Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-04
THE ENQUIRER.
wednesday, Morning, December ., lsae.
RICHMOND, VA.


49, ,.,nsare..;no party owns is iaul', receives
back the territory which has been cohque'e ~. :,
i, and liouidales The expenses oil wal VIZ"
~. rn;,s,,v commenced or provoked. Announcer
-,,orna,ivs is The case wherein The erring na''ol
oivss nm 10 The other a portion OF lis 'ef'io'S,
which Thai other holes in lieu oil atonenen' OH"
commentator. The most dire result OF all wars
is where one nation destroys The existence VI a"-
other. annhila,cs liz Government, ana nous II %
&, conouercd provnce; but even his where 'hVe-
,er,,e obs,;nacy in wrong doing chafacterlzes me
copduc, Of The conquered party, Is lus''heu oo'h
by national law and The true doctrines Oh e'"lcs.
The American forces have already ADVANCE"
so far into Mexico have possessed themselves u
such an extent Of country, and nave 50 Pia'h'y
shown vas, preponderance OF strength upon our
side, lha, the most scep'ical can no longer oouo'
as 10 The hands in which will be found The power
Of debating The terms Of peace.
The first mode which We have suggested IS
hardly practicable, as Mexico IRON lis cohpie'e
want OF systematic and regular government
and from ,he demi. civilized condition OF lis peo-
ME cannot perorn for ITSELF or obtain responsioie
Guarantees for its performance Of contracts, 10 so
lsroe an amount as would be necessary 10 deiray
The expenses OF The war In which she has involVeu
rs Moreover, although were she able, II misn'
he biohlv mapnanimous in US TO make peace on
such terms, vel having been forced inio This con-
test by her unjust, and we might say, demensed
course i, is no, Inconsistent with right, nor can
we even be charged with undue severity should
we retain possession of such OF her territories as
NAV afford us the most ample securiiy sga'ns'
Mexican aggression hereafter.
The last fearful alternative il is 10 De hopec
will be spared us. Though Mexico can scarce
" be allied nation, in the strict terms OF writer's
upop national law, yet she has been so acknow-
lodged among other powers, and it would be oouo.
less most painful 10 strike her from the isl Oh na-
lions. and most contrary 10 the genius oil our he-
public. 10 held her IS q conquered people Yet
necessity would Justify even lhis-a fool-harcy
refusal 10 make proper peace, The non-ex'slence
OF a responsible government might drive us 10
such procedure. We cannot admit the race which
occupies, not peoples, Mexico, 10 the privileges
of American citizens, and ye, we are bound oy
every rule OF lew and equity TO provide govern
ment for The people OF any country which we have
conquered. (These things should be taken into
consideration BY those who SO severely reprooale
The conduct OF American officers now in The pos
session OF Mexican terrilories.)
We are told by some presses in this country
of the mons,fous and cruel injustice OF such pro-
cedure as the last; those who would, under any
circumstance, justify il, are held up as alike in
sensible 10 the obligations OF law, to The comfy of
nations and even The common charities OF hu-
mani,y-they are threatened with the universal
execralion OF all Chrisendom, and deserved
chaslisement from the great powers OF Europe.
Have persons who argue TO conclusions such as
these, read bislory-even that OF the last hfy
years1 Do they know Of English conquests III
India of English aggression against the Oldest
Empire In The world, in China2 Are they aware
Of the partition Of Poland between Austria, Rus
ia and Prussia2 Have they heard Of Frances
former conquest. OF Spain, Holland, and ltaly2 =
Ausras present possession Of The fair territories
Of Lombardy2-and frances equally unjust en-
croacbmen,s upon The Moors and Arabs OF AL
giers1 How can any OF these nations say one
word to any infection which we, in seeking jos
lice, may be compelled, by their own otslnacy,
10 visit upon The Me1icansl
Blu. we repeat me hope, that 10 this der''ey re-
sort we may not be driven, and that even IN Mex
ico there will be found men al the head OF Inc DO
vcrnmeni patriotic and sagacous enough 10 STAND
between their country and ruin, and, ny granting
a fair and equitable adjustment OF all difhcnll'es
10 prevent farther conflict between neighooIs,
whose mutual interest requires friendship. In
the mean time we should disregard croakers al
home and threats abroad. Our county is al
war. and by firm, digent, vigorous prose-
cution of that war; we shall alone obtain an ho-
norable peace, and it is moi The voice oil the pa
trot which would discourage our efforts or throw
out inducements 10 foreign powers TO interfere III
our concerns The good and the true sustain
The war-and patriots al home will willingly toll
for those who, with arms in their hands. support
the honor and interest Of The country in foreign
land. Let all remember the lasting execration
which was cast upon those who, during The lasl
war, endeavored 10 cripple the means Of war and
weaken The hand of Government. /, may be a
warning 10 violen, opponents. The honor then
attained BY these who served ;heir country, will
be an encouragement TO those who serve it now.
We have mol spaceto give our views IN eztea-
so this morning-we will endeavor 10 carry them