The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-12-12
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TeiIou-citizens Of the Senate,

u ~ ton 70 the sovereign Ar6iter OF all
hr,no, events. should be commensurate Win
tho boundless blessings which we ENJOY.
Peace. plenty, and contentment reign
.hrouabout our borders, and our beloved coun-
Try presents sublime moral spectacle 10 inc
world. r.. Il
The troubled and unsettled condition oil
some of the principal European powers has
had necessary tendency to check and emear-
rass trade, and to depress prices throughout
all commercial nations but Notwithstanding
these causes. the United States, with their a.
bundaut products, have felt their effects less
severely than any other country, and all our
great interests are sill prosperous and sue
cesslul.
In reviewing the great events OF the past
wear, and contrasting the agltated ana us
turbed state of other countries with our own
tranquil and happy condition, we may consrat /,
ulate ourselves that we are the most lavorec
n.onle On the face of earth. While the peo-
nlc of other countries are struggling TO esIab-
fish free institutions, under which man may
poYern himself, We are in the actual ENJOY
mont of tbem-a rich inheritance from our
fathers. While enlightened nations OF Eu-
rome are convulsed and distracted by civil war
or intestine strife, we settle all our political
controversies by the peaceful exercise OF the
,iUhts of freemen at the ballOt-boX-l ne
treat republican maxim so deeply engraven
on the hearts of our people, that the will OF
the majority, constitutionally expressed, shall
nreyaii, is our safeguard against force and ylo-
hence. 1t is a subject of just pride. that our
flmc and character as nation continue rap
idly 10 advance in the estimation OF eiviilzeh
world. 70 our wise and free institutions 1t Is
10 be attributed, that while otker nations have
achieved. glory at the price of the sufienng'
distress. and impoverishment Of their people,
We have won our honorable position IN the
midst of an uninterrupted prosperity, and OF
an Increasing individual comfort and hapPi-
ness.
am happy to inform you that our relations
with all nations arc friendly and pacific-- Adj
vnntsqcous treaties of commerce have been
concluded within the last four years with New
Grenada, Peru, the two SciIes, Bclg
Hanover, Oldenburg and Mecklenburg-
Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the re-
stricti,e system of Great Britain, our prlnci-
nal foreign customer has been relaxed;
liberal commercial policy las been adopted by
other enlightened 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 coItin-
ne to occupy this proud position, II is only
necessary TO preserve peace, and faithfully ad-
here to the great and fundamental principle
of our foreign policy of non-interferenco IN the
domestic concerns Of ether nations. We re-
cognise in all nations the rights winch we en-
ioy ourselves to change and reform their po-
litiral institutions, according to their own will
and pleasure Hence We do not look behind
existing governments, capable OF maintaining
their own authority. We recognise all such
actual governments, not only from the dictates
of true policy, bnt from sacred regard Tor The
of nations.
While this is our settled policy, 1t does not
follow that we can ever be indifferent specta- |
tors of the progress of liberal principles The
government and people of the United States |
hailed with enthusiasm and delight the estab- |
lishment of the French republic, as We now
hail the efforts in progress TO unite the States
of Germany IN confederation, similar IN ma
nv respects to our own federal Union. If the |
great and enlightened German States, occu-
pvinn, as they do, a central and commanding
position in Europe, shall succeed in establish
ing such confederated government, securing
Mt the same time to the citizens Of each State,
local governments adapted 10 the peculiar con-
,I;tion of each. with unrestricted trade and in
tercourse with each other, it will be an impor-
tant era in the history of human events. Whilst
it will consolidate and strengthen the power
of Germany, it must essentially promote the
cause of pcace, commerce, civilization, and
constitutional liberty throughout the world
With NIL the governments on this continent
our relations. it is believed are now on more
friendly and satisfactory footing than the.
have ever been at any former period.
Since the exchange of notifications of the
treaty of peace with Mexico, our intercourse
with the government of that republic has been
of the most friendly character. Tie Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentisry
of the United States, TO Mexico, has been re-
ccived and accredited; and a diplomatic rep
rcscntative from Mexico, of similar rank, has
been received and accredited by this govern
ment. The amicable relations between the
two countries, which had been suspended, have
been happily restored. ard are destined,
trust, to be long preserved. The two repub-
lies, both situated on this continent, cotermi-
nous territories, have every motive OF sympa-
thy and of interest to bind Them together in
perpetual amity.
This gratifying condition of our foreign rela.
tions renders 1t unnecessary for me to call
your attention more specifically to them.
II has been my constant aim and desire &c
cultivate peace and commerce with all nations
Tranquility at home, and peaceful relation.
abroad, constitute the true permanent polio,
of our country. War, the scourge Of nations
sometimes becomes inevitable, but is always IL
be avoided when it can be done consistent,
with the rights and honor of the nation.
One of the most important results of the wa
into which we were recently forced with
neighboring nation, is the demonstration it ha
afforded of the military strength of our coun
try. Before the late war with Mexico, Euro
pcan and orher foreign Powers entertained i'm
perfect and erroneous views of our physica
strength as a nation, and of our ability to pros
ecute war, and especially war waged out O
our own country.
They saw that our stan'ling army on til
poacc establishment did not exceed ten thou
sand men.-Accustomed themselves to main
tain, in peace, large aiding armies for tn
protection of thrones against their own sub
jects. as well as against foreign enemies, the
had not conceived that it was possible for n:
ton without such an army, we'll discipline
g L. ELL.