Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Feilo,c- citizens Of The Senate
md of fbe IJo,..c of R>,....,,.,.

and The House Of Representatives:
Under the beniynant Providence Of Almighty
God the Representatives Of the States and Of the
People arc again brought together to deliberate for
the public good. The gratitude Of the Nation to
the So. veregn ATbiter OF all human events should
DO commensurate with the boundess blessings
which we enjoy.
Peace, plenty, and contentmsnt reign throughout
our borders, and beloved country presents sub
lime moral spectacle to the world
The troubled and unsettled condition of some Of
the Principal European Powers has had a necessa-
ry tendency To check and enbarrass trade, and to
depress prices Throughout, all commercial nations
but, notwithstanding these causes, the u States,
with their abundant products have felt their effects
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,
and contrasting the agitated and disturbed state Of
other countries with our own happy and tranquil
condition, we may congratulate ourselves that we
are the most favored people the face of the earth
while the people of other countries are struggling
to establish free institutions, under which mau may
govern himself, we are in the actual enjoyment of
them-a rich Inheritance from our fathers. While
enlightened nations of Europe are convulsed and
distracted by civil war or intestine strife, we
settle all our political controversies by the peaceful
exercise Of the rights of freemen at the ballot box.
The great Republican maxim SO deeply engraven
on the hearts OF our people, that the will of the
jorty, constitutionay expressed, shall prevail, is
our sure safeguard against force and violence. tits
subject of just pride that our fame and character
nation continue rapidly to advance in the esti-
maton of the civilized world. To our wise and
free institutions il is to be attributed, that while
other aaons have achieved glory at the price of the
suffering, distress, and mpoverishment of their peo
pie, we have won our honorable position in the
midst OF an uninterrupted prosperity, and of an in
creasing individual comfort and happiness. | am
inf, al,
tons are friendly and pacific. Advantageous trea-
ties OF commerce have been concluded within the
last four years with New Grenada Peru, the Two
Slcllies, Belgium, Hanover, Oldenburg, and Neck
enburg- Schwerin. Pursuing our example, the re-
strctive system of Great Britain, our principal TO
reign customer, has been relaxed more liberal
commercial policy has been adopted by other en-
ightened nations, and trade has been greatly
enlarged and extended. Our country stands high
er In the respect OF the world than at any former
PERIOD 10 continue TO occupy this proud position,
1t Is only necessary to preserve peace, and faithful
y adhere TO the great and fundamental principle of
our foreign policy of non interference in the do
nestle concerns OF other nations. We recognise in
all nations the rights which enjoy ourselves, to
change and reform their political institutions ac-
cordlng 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 die
taes of true policy, but from sacred regard for the
independence of nations.
While this is our settled policy, it does not fol-
low that we can ever be Indifferent spectators of the
progress of liberal principles. The Government
and people of the United States hailed with enthu-
siasm and delight the establishment Of the French
republic, hail the efforts in progress to
unite the States Of Germany in a confederation 81
milar in many respects TO our Federal Union If
the great and enlightened German States, occupy
ing, as they do, central and commanding position
in Europe shall succeed in establishing such con-
federated government, securing the same time 10
the citizens of each State local governments adapt
ed TO the peculiar condition Of each, with unrestrict
ed trade and intercourse with each other, il will be
| an important era in the history of human events
Whilst it will consolidate and strengthen the pow
er of Germany, it must essentially promote the
cause of peace, commerce, civilization, and consti-
tutional liberty throughout the world.
With all the Governments on this continent our
relations, 1t is believed, now more friendly
and satisfactory footing than they have ever been
at any former period
Since the exchange of notifications Of the treaty.
OF peace with Mexico, our intercourse with the Go
vernment of that 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 d.
rlomatc representative from Mexico of similar rank
has been received and accredited by this Govern.
ment. The amcabe relations between the two
countries which had been suspended have been hap
PLY restored, and are destined trust, to be long
preserved. The two republics, both situated on
this continent, and with coterminous territories,
have every motive of sympathy and of interest to
bind them together in perpetual amity.
This gratifying condition of our foreign relations
renders 1t unnecessary for to call your attention
more specifically to them.
IL has been my constant aim and desire to cult
vate peace and commerce with all nations. Tran
guilty at home and peaceful relations abroad con
stltute the true permanent policy of our country
War, the scourge of nations, sometimes becomes in
evia5le but is always to be avoided when it can be
done consistently with the rights and honor of the
ma ton.
One of The most important results OF the war in
to which we were recently forced with neighbor-
ing nation, is the demonstration it has afforded of
the military strength of our country. Before the
late war with Mexico, European and other foreign
Powers entertained imperfect and erroneous views
OF our physical strength nation, and of our ab-
ity to prosecute war, and especially war waged
out OF our own country. They saw that our stand
ing army OH the peace establishment did not exceed
ten thousand men. Accustomed themselves to
maintain IN peace large standing armies for the pro-
lection of thrones against their subjects well
sagalnstfoeign enemies they had otconceived that
| II was possbl1 for ,tlon without such an army
well disciplined and of long service to wage war sue
cessfuliy. They held in low repute militia,
and were far from regarding them as an effective
force, unless it might be for temporary defensive
perations when invaded on onr own soil. The e.
vents of the late war with Mexico have not only
undeceved them, but have removed erroneous i'm
pressions which prevailed TO some extent even among
a portion Of our own countrymen. That war
has demonstrated that upon the breaking out Of
hostilies not anticipated, and for which no pre-
yious preparation had been made, volunteer army
Of citizen soldiers equal 10 veteran troops, and in
! nj al In