Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-13

Ysuss- Caisess Of he Senate,
ssd House Of Representasice

KkQoW.CMt1f0S ~ NV Sen~eSS
ssd House Of Represe"ta'ices:
Under the benignant Providence Of Al
mighty God. the Representatives OF the
States and Of the People, are again brought
,ouetber to deliberate tor the public good
The gratitude Of the Nation to the Sove-
reign Arbiter Of all Ilumsn Events. should
no Commensurate with the boundess bles-
sings which we ENJOY.
Peace. Plenty and Contentment reign
THROUGHOUT our borders. and our beloved
country presents a sublime moral specta-
Gle 10 the world.
The troubled and unsettled condition Of
som. Of the principal European Powers,
has had necessary tendency to check
and enbarrass trade, and to depress prices,
throughout all commercial nations; but
Notwithstanding these causes, the United
States. witt, their abundant products, have
felt their effect less severely than any
other country, and all our great interests
are still prosperous and successful.
In reviewing the great events of the
past year. contrasting the agitated 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 of the
earth. While the people of other coun.
tries are struggling for free institutions. I'M
der which man may govern himself, we
arc in the actual enjoyment OF them. a
rich inheritance from our fathers. While
enlightened nations of Europe are con-
vulsed, and distracted by civil war, or in
tcstine strife. we settle all our political
controversies by the peaceful exercise Of
tae rights Of fccmen ut the ballot-boX.
The great Republican maxim SO deeply
engraved on the hearts OF our people. that
the will Of the ma Ority, constitutionally
expressed. shall prevail. is our sure safe
guard against force and violence. 1t is a
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 to
be attributed. that while other nations have
achieved glory ut the price of the suffer
ing, distress, and impoverishment of their
people, we have won our honorable posi-
ton in the midst of an uninterrupted pros
perity, and Of an increasing individual
comfort aud happiness. | am happy to
inform you that our relations with all ma
iions are friendly and pacific. Advanta-
geous treaties of Commerce have been
concluded within the last four years with
New Grenada, Peru. the two Siciics.
Belgium. Hanover, Oldcnburg. Mcchlen-
burgh. Sthwcrin. Pursuing our example.
the restrictive system of Great Britain, our
principal foreign customer, has been re-
laxed; a more liberal commercial policy
has been adopted by other enlightened ma
tons. aud our trade has been greatly en-
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higher in the respect Of the world than at
any former period. To continue to &C.
cupy this proud position, it is only ne
ceSsary to preserve peace and faithfully
adhere to the great and fundamental prin-
'ciple of our Foreign policy, non-nter-
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 institu-
tons according TO their own will and plea
sure. Nor do we look behind existing
governments, capable Of maintaining their
own authority. We recognize all such
actual governments, not only from the
dictates of true policy, but from a sacred
regard 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 prin-
ciplcs. The government and people of
the United States, hailed with enthusiasm
and delight the establishment dfthc French
Republic, as we now hail the efforts in
progress to unite the States of Germany
in Confederation. similar in many res
poets to our own Federal Union. Ii the
great and enlightened German States, oc-
cupying as they do, a central and COM
2
in establishing such Il Confederate Gov
ernmcnt. securing at the same time to the
citizens of each State, local governments
adapted to the peculiar condition of each.
Unrestricted trade and Intercourse with
each other. it will be an important era in
human events Whilst it will consolidate
and strengthen the power Of Germany. it
must essentially promote the cause of
Peace. Commerce, Civilization. and Con-
sttuiional Liberty, throughout the world.
With all the Governments on this con-
iinent, our relations. il is believed, are
now on a more friendly and satisfactory
footing. than they have ever been at any
former period.
Since the exchange of rattle atoms Of
the Treaty of Peace with MEXICO. our in
tcrcoursc with the Government of tina,
Republic has been of the most friendly
character. The Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary Of the United
States TO Mexico, has been received and
accredited. and diplomatic representa-
lion from Mexico of similar rank has been
received and accredited bythis government
The amicable relations between the two
countries. which had been suspended,
have been happily restored. and are des-
tined. | trust. TO be long preserved. The
Two Republics, both situated on this con-
tinen,. and with contiguous territories, have
every motive OF sympathy and of interest,
to bind them together in perpetual amitv.
This gratifying condition of our Foreign
relations, renders it unnecessary for me
TO call your attention more especially to
them.
II has been my constant aim and desire
10 cultivate peace and commerce with all
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