The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-13

real branch of business in the country When through
out the country have had better times , When has
the farmer found better market for his staple products
When has labor been more constantly employed or better
paid! When have the comforts and necessaries oil lie
IF foreign growth manufacture been cheaper to the
consumer' Before you consent to sacrifice system
fruitful of such results consider well whether under any
previous administration the internal prosperity OF your
country has been better or more successfully cared Tor
But ii by its policy in the conduct OF our foreign re-
lations that the present administration has made IFS
broadcast and most shining mark upon our history, and
effected against foreign power and domestic opposition,
the ganaes results for the renown Of our national name
md the vast advancement OF national prosperity and
resources Ii is with this department OF the adminisira
ZION, too, that both General Cass and General Butler
have most signaly identified their names with the wise
and patriotic policy OF the Executive. In view them OF
The votes which you soon to give, this subject de-
mands your earnest attention.
The most Infatuated OF our opponents will not serious
" attempt TO deny that foreign relations al this
moment most prosperous and commanding position.
succession of commercial treaties with several OF the
European and South American powers has extended
our commerce, opened to il new channels and
kets relieved it from discriminating duties which
previous administrations have sought IN vain TO remove,
and thus borne the most emphatic testimony 10 the able
and patriotic craftsmanship which has watched over this
department of national affairs New and vast realms,
with ncaculable commercial advantages have been add
ed by vaor and policy to our national domain while
the sober second thought OF the civilized world, even
when regarding with admiration our national prowess,
bears full witness 70 the Just and peaceful spirit which has
guided our councils, and the humanity and moderation
victories
AT the outset of his administration. Mr.. Polk found
our disputed rights in relation to Oregon unsettled Sew
ea OF his predecessors had attempted to settle the ques
tion-proposin5 line OF boundary the 10th parallel
OF north latitude This had been long and steadily rejected
by the British government, who claimed down TO The Co.
lumbia river. Emgrans were locking ts the country,
and seeking the protection of our laws Mr. Polk de-
termined to settle the question He was the irs Pesi
dent who had the boness to increase our Demands and
had the WING party and out OF Congress sustained him.
az General Cass did in the Senate he would have fully
succeeded
The mastery diplomatic correspondence which main,
tanned our rights concliaed in favor the verdict OF
intelligent statesmen throughout the world, and wrung
from the most eminent political leaders OF the French
Chamber of Deputies the memorable dec araton, America
will not yield England will yield and me oregon con-
troversy will be settled on the line of AZ degrees
But England ntrenched herself on the alleged rights
OF her joint occupancy as settled under Mr. Adams s
administration in the convention OF 1928 And to meet
this British position Mr. Polk resolved upon measure
which, in all the highest attributes of craftsmanship is
unsurpassed in the diplomatic history OF the country, or
OF the age.
In his first annual message, he recommended to Con-
gress the propriey of giving Great Britain notice to
terminate the treaty for joint occupancy, taking high
and decisive step, should still have been negotiating
and would have still continued to negotiate until the
country had fallen into the hands OF England. But no
sooner this message published to the people, than
the Webstcrs, the Evanses the Corwins and the whole
phalanx of whgery, assaed the President as intending
to involve the country in war; by an unjust claim to
speeches, and put Arguments IN the mouth OF the British
minister which he had never before conceived, The
country became alarmed. The President not
tanned His own friends were not united and the wing
party to a man were against him. The British govern
ment fixed their ultmatum at 4oo This they had for
thirty years before pernacousy refused In this crisis
the President conceived it TO be his duty under the
example of several of his distinguished predecessors,
to submit the British proposition to the Senate for
their advice, declaring at the same time that he did
not himself fully approve OF it, and that he would
not sign such a treaty unless recommended by two
thirds of the Senate General Cass OF the
tors who in that crisis stood by his country and met the
arguments of those who he conceived were surendeng
up American rights. Twothirds OF the Senate, being
constitutional majority, recommended the President to
make the treaty according to the proposition submitted,
which, after being signed, ratified by the Senate
The basis upon which this treaty was made had fire.
auently been affirmed by Mr.. Folks predecessors, and
always rejected by the British government.
We now come TO that important achievement which
we regard the browning glory OF the present admins
tration In the of 1884, OF the most prom
nent issues before the country the question of the
annexation of Texas. That interesting land was filled
with emgrans from our own country Our brothers, our
relatives, and friends, were there. Initiating the
example OF their revolutionary fathers they suffered not
They declared their Independence, and cemened it with
their blood upon the battlefield. Treasures they had
none but they had patriotic hearts and salwart
After having been independent nation for eight years,
and SO recognised by the United States and Of the
civilized nations OF the world they asked protection from
Us They asked again TO around the family altar,
this great nalion share the burdens of government,
and bear their part in the responsibility of its deences
AS return for protection, they Offered to bring with
them their rich domain-their mines of untold wealth,
and
"'Those boundess unshern fields where fingers yet
The beauty ofthe earth e'er man had sinned"
The people at the presidential election decided that the
door should be opened, and the succeeding session of
Congress passed resolution providing for the annexa
ton upon the most liberal terms. To consul inmate this
great measure the first important act of Mr. Folks
administration. Texas accepted the TERMS and she is
of the States OF this Union. Having consented
annexation, became first duty to give her protec
ton For this purpose sufficient force ordered to
our frontier conflict ensued, the blood of
citizens shed upon soil, and the battles
of Palo Alto and Resaca fought The President,
in patriotic and truly American message, recommended
prompt measures to Congress Congress, with great
unanimy, responded to the call, and placed at the dis
posa of the President and money for the prosecu-
ton of the war; already existing by the outrageous act
OF Mexico. The patriotic spirit of the country was
aroused. The question not who shall go defend
the honor of the nation, but who shall stay at home.
1t is unnecessary infinitely to detail the incidents of the
brilliant achievements of this war; and the admirable abi
y and vgor with which the schemes OF great it's victories
were organized by the administration They are fresh
upon the memory OF all The father, with proud and
bouyant spirits, will recount them to his children and
they will be handed down to posley to the latest
ration But the war Is over, and peace again smiles
upon the land. Our boundary rghtuIly settled at the
Rio Grande and we have acquired indemnity the ter
ritoy of New Mexico part of Sonora, and Upper Cali
fona, with its spacious harbos, its fertile plains and
mex baustibe mineral wealth. We have thus gained a
million OF land, which at 20 cents per acre will
more than pay all the expenses OF the But this
the unimpotant feature OF the acquisition By this
treaty, and the treaty with Great Britain for Oregon we