Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-05-07

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But from tho character Of tho recent foreign |
po!icy OF the Americans, and the extraordinary |
declarations Of Mr.. Polk, it is evident that no I
argument Will produce any effect; and we can
Scarcely anticipate that government SO consil- |
tuted and directed. will even take dispassionate
Or correct survey of the frightfal and inevitable
consequences Of its extravngant references OF dis
plomatic quessions to popular clamor.
According TO all ordinary political calculations,
and assuming that Mr.. Folks inaugural address
was the manifesto Of government and mol mere
defamation for the hustngs the President already
finds himself and tho Union placed in presence
Of two wars, for the avowed purpose Of territorial
apQrandzemcnt, and in direct violation OF the
whole policy Of America from Gen. Washington
70 Mr.. Webster.
The ono with Mexico IS 50 imminent that we
aro awaiting with anxiety tho next arrivals from
that country; the other with Great Britain, is
moro remote, but also moro inevitable. if the
menaces Of the Americans arc anything but Va
porinu and buster. Cndcr these circumstances,
q statesman of ordinary caution would direct the
public attention, not only to tho passions and
object which arc likely to cause these wanton
and wicked contests, but to the consequences
which must attend them.
The United Statos Government is very apt to
provoke qunrrels. bu, is very i-PrePared to carry
them on. Tho samo democratic folly which
makes them arrogant in the Cabinet, makes them
habituaily fccblo III all that constitutes nation -
strength in tho field In a military point OF view,
tho consequences Of declaration Of war by the
Government Of Mexico against the United States
would probably be contemplate and indecisve;
for neither Of the bcllgcrents possess IN army at
oil proportioned to the vast extent OF the oPor'
atoms necessary to accomplish any practical
result
But If tho actual contest on land would proba-
bly degenerate into something little better
than tho "a rtisan warfare of the states OF South
America it is not less certain that the state OF
H. rreu nd ~
of boliigercnt rights, would DO attended with
most serious consequences, not only to them
selves, but to noutrais all over the world. Inc
svstem Of lettors of marquee, which the Americans
themselves made 10 small use Of in their last wal
with Great Britain. places tho whole commerce
considerable naval force, ut tho mercy Of tho
privatoers and Adventures of oil nations.
And in a entirely provoked by American
rapacity and violence, no usages which have
over been justified by tho laws Of nations, and
by the example of tho United States, could DO
regarded as understandable. The Mexican tor
tho port Of Acapulco on tho Pacific would facl-
l!ato tho most extensive operations against the
whole Asotc trade Of the United States and
their South Sea whale fisheries.
Such war would be ingIorious, and ropugnant
to tho interests Of civilization; but It would DO
had originated, and if Mexico has beon p'undorcd
Of province by her powerful neighbor, the
p5astices Of war would amply justify her III
Letters Of marque reflect no honor. and arc of no
great advantage to a power which may be duly
represented on the seas by its own cruisers; but
they tend to removo tho maritime disparity which
exists between two States like Mexico and the
Union, and thoy not an improper weapon II,
tho hands Of tho weak for retaliation no the az.
grossions Of the strong.
Ii is extraordinary that tho United States
should havo advanced tho brink of wax
to have carried through tho Senate a measure
for nnnexing Texas, and failed. by only two
votes, in n measure for seizing Oregon. without
having any perceptiblo care to provide for tho
means Of consummating such unparalleled acts
Of defending themselves from the consequences
of them.
Arc they not aware that in proportion as they
the illegal exercise Of sovereign e pgas 1n
populous coasts Of the Atlantic to tho broadsides
and biockades Of British fleets! Have they for
gotten, in their anxiety to extend their domestic
institutions" to tho whole continent of America
that in the event Of war they will have to en-
counter tho most novel Of all dangcrs-that iris
ing from the presence Of tho standard OF freedom
among population Of salves!
Or is their blindness infntuation inproportior
to the injustice and criminality Of their designs
so that, in their oagerness to seize adjacent terri
tories, they overlook the resources, Of their op
ponents and their own weakness! The conse
auenccs Of such will provo incalcula bly,
disastrous. They would mako brave men hesitate
oven in just cause; but the bo!dness OF demo
cracies views alike the justice ofthe cause and The
ter riblc evils Of the probable result.
w have no intention Of aggravating tho very
serious difficulties with which the indiscreet Ian
guagc Of Mr.PoIk has already surrounded the Ore
gon question, and which render speedy solution
Of it Indispensable to tho maintenance Of pacific
relations between the two nations. The language
Of this country in such emergency. and in pre-
u h. r.
or too decided. The language has been used
and with equal propriesy and patriotism. by the
leaders Of each of our great parties. The right.
Of Grcat Britain clear and unquestionable