The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-02
ICOETINUED.l

But enough as to the principles, applicable to
such case, which justify us in rlsking even war il
necessary TO end these outrages. But regret that
one senator Mr.. Choatel has denied the existence
of such atrocities on the part Of Mexico, and has
treated her as a most republican and 'unoffending
power"
Indeed, sir, Mexico has been eulogized ma
ton that has carried on constant and humane war
with Texas; and, at the same time with much skill
and success. What, sir, The success of eight mil
lions of people against third of a million and
after seven years, have 10. regained single OF
land but lost armies and chiefs by capture, and i'm
plored the cemency and release of them from the
handful of lion hearts and eagle eyes and brave arms
which, nerved by freedom have stood up valianty
against oppression till the present moment!
But let US see how the facts accord with that sena-
tors views. The evidence to the moral and
civilized conduct Of Mexican warfare, as described
recognised station here entcs him full credence
is this
Mexico has been dcpredatpg upon the property
Of our exposed and defcnceless frontier numbering
the inhabitants in cold blood, or forcing them away
into loathsone and too often fatal captivity, Incl.
ting the numerous tribes of hostile Indians who re-
side along Northern frontier, TO plumber our ex
posed settlements stimulating them the most cruel
and barbarous massacres and inhuman butcheries
even of our deenceless women and children, and TO
commit every excess Of savage warfare Con. Doc.
PIP. ~, Is, Van Zandt to Upshur.')
letter to Mr.. Thompson, he speaks of 81 January
lS43) predatory ncursions in which the proclama-
ton and promises of the Mexican commander are
fagranfiy violated, non-combaants seized and detan-
ed prisoners of war; and private property used and
destroyed. Yet the sena from Massac huseits (Mr
Choate) doubts all this, has no sympathy nor com
plant Tor this, but euogize Mexico as humane "un-
offending and successful--yes, humane. Though
when Mr.. Thompson demonstrated with Mexico for
predatory orays, &C. the minister virtually confessed
h.,ta bv
taken not entitled 10 any Of the privileges of pri
soners of but that they rebels, and would
be so treated, &c-(O p. Doc, Confidential, March
IA, lS43)
some other prisoners
"The privalons and indigniiies TO which they were
subjected during their march of two thousand miles
to the city of Mexico, at the pclement season
of the year, were horrible and If they were not well
authenticated, it would have been incredible that
they should have been inflicted 10 this age and in
country calling Itself Christian and civilized During
many days they had no food, and others only two
ears of corn were distributed TO each man To sus-
tain life, therefore, they compelled to sell on
their way, the few remnants of cloh hing which their
capors had left them; but, by seeking to appesse
their hunger, they increased the misery which they
| already endured from exposure to the cid Most
dreadful Of ALL however, several Of them disabled by
sickness and suffering from keeping up with the 9th
er-, deliberately shot, without any proyocation
Those who survived to their journeys end were
many Of them effected with lof thsoi disease and
those whose health was not broken down have been
treated, not as the public law requires but in mar
harsh and vindctive, and with a degree of sew,
riiy equal at least to that Usually inflicted by the mu-
ncipd codes o. the most civilized and Christian
Stats upon the basesf fons Indeed, they aplear To
have been ranked with these, being thrust into the
same dungeon with Mexican maleiacto,s, chained to
them IN pairs, and when allowed to the light and
breathe The ar OF heaven, required as compensa-
ton therefor TO labor beneath the lash Of taskna
ter upon roads and public works Of that country
Though the senator from Massachusetts NAV dis.
credit all the enormties so feeingly described by
his friend the late Secretary Of Stae and NAV think
the bostlites 10 be now humane and successful and
Texas, If not projected or coded 10 us, likely ere
long, TO be reconquered by Mexico, can he on re-
Election, think of that event with much apparent
and unmingcd satisfaction What, sir Our bre.
bren and children, decoyed there by new and liberal
colonization laws of Mexico, and then stripped OF
their privileges their constitution violated and their
rights of conscience invaded and their Saxon blood
Inundated, and enslsved to Moors Indians. and
mongrelsi When prisoners Of war and non com
bataots, they to be plundered, shot, impison
In the debate it was averred that the rights Of
conscience and religion had never been invaded by
Mexico and were similar under both governments
and protected, in one ~ well az the other. With
view TO correct this and 10 show that Mexico f I'M
ofe nd,pr is not exactly the buiwsrk Of our reIiq on
Cat least Of the Protestant religion Of the Ess') add
extract from the constitution of each on this sub
jet
"No preference shall be given by law TO any rcli-
gious denomination, mode o. worship, over ano-
ther but every person shall be permitted to worship
God according the dictate, of his own conscience
(Teran constitution, doc AIS, p. I6, H. OF Rep June
oath, 1867
THE religion Of the Mexican nation is, and will
be perpetuAy, the Roman Catholic Apostolic. The
nation will protect by wise and just laws and pro-
hib't the exercise of any other ~hasever."-( Mcri-
can constitution, Kennsdy'- History, .. 422)