Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-23

of general rendezvous is all or nearly all
or the expenditure which has been refund
ed as yet by the General Government.
The Adjutant General OF the State IS
now at Washington, engaged in the settle
ment of this business with the War De-
partmen,; and in short time a special
communication will be made, which will
bring the subject of these expenditures and
the matters connected herewith, fully be-
fore you.
The army Of the United States is now
in possession, by means Of conquest, OF
five of the provinces OF Mexico-Tamau'
lpas, New Leon, Chihuahua, New Mexi'
CO, and California. The military COM
mander who headed the forces which took
possession Of New Mexico, has affected to
make formal annexation Of this province
TO the United Slates-has proclaimed him
self Governor of the province-assumed
the exercise of civil authority over the
people of that country, and actually re-
ouired some Of them to take an oath Of al
legiance to the United States.
If the object of the President OF the Uni.
ted States in sending an army into the in
terror of Mexico, be solely TO compel the
government of that country 10 the terms
Of speedy anG honorable peace, such pro-
ceedings may perhaps, be excusable, If not
iustifable. But if the purpose and effect
Of the invasion Of Mexico, by our armies,
be the acquisition of territory, and the an
nexation Of the subJugated provinces to our
national confederacy, have no hesitation in
pronouncing it violation Of the fundamen.
tai principles of our government, and Of
the spirit and true intent Of our national
Constitution. The Government Of the u
nited States has no right to engage in war
Of aggression and conquest. The very
introduction to the Constitution, expressive
of its whole object and intent, most eAplic-
ity declares the sole design Of our Govern
mens to be ssto form more perfect union,
establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquil
ity, provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings Of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity." And the whole context and
spirit of the Constitution clearl repels the
idea, that the United States can engage in
any war, except when necessary tor the
common defence, and to insure the inter-
nal tranquility of the country. Our nation
al conlederacy is one oflimited powers land
clearly gives no authority to annex the
provinces Of foreign nation by mere con-
quest, without the authority even of law Of
Congress; and without the consent of the
people of the country to which those foreign
provinces belong. Whether the gross usur.
patton of civil authority committed by the
military commander who has subjugate1
the province Of New Mexico, will receive
the treatment 1t merits at the hands Of the
national government, remains to be deter
mined. There is no rule of the jusbelH
established by the practice of nations,
which can authorize disregard Of the
Constitution, and of the limited purposes
and legitimate designs of our national COM
pact. Let justice be done, and the great
principles OF our Constitution maintained,
whatever consequences may follow.
h Ole of the first principles in the theory
OF our republican form OF government is,
that the people Of every country, for the
purpose Of protecting their rights and lib
critics and securing their independence, have
an inalienable right to select and establish
a government for themselve,, and at all
times a complete power, for the purposes
aforesaid, to alter, reform or abolish the
sama, whenever they may deem it necessa-
ry. So important was This principle tho't
to be thatlwe find it embodied i'll the first Sec
tion of the Bill Of Rights in the Constitution
of Ohio. Without palpable violation of
thislun1amental principle in all civil gov
etnnents, we cannot acquire by conquest.
and annex to our nationalU Union by the force
Of arms, the inhabited territory and organ
lied provinces of foreign nation. Even
supposi it TO be one Of the constitutional
objects our national confederacyto extend
our civil authority,an acquire vast extent
Of rcourtry, those subjuga,ed dMexican provin.
ces could not be annexed to our national
Union without the consent OF constitutional
majority of the people of the United States.
g, Each State of the national confederacy
has deep and immediate interest in those
questions, which are about to rise OUT Of
the war with Mexico; and no state can O.
verlook them, with q due regard for the
safety of the Union and the maintenance
of the principles Of the Constituliou.r :R
a. The fact that our army sent into the in
terror Of Mexico has not been vanquished,
but on the contrary has been victorious on
every battle field, and has fully sustained
the character OF our country for military
prowess.is very natural and very prop
er subject Of national pride and congraut-
lation. The bonfres, iluminaiions, and
rejoicings, upon the receipt Of the first
news Of such events, shows the patriotic
urdor Of our people, and their attachment
10 their government. But the ardor of
public feeling should not be allowed to lead
judgement astray,or induce a lorgetluluess
Of the duty ofour country, and its high po-
sition in regard to the great and immutable
principles of justice and the rights Of man.
\ thirst for military fame and conquest; an
Gyerweenino snirit of;a aoprandizement.h have