed, shall prevail, is our
sure safeguard against force and violence.
1t is subject of just pride, that our
fame and character as a nation continues
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
at the price Of the suffering, distress, and
impoverishment Of their people, we have
gained our honorable position in the midst
Of an uninterrupted prosperity, and Of an
increasing individual comfort and happi-
ness.
am happy to inform you, that our re-
lations with all nations are friendly and
pacific. Advantageous treaties of COM
merce have been concluded within the last
four years, with New Grenada, Peru, the
Two Sicilies, Belgium, Hanover, Olden-
bargh, and Mecklenburgh. Pursuing
our example, the restrictive system OF
Great Britain, our principal foreign GUS
toner, has been relaxed; and more lib
eral commercial policy has been adopted
by other enlightened nations, and cur trade
has been greatly enlarged and extended.
Our country stands higher in the respect
of the world than at any former PERIOD
10 continue to occupy this proud position
It IS only necessary to preserve peace and
faithfully adhere to the great fundamental
principle Of our foreign policy-no inter-
ference IN the domestic concerns Of other
nations. We recognize in all nations the
rights which we enjoy ourselves, and to
change and reform their political nsti-
tulons according to their own will and
pleasure. Nor do we look behind exist 1
ing governments capable of maintaining
their own authority. We recognize all
such actual governments, not only from
the dictates OF true policy, but from a sa-
cred regard for the independence of ma
tons.
While this is our settled policy, it does
not follow that we can ever be indifferent
spectators Of the progress of liberal prin- 1
cples. The Government and the people |
Of the United States witnessed with enthu-
sasm and delight, the establishment of the
French Republic, as we now hail the ef-
forts in progress to unite the States of Ger
many in confederation similar, in many
respects, to our own federal Union. Ii
the great and enlightened German States,
occupying, as they do, the central and
commanding position in Europe, shall sue
coed in establishing such confederated
government, securing at the same time to
The citizens Of each State loca. Govern
ments adapted to the peculiar condition OF
each --unrestrained trade and intercourse
with each other 1T will be an important
era in human events. Whilst it will con-
solIdate and strengthen the power Of Ger
many, it must essentially promote the
cause OF peace, commerce, civilization,
and constitutional liberty, throughout the
world.
With all the Governments on this con-
unent, our relations, it is believed, are
now on more friendly and satisfactory
loo'lng than they ever have been at any
former period.
;, Once the exchange of notifications of
.ne treaty Of peace with Mexico, our in
tercourse with the Governments of the
Mexican Republic has been of the most
friendly character. The Envoy Extraor-
qlaary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States to Mexico, has been receiv-
"a and accredited /; and diplomatic rep
iiesentatlye from Mexico; Of similar rank,
@as oeen received and accredited by this
government. The amicable relations be-
.Neeh The two countries, which had been
suspended, have been happily restored,
sla are destined, | trust, to be long pre-
served. The two republics, both situated
~ 'nis continent, and with contiguous ter
'i.olies, have every motive for sympathy |