Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-03-14

lubtIy HGCG5sdTy lndt lnlS duBlucHldllOH
Of the navy should take place, would the
author Of the bill now before the Senate,
with the view to afford adequate protection
TO our commerce, send his war steamers toI
the Mediterranean, or to the Pacific, or any
distant seal | ask him if he is not aware
that such vessels can be ofno utility, ex
cept in the protection Of the coastlngI
trade? The aid of steam is an impor
tant auxiliary Of our national defencesI
when properly applied. Should we tie
50 unfortunate as to be involved in a war
which God in his infinite mercy prevent
this description Of vessels would be ad
mirabIy adapted for the de fence OF the
coast and harbors But | suppose no
man acquainted with maratime affairs
will say that such vessels are intended to
traverse the ocean, there to meet an enc
my, and fight the battles OF the country
Such class of vessels of war is no i'm
provement on our former system OF naval
warfare, any further than the defence of
the coast is concerned. The old system
has existed from time immemorial, and
you must preserve it, for the obvious rea
son, that fuel and subsistence, sufficient
for more than month, cannot be carried
in a steamer.
And now, sir, if my strength will per-
nit me, | think | shall be able to show
conclusively that in the present relations
of this country with the world, there is
no probability of WAR. And II DO so
think nv honorable friend from Maine
will at once abandon his project; that he
will, to use a familiar expression, ''acknU
ledge the corn" and permit this bill to
lie upon the table.
| proceed then to consider this subject
in the second view have proposed taking
Of it, and that as a WAR measure. 1t is
not my purpose to take up the Oregon
Question, and discuss the various points
at issue between the two powers. | will
defer that for a more suspicious period
But suppose 1t will be proper for me to
advert 10 the causes which have been re
presented as likely to produce war. AS
| far as my observation extends, there are
only two cases of difficulty existing II
our foreign relations likely TO lead to ar
open rupture. refer TO our unsettled
l difficulties with Mexico and Great Britain
H | shall now briefly examine these cases. Is
as TO Mexico. The difference between Mex
leo and this country grows out of the an
neXation of Texas and it is SAID that ra
cent events indicate very clearly tina
Hexico is determined TO assume hos
tile attitude towards this nation. For my
part, must confess, that, alter a very
! careful consideration of the subject have
not been able to discern the sightes
cause Of apprehension. ! do not regard
the recent revolution in Mexico as at al
indicating an intention on the part OF thai
country to declare war against the United
States 1t is one OF those ebuIlt0nS Of
popular feeling which happen every three
or six months. Perhaps the next mai
will tell as of the dethronement OF the
present military usurper, and the esab,
-. lshment Of another. But, seriously y, are
there any causes OF war with Mexlco?-
1 What national faith or law Of comfy has
the United States violated to incte Mexico
to war with US! Is it possible that gen,
|tlemen will stand up here and say that
Mexico is so blind to her own interests
that she will be guided by such consum'
ale folly as to to declare war against the
! u. S. on account of the annexation of Tex
as?--the annexation of territory ocknow-
ledge by the most civilized nations Of
world 10 be free and indie pendent, and as
such, have in their intercourse respect Of
an equal? 1t appears ridiculous for SO
grave and enlightened body to ascertain
the idea. But if thought there was the
the remotest probability of war with Mex
leo. would not adopt a doubtful or unde-
termined policy. would meet her threats
or menaces, not probably with the same
sense Of wounded honor, but with the same
unyelding determination to resist them,
as would the threats and menaces OF any
other nation.
MIR. President, it is not my intention to
enter into a debate on the annexation OF
Texas 10 the United States; but, sir, |
must be permitted te observe. that IN the
consummati on OF that act, we only acquir,
ed what was of right our own, and what
was our Just due. We, sir, drew back to
our arms a child which, by ruthless
hand, had been torn from our embraces.
Texas was our leg itmate offspring. She
came to US, and threw herself into our
arms, and desired reunion with US. She
owed no allegiance to the government oil
Santa Ana. She never acknowledged his
sovereign authority over her. How then
can it be said that, in acquiring that ter
ritory by treaty, (as propose TO acquire
Ofegon,) we have violated any oil Inc
rights OF Mexico, when her sovereign had
acknowledged her independence!
waive further remark here TO exam
inc more probable grounds OF rupture ID
Ihn nxLnrnal nnllcv Of nnr COUNTY,. AND !