The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-01

4
| aid such power while IN possession of lod
| lence," as we must If uniting with Texas; Ne
| ne secession be unjust, the old masters NAV Cd
PAM ana resort to force "ss policy anger n,u
prompt" but not il secession be lust-(Marur
Law OF Nations, p. 80, b. 3, CHI. 2, sec 10. }
| But though exposed IN such case TO some belger,
ent hazards they are usually encountered when dus
prompts and much more readily if the hazards =
ere are remote, doubtful founded, as here, in 4
lJu'lce the part of the ancient claimants and
% IN barbarous and unjustiiabe manner. Il
. Icy &c not be misunderstood In one asps/fx
W e'.' as all The territory of Texas is cededa
1 eso'elnNent united with ours we may be bed
e'PoSiOe for all that Texas is now liato to
am Tree TO Omit ttat though actual boxlitie.
10 iot no" eAH I'D of course will not now be as.
sIineu oy 10 u u' lig with Texas Yet Mexio can
~ 90 oaimng her allegiance loreyer
nr,es aod ,brea,en lle her independence FOR
tually recommending hos ilriee sba IN ~ 7 III, -,
look little 10 public op.ion and bar ,re MI
under all the facts OF the .ase and III nrpbabiy
come to the conclusion, that = 49, III 90
all the circumstances just recatt,lt ~ an barlIy
be deemed just war, or recelve.ny Z ,,ntonancs
from the intelligence and civilization rrb 80 81
the world 1t is certainly preferable N 10 come IN
collision with any nation under any kbsien.ioo.
however ill-founded, if they can be oyerSnrt
sonabe remonstrance or friendly Solicnatin lrr r.
all these have been exhausted in vain byls and The
leading powers OF Europe, TO persuade Mexico 70
recognise the independence of Texas III safety of
international intercourse and the claims % umnnrty
VIII compel the rest of the world n no rlorr,
then duties TO Others, and sustain their owsnationa
rights
Under all the circumstances then. we A. only
possess rights to secure our frontiers more eNtually
IN oolh peace and war, and protect Institutions
and commerce from all disturbances but il A our
duty to do II when voluntary and amicable onortu
mites exist and we should beside be Justly exposed
TO severe censure, as the leading power on the Ame-
rican continent If we longer neglect 10 extendnore
decisive influence IN favor of a weaker and WING
ed people, our neghbors and kin; and to ner-
pose efectually TO put end TO inhuman aggts.
SONS upon them, and TO restore peace commerer
and civilized conduct on the theatre of the ma
world
The rules of national law are clear on this point
and IN the first place 10 the intetposiiion for stop
ping contest, which has been conducted with inh.
mainly.
iearlessly assert, that if the condition of things
which has existed since 1896 to be dignifed by the
name OF pu5lic war, between Mexico and Texas il
has been conducted in such predatory and uncyiI.
Ized manner that it, by a friendly union with
Texas, we became exposed TO it, and IT is renew
ed, we shall perform a great public, Christian and
international duty by thus taking it ourselves and
ending II.
Mixed up with this, is often the consideration, that
the contest has been carried so long as to disturb
too much the peace commerce, and interests of the
rest Of the world and IN this way tends not only 10
the gradual destruction OF one both of the belli
gereuts but sacrifices the mutual rights of others TO
free trade and tranquility and makes them victims
TO foolish obsnacy on the part of the combatPnts.
This is unreasonable, and may, by comPncts be
tween other nations, or the magnani"ous impulses Of
one, be ended If practicable.
Let us first listen what Chancellor Kent saws
,g,ins, srcL misbcha yior in war; In l. Kent,s Cm
co. ne denounces, as contrary to national law the
making slaves OF prisoners. "-(Cues Grotius for
tins and Montesqueu, as saying " that the laws Of
war gave ITO other power over a captive than TO keen
him safely" So page 9l-plunder Of private pro.
perty land is forbidden in war; and especially
you not 10 disturb The cttpators Of the soil"
Hear Mr. Webster, also, on that point On Doc
10, confdential) in his letter to Thomson part Of
which have before cited for another purpose
"You will take occasion to converse with the
Mexican Secretary, in friendly manner, and repre-
sent to him him how greatly IT would contribute 10
the advantage as well the honor of Mexico to alb
stain altogether from predatory incursons and other
similar modes of warfare Mexico has an undoubt-
ed right to resubJugatc Texas, if she oun so far a.
other States concerned, by the common and Ia,,
full means Of war. But other States are Interested
and especially the United States near neiqhboI Z,
both parties, interested-not only i'm the restor,
ton OF peace between them, but also in the manner
IN which The war shall be conducted, if it shall con
unue. bese suggestions may suffice for W hat you
are requested TO say, amcably and kindly. TO the
Mexican secretary, at present but | NAV add for
your information, that il is in the condemnation OF
this government to demonstrate in more oral ~ an
ner with Mexico, at period not far distant unles,
she shall consent 10 make peace with Texas or shall
show the disposition and ability to prosecute the war
with respectable forces"
Let me explain how the rtao,isi,a,o, in n mar, c
NAL manner against the Turkish mode OF waginp war
in Greece upon women and children farmer and
vncyaIos in 1927, (i27) conducted by the
great European powers. II was hy LAYING the Epp-
lish French and Russian fleets alongside of the sem
barbarians, from whose decks the rayaring from
had been dsgorged, and blowing up and otherwl.r
destroying sail of the line 3 frgates ~ corvette
brgs fire ships, and numerous transports; bginr
Z he whole Ottoman fleet of 100 vessels and a
loss of human life unprecedented in maritime o5ne.t,
e Blount, 42S)
Hear Mr. W. again on the right for US to inter
lere
"lndeed, although the right or the safety Of none
of their own citizens concerned, Yet IT, in war
waged between two neighborng states, the killing
enslaying, or cruelty treating Of should be in
dulgod, the United States would feel it to be their
duty, as well as their right to demonstrate and to IN
teJre against such departure from the princule of
humanity and civilization. Those principles srs
common principles, essential alike to The welfare ut
all nations; and In the preservation Of which al n1-
IONS have, therefore, rights and interests But their
duty to interfere becomes imperative in cases affect
lng their own citizens.
"l is, therefore that the government Of the United
States protests against The hardshps and crueltic 10
which the Santa fe prisoners have been subjected.
IL protests against this treatment in the name Il hu.
manly, and The law Of nations in the game 1i 90
Christian States IN the name Of civilization, and
The spirit Of the age IN the Of all republics M
the name of liberty herself emf, ebled ana di.h1uore1
by oil cruelty and all excess in the uame and fr the
honor Of all this whole hemisphere protests eupha-
ucally and earnestly against practices bclont np only
10 batbarous people in barbarous times.
Every nation, on being received, at her own rs.
quest into the circle Of civilized governments uu.t
understand that she not only atans rights of sove-
regnty and the dignity Of national character, bat
that she binds herself also u the strict and faithful
Observance Of all those principles, laws and usages,
which have obtained currency among civilized states,