Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08
Presidents Message.
FsilotO Citizens Of the Senate .


Hinder the bengnani Providence OF Al
mighty God the Representatives of the
States and of the people ute again brought
together to deliberate for the public good
The gratitude of the nation to the sover.
uign Arbiter of all human events, should
he commensurate with the boundless bless
ings which we enjoy.
Peace, plenty, and conlentment reign .
,byouohout our borders, and our beloved
country 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 EN-
barrass trade, and to depress prices through
out all commercial nations; but notwith- |
standing these causes, the United States,
with their abundent products, have felt
their effects less severely than any other
country, and cur great interests are still
prosperous and successful.
In reviewing the great events Of the past
year, and contrasting the agitaled and dis
turbed 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 Of the earth.-
While the people of other countries are
struggling 10 establish free institutions, un-
der which man may govern himself, we are
in the actual enjoyment Of them-a rich
inheritance from our fathers. While en-
lightened nations Of Europe are convulsed
and distracted by civil war or intestine
strife, We settle all our political controyer-
sizes by the peaceful exercise Of the rights
of freemen at the ballot box The great
republican maxim so deeply engraved on
the hearts Of our people, that the will OF
the majority, constitutionaly expressed,
shall prevail, is our safeguard against force
and violence. II is a subject Of Just pride,
that our fame and character as a nation,
continues rapidly to advance in the estima-
ton Of the civilized world To our wise
and free institutions ii is to be attributed,
that while other nations have achieved glo-
ny at the price of the suffering, distress,
and impovershment Of their people, we
have won our honorable position in the
midst Of an uninterrupted prosperity, aud
of an increasing individual comfort and
happiness. am happy to inform you that
our relations 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
Siciles, Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg.
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Pursuing our
example, the restrictive system of Great
Britain, our principal foreign customer, has
been relaxed more liberal commercial
policy has been adopted by other enlight.
ened nations and our trade has been great.
ly enlarged and extended. Our country
stands higher in the respect Of the world
than at any former period. To continue
to occupy this proud position, it is only
necessary to preserve peace, and faithfully
adhere to the great and fundamental prn-
cipe OF our foreign policy, Of non-inter-
ference in the domestic concerns of other
nations We recognize in all nations the
rights which we enjoy ourselves, TO change
and reform their political institutions, ac-
cording to their own will and pleasure
Hence we do not look behind existing gov
ernments, capable OF maintaining their
own authority. We recognize all such
actual governments not only from the die.
tates Of true policy, bnt from sacred re.
gard for the independence Of nations.
While this is our settled policy, it does
not follow that we can ever be Indifferent
spectators of the progress Of liberal princi.
pies. The government and people Of the
United States hailed with enthusiasm and
delight the establishment Of the French Re.
public, as we now hail the efforts in progress
10 unite the States Of Germany in con.
federation, similar in many respects tc
our own federal Union. II the great and
enlightened German States occupying a:
they do, central and commanding posi-
ton in Europe, shall succeed in establish
ing such a conlederated government, secur
ing at the same time 10 the citizens Of eacl
State, local governments adapted to the pc
culiar condition Of each, with unrestricted
trade and intercourse with each other, i
will be an important era in the historl
Of human events. While it will consoid
ate and strengthen the power Of Germany, il
must essentially promote the cause o
peace, commerce, civilization, and con
stitutlonal liberty, throughout the world.
With all the Governments on this Con
tinent, our relations. it is believed, are nov
on a more friendly and satisfactory footing
than they have ever been at any former pc
Rod.
Since the exchange Of rali6cations o
the treaty of peace with Mexico, our inter
course with the Government OF that Repub
lie has been Of the most friendly character
The Envoy Extraordinary and Ministe
Plenipotentiary Of the United States /,
Mexico has been received and accredited
and diplomatic repres entaiye from Mex
CO of similar rank has been received an,
accredited by this Government. The ami
cable relations between the two countries
which had been suspended, have been hap
PLY restored, and are destined, trust, l.
be long preserved. The two Republics
both situated on this Continent, and witt
cotcrminous territories. have every moiiy,
Of sympathy and interest to bind them to
gelher in perpetual amity
This gratifying condition of our foreig,
relations renders it unnecessary for me /,
call your attention more especially TO them
1t has been my constant aim and desir
TO cultivate peace and commerce with al
nations. Tranquility at home, and peace
full relations abroad, constitute the true per
manent policy Of our country War, tn
scourge of nations, sometimes becomes in
evi,able, but is always to be avoided wheI
it can be done consistently with the right