Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-08
q, SIDRNT'S MESSAGE.
;tizens of the Senate


which we enjoy.
Peace, plenty, and contentment reign through
ouEour borders, and our beloved country presents
sublime moral spectacle to the world.
The troubled and unsettled condition OF some
of the principal European powers has had ne
cessary tendency to check and embarrass trade,
and TO depress prices throughout all commercial
nations; but notwithstanding these causes, the
United States, with their abundant products, have
felt their effects less severely than any other coun-
try, and all our great interests still prosperous
and successful.
In reviewing the great events Of the past year,
and contrasting the agitated and disturbed state
of other countries with our own tranquil ana
happy condition, may congratulate ourselves
that we are the most favored people on the face OF
the earth. While the people of other countries
are struggling to establish free institutions, uh-
der which man may govern hImseH; We arc az nv
actual enjoyment of them-a rIch inheritance lIolll
our fathers While enlightened nations OF Eu-
rome are convulsed and distracted by civil war or
intestive strife, settle all our political contro-
Versies by the peaceful exercise OF the rights OF
frecmen at the ballot-box The great republican
maxim so deeply engraven on the hearts of our
people, that the will of the majority, constitution
ally expressed, shall prevail, is and safe
guard against force and violence. 1t is a subject
of just pride, that our fame and character as a
nation continue rapidly to advance in the estIma-
ton of our civilized world. To our wise and tree
institutions it is to be attributed that while other
nations have achieved glory at the prlce OF the
suffering, distress, and improvements OF thelr
people, we have won our honorable position IN the
midst of an uninterrupted prosperity and OF an IN
Creasing individual comfort and happiness. l am
happy to inform you that our relations with all ma
tons the friendly and pacific. Advantageous tre-
ties of commerce have been concluded within the
last four years with New Grenada, Peru, the Two
Sicilies, Belgium, Hanover Oldenburg, and
Mecklenburg- Schwerin. Pursuing our example,
TIE restrictive system of Great Britain, our prln-
CT al foreign customer, has been relaxed more
al hoe hoo 1aHn
er enlightened nations, and trade has been
greatly enlarged and extended. Our country
stands higher in the respsct 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 iunda-
mental principle of our foreign policy, of nonin-
reference in the domestic concerns of other ma
TONS We recognise in all nations the rights
which we enjoy ourselves, to change and reform
their political institutions according to their own
will and pleasure. Hence we do not look behind
existing governments, capable of maintaing their
own authority. We recognise all such actual
government not only from the dictates oftrue pol
Icy, but from a sacred regard for the lndepen-
pence of nations.
While this Is our settled policy, it does not fol-
low that can ever be Indifferent spectators OF
the progress of liberal principles. The govern
ment and people of the United States hailed with
enthusiasm and delight the establishment OF the
French republic as now hail the efforts IN pro-
gress to unite the States of Germany IN con1ed
eration similar in many respects to our own ted
eral Union If the great and enlightened Ger,
man States occupying as they do, a central ana
commanding position in Europe, shall succeed IN
establishing such q confedcrated government, Sc
curing at the same time to the citizens OF each
State, local governments adapted to the pecunal
condition of each with unrestricted trade ana IN
tercourse with each other, it will be an important
era in the history of human events. Whilst 1t VII
consolidate and strengthen the power OF Germa
ny, it must essentially promote the cause OF peace
commerce, civilization, and constitutional liberty
throughout the world.
With all the governments on this continent GU
relations, it is believed, are now on more trend
ly and satisfactory footing than they nave eve
been at any former period.
Since the exchange of ratifcations of the treat,
of peace with Mexico, our intercourse with tn
government of that republic has been of the mos
friendly character. The Envoy EXtraordlnar!
and Minister PlenipOtentiary of the United State
TO Mexico has been received and accredited an
diplomatic representative from Mexico OF SIM
lar rank has been received and accredited by TIL
government. The amicabe re ations between tn
two countries which had been suspended hav
been happily restored, and are destined, trust,
be long preserved. The two republics, both str
ated on this continent, and with cOterminous tel
ritOries have every motive of sympathy and OF II
terest to bind them together in perpetual anlty.
This gratifying condition of our foreign relG
tiOns renders it unnecessary for me to call your
tention more specifically to them.
1t has been my constant aim and desire to cult
vate peace and commerce with all nations. Trar
guilty at home, and peaceful relations abroad cor
sttute the true permanent policy of our countr!
War, the scOurge of nations sometimes become II
evitable, but is always to be avoided when it ca
be done consistently with the rights and honor c
the nation.
One of the most important results of the war in
to which we were recently forced with a neigh
boring nation, is the demonstration 1t has atOrde
of the military strength of our country. Befor
the late war with Mexico, European and other IL
reign Powers entertained imperfect and erroneou
views of our physical strength nation, and
ability to prosecute war, and especially VIZ
waged out of our own country. They saw tn;
our standing army on the peace establishment dl
not exceed ten thousand men. Accustomed then
selves to maintain in peace large standing armie
for the protection of thrones against their own sui
Jects, well as against foreign enemies, they ha
not conceived that it possible for natio
without such an army, well disciplined and OF lon
service, to wage war successfully. They held /
low repute our militia and were far from regardin
them effective force, unless it might be tt
temporary defensive operations when INVADED o
our own SOIL The events of the late war wit
Mexico have not only undeceived them, but ha'
removed erroneous impressions which prevailed
some extent even among a portion of our ow
countrymen, That war has demonstrated thu
upon the breaking out of i!Ostilities not anticlp
ted, and for which previous preparation Ia
been made, volunteer army of citizen soidle
equal to veteran troops, and in numbers equal
any GlIl6IS6nCyJ Gun III Il SIlOIL pSIlOu DC DIOuS
into the field. Unlike what would have occurre
in any other country, were under no necessi
of resorting to draughts conscriptions. On Il
contrary, such was the number of volunteers WI
periodically rendered their services that the chi
difficulty was in making selections and determi
ing who should be disappointed and compelled
remain at home. Our citiZen-soldiers are until
those drawn from the population of any 9th
country. They composed indiscrmnately
all professions and pursuits of farmers, lawyer
physicians, merchants, manufacturers, meChani
and aborers; and this, not only among the Officer
but the private soldiers in the ranks. Our citize
soldiers are unlike those of any other country
other respects. They are armed, and have bee
accustomed from their youth up to handle and u
firearms; and large proportion of them, espec
ally in the western and more newly-settled State
are expert marksmen. They are men who have
reputation to maintain at home by their good co
duct in the'fed. They intelligent, and the
IS an individuality of character which is found
the ranks OF no other army. In battle, each p
Vate man, as well as every officer, fights not on
for his country but for glory and distinction
mong his fellow-citiZens when he shall return
civil life.
The war with Mexico has demonstrated not on
the ability of the government to organize mum
rous army upon sudden call. but also to provi
il with all the munitions and necessary suppl
with despatch, convenience, and ease, and 10 {
rect its operations with efficiency The streng
of our institutions has not only been display
in the vaor and skill of our troops engaged in