Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-12-19
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsilo.O Citizens " The Senate and
House of Prn,.oaonfoy;,,

Fsllcw Citizens ~ The Senate and
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 sovereign
Atbiter OF oil human events, should be com.
mcnsurate with tho boundless blessings we
enjoy. Peace, plenty and contcn.men,
Tsign throughout our boardcrs. and our be-
loved country presents sublime moral
spectacle to the world. The troubled and
unsettled condition Of some Of the principal
European powers, has had a necessary ten
dency TO check and embarrass trade and de-
press prices throughout oil commercial ma
ticns; but, notwithstanding these causes,
the United States, with their abundant pro
ducts, have felt their effects less severely
than any other country, and all our great
interests are. sill prosperous and successful.
In reviewing the great events of the past
year, aud contrasting the agitated and dis
turbed state Of other countries with our own
happs and tranquil condition, we may con
graduate ourselves that we are the most fa-
vored people on the face of the Garth
While the people of other countries are
struggling to establish FREQ institutions un-
der which man may govern himself, we are
IN the actual enjoyment Of them-a rich in
heritance from our fathers-and while en-.
lightcncd nations OF Earope are convulsed
and distracted by civil wars, or intestine
strife. we settle all our political controver-
sizes BY the peaceful exercise of the rights
OF freemen at the bnllot-box. The great
republican maxim. so deeply engraved on
the hearts ofthe people, that the will Of the
majority, constitutionaljY expressed, shall
prevail, is our sure safeguard ugains; force
and violence. .,s. 8
y is subject just pride, that on: fame
and character as nation continue rapidly
to advance in the estimation ofthe civilized
world, To our wise and free institutions,
tits to be attributed, that, while other ma
tions have achieved glory at the price Of
the suffering, distress, and impoverishment
ofthe people, we have gained our hcnora-
bic poeition in tho midst of an uninterrupted
prosperity, and OF an increasing individual
comfort and happiness.
l am happy to inform you, that our rela.
tions with all nations are friendly and pa
cific. Advantageous treaties Of commerce
have been made within the last four years
with Now Grenada, Peru, the two Societies,
Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Neck
ienburg. Pursuing our example, the res
trictiye system OF Great Britian, our princi.
pal fOreign customer. has been relaxed, and
U more liberal commercial policy has been
adopted by other nations, and our trade has
been greatly enlarged and extended. Our
country stands higher in the respect of the
world than at any former period. To con-
tinue to occupy this proud position, it is on.
~ necessary to preserve peace and faithful.
~ adhere to the great fundamental princi-
pie OF our foreign policy-no interference
in the domestic concerns Of foreign nations.
we recognize in all nations the right which
We ENJOY ourselves, to change and con-
form their political institutions according
to their own will and pleasure. Nor do we
look beyond existing governments capable
OF mantaing their own authority. We re-
cognize all such actual governments, not
only from the dictates Of true policy, but
from sacred regard for the independence
Of nations. sf"'-~
While this is our settled policy, it does
not follow that we can ever be indfferen,
spectators OF the progress of liberal princi-
pes. Inc Government and people of the
United States witnessed, with enthusiasm
md delight, the establishment of the French
Republic, as we now hail the Efforts in pro.
sress to unite the States of Germany in
similar, in many respects, to
our own federal Union. If the great and
German States, occupying as
they DO, the central and comma nding posi-
lion in Europe. shall succeed in establish
ing euch contederated government securing
u the same time to the citizens ofeach State |
local Governments, adapted to the peculiar
condition OF each-unrestricted trade and |
intercourse with each other-is 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 constitutional liberty throughout the
world. tt,a % '".G -
With oil the Governments on this CONT
nent, our relations, il is believed, are now
On more friendly and satisfactory footing
than they ever have been at any former Pc
Rod. 1-r-z v..r ai II '...F
Since the exchange Of ratfcations of the
treaty ofpeace with Mexico, our intercourse
with the Governments of the Mexican Re.
pubic has beea of the most friendly ciiar-
acter. The Envoy Extraordinary and Min.
lister Plenipote ntiary of the United States to
Mexico, has been received and accrcdited;
and diplomatic representative from Mexi.
co, OF similar rank, has been, received and
accredited BY this Government. The ami.
cable relations between the two countries,
which had been suspended, are restored
and are destined, l trust, to be long preserv-
ed. The two Republics, both situated on
this continent, and with contiguous terrific
ries, have every motive for sympathy Of
feeling and Of interests, to bind them to-
gethcr in perpetuty and amity.
This gratifying condition Of our foreign
relations, renders it unnecessary for me to
call your attention more particularly to
them. .t'
has been my constant aim and desire
70 cultivate peace and amity with all Ea-
tions. Tranquility at home, and peaceful
relations abroad, constitute the true, perma-
nsnt policy Of our country. War,-ths
scourge Of nations, sometimes becomes in
eyitable, but is always to be avoided when
It can be done consistently with the rights
OF and honor Of the nation. One of the
s,,1s~