Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fslloso eitizens of the Senate
and of ihs Hanse nf RepreSeft0tipeS:

and of The House of Representatives:
Under The benignanl Providence OF Aimisn'.
G.. the representatives OF the STATES anu Va y, ~
people are again broue hi together TO dehoerate 10
me public good. The gratitude OF The nalion 10
the sovereign Arbiler OF all human events, shOult
be commensurate with the boundless blessing
which we enjoy.
Peace, plenty and conentment reign through
out our borders, and our beloved country presents
a sublime moral spectacle TO the world.
The troubled and unsettled condioB OF some
OF the principal European powers has had ne
cessary tendency 10 check and embarrass trade
and to depress prices throughout all commerce.
nations; but Notwithstanding these causes, Inc
United States with their abundant products, have
felt their effects less severely than any other coun
lry, and all our great interests are still prosperous
and successful.
In reviewing the great events OF the past year
and contrasting The asitated and disturbed state
Of other countries with our own tranquil and
happy condition, We may congratulate ourselves
that we are the most favored people on the face
oil The earth While the people OF other coun-
tries are struggling TO establish Tree institutions,
under which man may govern himself, we are
~ tho actual enjoyment Of ,hem-a rich inherit
lance from our fathers. While enligh,ed nations
oil Europe are convulsed and distracted by civil
war or intestine strife, we settle all our political
controversies by The peaceful exercise OF The
rights OF iIeemen at the ballot box. The great
republican maxim so deeply engraven on the
hearts OF our people, thstthe will OF the MAORI
", conslilutionally expressed, shall prevail, is
our sure safeguard against force and violence.
Il 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 il is 10 be attributed,
that while other nations have achieved glory at
he price OF The suffering, distress, and impo7er-
ishment OF their people, we have won our honora-
ole position in the midst Of an uninterrupted
prosperity, and OF an increasing individual COM
fon and happiness. am happy TO inform you
that our relations with all nations are friendly and
pacific. Advantageous treaties Of commerce
have been concluded within the last four years,
with New Grenada, Peru, The Two Sic.
lis, Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Neck
lenburg Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the re.
sttlciiVe system OF Great Britain, our prin-
clpal foreign customer has been relaxed;
more liberal commercial policy has been
adopted BY other enlightened nations, and
cur trade has been greatly enlarged and extend
ed. Our country stands higher in the respect OF
the Worls than al any former period To connueto
occupy This proud position, il is only necessary 10
preserve peace. and faithfully adhere 10 the grea
and fundamental principle OF our foreign policy OF
non-inererence in the domestic concerns of OH |
er nations We recognise in all nations The rights |
which We enjoy ourselves 10 change and reform |
their political institutions according to their own
will and pleasure. Hence we do not lock behind |
existing governments, capable of maintaining |
their own authority. We recognize all such ac-
tual governments, mol only from The dictates OF
roe policy, bur from sacred regard for the in
dependence OF nations.
While this is our settled policy, it does not
follow that we can ever be Indifferent specta-
Tors Of the progress of liberal principles. The
government and people of the United States
hailed with enthusiasm and delight the estab-
l;hment Of the French rtpablic, as we now hail
the efforts in progress 10 unite the States of
Germany in confederation, similar in many
respects to our own federal Union. If the great
and enlightened German States, occupying, as
they do, central and commanding position in
Europe, shall succeed in establishing such a con-
federated government, securing at the same time
10 the citizens Of each State, local governments
sdapted to the peculiar condition Of each, with
unrestricted trade and intercourse with each
other, it will be an important era in the histo-
and strengthen the power of Germany, il must
'"s..s' a,,iR,Sa.on, and constitutionai liberty
throughout the world.
With all the governments on this continent
mr. relations. it is believed, are now on more
friendly and satisfactory footing than they nave
ever been at any former period.
Since the exchange of Publications oil the
treaty. of peace with Mexico, our intercourse
with the Government of that Republic has oeen
Of the most friendly character Inc Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister PleniPoten'iary Oh
The United States TO Mexico has been received
and accredited; aud q diplomatic representative
from Mexico, Of similar rank, has been received
10 G0yarnment.
amicable relations between the two countries
which had been suspended have been happily
restored, and are destined, trust, TO be long
preserved The two Republics, both situated
on this continent, and with coterminous terrific
res, have every motive of sympathy and Of IN
lsres 10 bind them together in perpetual amity'
This gratifying condition of our foreign reia-
lions renders it unnecessary for me 10 call your
attention more specifically to them.
|, has been ms cons ant aim and desire 70 cui-
,iya,e neace and commerce with all nations
Tranquility at home, aud peaceful relations
abroad, constitute the true permanent policy OF
our country War, the scourge OF nations
sometimes becomes ii,u c;table, but is always 70
be avoided when it car be done consistently
with The rights and honor VI the nation.
One Of the most important results OF the war
into which we were recently forced WIN
afforded Of the military strength Of our country,
Before the late war with Mexico, European ana
other foreign powers entertained imperfect and
erroneous views of our physical strength as
nation, and of our ability to prosecute war, ana
especially war waged out of our own country.
They saw that our standing army on the
peace establishment did not exceed ten thou
sand men. Accustomed themselves to MAN.
tain in peace large standing armies Tor the
protection of thrones against their own
subjects, as well as against foreign enemies,
tney had not conceived thai IL was possible ior d
nation without such an army, we'll disciPiinpo
au. Of long service, 10 wage war successfully.
They held in low repuie our militia, and were
lar lrom 4 Harding them as an effective force,
unless IL might be Tor temporary defensive ope.
rslous when invaded on our own soil. Inc
events of The late war with Mexico have mol
only undeceived them, but have removed erfo-
leous impressions which prevailed 10 some e4-
ant even among portion oil our own ceuntIy-
men, That war has demonstrated, that upon tne
breaking out OF hostilies not anticipated, and iol
which no previous preparation had oeen made,
volunteer army OF citizen soldiers, equal 10 vete-
ian Hoops, and in numbers equal 10 any emer.
gsncy, can in a shoit period be brought into the
held. Unlike what would have occurred IN any
olher country, we were under no necessity OF re-
so''lne 10 draughls or conscriptions. YIN lhe
Contrary, such was The number OF volunteers
VINO periodically rendered their services, !nat
voc Chief difficulty was in making seiec.'ons
au u aeeTmning who should be disapPoiu!ea
anu Compelled 10 remain at home. Our cItl-
hsen-set'els are unlike those drawn from
Toe population of any other country. They
are composed indiscrimniely OF all proies-
'ions and pursuits: OF farmers, lawyers, phy-
heianS' merchants, manufacturers, mecnanics
ala laoorers; and This, not only among The ON
sss out the private soldiers in The ranks. Our
sNaen'sodiers are unlike those OF any other
ssoun'iy IN other respects. They are armed and
4 nave been accustomed from their youth up 10
handle and use fire arms; and large proportion
o. hem, especially in lhe Western and more
arsSiy.seiiled States. are expert maIksmen-