This gratifying condition of our foreign relations renders it unnecessary for me to call your attention more specifically to them.

It has been my constant aim and desire to cultivate peace and commerce with all nations.  Tranquillity at home and peaceful relations abroad constitute the true permanent policy of our country.  War, the scourge of nations, sometimes becomes inevitable, but is always to be avoided when it can be done consistently with the rights and honor of a nation.

One of the most important results of the war into which we were recently forced with a neighboring 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 as a nation and of our ability to prosecute war, and especially a war waged out of our own country.  They saw that our standing Army on the peace establishment did not exceed 10,000 men.  Accustomed themselves to maintain in peace large standing armies for the protection of thrones against their own subjects, as well as against foreign enemies, they had not conceived that it was possible for a nation without such an army, well disciplined and of long service, to wage war successfully.  They held in low repute our militia, and were far from regarding them as an effective force, unless it might be for temporary defensive operations when invaded on our own soil.  The events of the late war with Mexico have not only undeceived them, but have removed erroneous impressions which prevailed to some extent even among a portion of our own countrymen.  That war has demonstrated that upon the breaking out of hostilities not anticipated, and for which no previous preparation had been made, a volunteer army of citizen soldiers equal to veteran troops, and in numbers equal to any emergency, can in a short period be brought into the field.  Unlike what would have occurred in any other country, we were under no necessity of resorting to drafts or conscriptions.  On the contrary, such was the number of volunteers who patriotically tendered their services that the chief difficulty was in making selections and determining who should be disappointed and compelled to remain at home.  Our citizen soldiers are unlike those drawn from the population of any other country.  They are composed indiscriminately of all professions and pursuits—­of farmers, lawyers, physicians, merchants, manufacturers, mechanics, and laborers—­and this not only among the officers, but the private soldiers in the ranks.  Our citizen soldiers are unlike those of any other country in other respects.  They are armed, and have been accustomed from their youth up to handle and use firearms, and a large proportion of them, especially in the Western and more newly settled States, are expert marksmen.  They are men who have a reputation to maintain at home by their good conduct in the field.  They are intelligent, and there is an individuality of character which is found in the ranks of no other army.  In battle each private man, as well as every officer, fights not only for his country, but for glory and distinction among his fellow-citizens when he shall return to civil life.