Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-06-17

a. = |.EF TaIl 1890 80
I From the Pittsburgh Daily Chronicle. W
REMARKS OF 1ss,o
HON. BENJAMIN PATTON, Jr., -
DELIVERED AT THE WAR MEETING, HELD
IN PITTSBURGH, ON FRIDAY EVENING,
| THE 9Th OF JUNE, 1S46, AND FuRNIsMg
i ED FOR PUBLICATION IN puRsUANcE OF
4 A RESOLUTION UNANIMOUSLY ApoPTEU
| ON THAT OCCASION.
1t is probably known to most of you, that
since have been on the Bench, have, in a
great measure, abstained from taking part in
the proceedings Of public meetings. tits so
long, indeed, since have addresseda public
assemblage ofmy fellow-citizens, that have
almost forgotten how to do it.
The proceedings Of the present meeting,I
am happy to learn, are not to be circumscrib-9
ed by party lines. The object is one, in
which every American citizen takes, or
ought to take, a deep interest whatever may
be his politics. 1t is in this view of tho
subject, and in compliance with the call that
has just been made, that throw aside on
this occasion, the habitual restraint, under
which have heretofore acted, and venture
to make few observations in regard to the
present posture of affairs between this coun-
try and Mexico.
1t so happened that, once in my life,
spent short time in that unfortunate coun-
try. But short as the time was, was there
long enough to see one dynasty, or adminisI
tration, put down by military force, and
another put in its place and Ihad not long
left the country, before the successful party
were compelled, in turn, to yield to the
power of the sword. From that period to
the present, have watched with lively
interest, and for my own individual satsfac-
ton, the progress Of events in that country
and the state Of her relations with our goyen.
ment. i'''.'
Here let me remark, (what has probably
occurred to you ally that country more
abundantly blessed with the bountieso Gods
Providence, and more deeply cursed by
mans mis.government, can hardly be found
: : on the face Of the earth-certainly not
within the pale of civilized nations. This
remark is made in no spirit of depreciation
J or denunciation, but rather with feeling Of
melancholy, when look upon the contrast
which is there presented between the face of
nature, and the face of human society
when | see a country, so eminently favored
in natural gifts blighted and spoiled by the
ignorance, corruption, and barbarity Of its
inhabtants-and, above all, when am told
to look at the results, which are thus exhibit
ed, Tor rather at the alleged results, for they
are not the legitimate fruits) Of the great
principle of selEgovernment. 1t is my
solem conviction, that any conjuncture Of
affairs even war if no other measure will
answer), that would redeem that country or
any considerable portion Of it, from the
alternate neglect and oppression of a corrupt
and imbecile government, would deserve to-
: be hailed as marked and happy event in
the onward progress of civilization. The
men in power there, were the first to set
examples of fraud and violence, treachery
and corruption. The people have followed
them, until the laws, the obligation of con-
tracts, and the faith of treaties are alike dis
regarded, and the rights Of pe,son, property
!, and life exist in wretched state of insecure
ty.
We have borne more insults, and more
grievances at the hands Of that government
and people, than were ever submitted to by
any other civilized nation, as able as we are
e to redress our wrongs. 1t was the consci-
. BUSINESS of this very ability--of our vast
9 uperiority-connected with feeling Of
, sympathy for her as sister Repnblic-that
, induced and put us in position, to treat her
with long suffering forbearance. Thus we
have treated her ''until the cup of forbear-
ance has been exhausted" Had our re-
, sources as a nation been less-had we been
. weak power instead Of strong one--our
moderation would have been deemed ptl.
) sillanimity.
Let any one carefully peruse the Presi-
dents War Message, and the accompanying
0 documents, Il hope that every citizen, what
$ ever may be his political associations, will
y read them,) and he will there find how
I, triumphantly we are vindicated by the facts,
q and by the record before the world, from the
i charge of bringing on the war. Upon the
!, main question, and the evidence disclosed
d in these documents, should be willing 70
take the Judgment Of any honest and intelli-
pent court in Christendom. It would in
evitably bein our favor.
IS You have heard of the long series Of OUT
n RACES committed by the government and peo-
n pie Of that country, upon .he persons, the
) property, and the commerce Of our citizens.
j. They have been the subjects Of loud COM
r plaint--of tedious negotiation of angry
remonstrance through our representatives,
and Of legislation III Dur Congress. They
8 stand confessed by treaty stipulations some
d of which remain to this day unfillfilod by
n Mexico. Had the difficulties growing out
of the Texas question, never arisen, we have