Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-12-18

cy so sacred to humanity, and so salutary in its
effects upon our political system, we should ne
yer be induced voluntarily to depart.
The existing war with Mexico was neither de-
sired nor provoked by the United States On
the contrary, all honorable means were resorted
to to avert it. After years of endurance of ag-
gravated and unredressed wrongs on our part,
Mexico, in violation of solemn treaty stipula-
tons, and ofevery principle of justice recognized
by civilized nations, commenced hostilities land
thus by her own act, forced the war upon us.
Long before the advance of our army to the left
bank of the Rio Grande, we had ample cause of
war against Mexico and had the United States
resorted to this extremity, we might have ap-
pealed to the whole civilized world for the JUS
tice of our cause.
deem tito be my duty to present to you on
the present occasion, a condensed review of the
injuries we had sustained, Of the causes which
led to the war, and of its progress since its com
mencement. This is rendered the more ncccs-
sary, because of the msapprehensons which
have to some extent prevailed as to its origin and
true character The war has been represented
as unjust and unnecessary, and us one OF ag-
gression on our part upon weak and injured
enemy. Such erroneous views, though enter
tanned bv but few, have been widely and extern
.ively circulated, not only at home. but have
been apread throughout Mexico and the whole
world. A more efiectual means could not have
been devised to encourage the enemy and pro-
tract the war, than to advocate aud adhere to
their cause, and thus give them" aid and COM
fort"
It's a source of national pride and exutation
that the great body of our people have thrown
no such obstacles in the way of the government
-, tho ,,rar sfullv btt ba n
shown themselves to be cminently patriotic and
ready to vindicate their countrys honor and in
terests at any sacrifice. The alacrty and
promptness with which our volunteer forces
rushed to the field on their counirys call, prove
not only their patriotism, but their deep convic'
ton that our cause is Just.
The wrongs which we have suffered from
Mexico, almost ever since she became in indie
pendent power and the patient endurance with
which we have borne them, are without pa
rallied in the history Of modern civilized nations
There is reason to believe that il these wrongs
had been resented and resisted in the first in
sance, the present war wight have been avoided
One outrage, however, permitted to pass witt
impunity, almost necessarily encouraged the
preparation of another, until at last Mexico
seemed to attribute to weakness and indecisiol
on our part, a forbearance which was the oil
spring of magnanimity, and Of sincere desir
to preserve friendly relations with a sister re
public.
Scarcely had Mexico achieved her indepen
dcnce, which the United States were the frs
comTenced the system of insult and snoliatior
,l;ch she has over since nersunJ Our citizen,
onraged a lawful commerce wore imnrisonee
their vessels seized and our fac insulted in he
morris. Ifmoney was wanted the lawless seizur
and coufiscation of our merchant vessels an
their carpoes was a reads resource and if
accomplish their purposes it became necessar
to imprison the owners, captains and crews
was done. Rulers superseded rulers in Mexic
in rapid succession, but still there was 10 chang
in this system of depreciation. The governmel
of the United States made repeated reclaim;
tons on behalf of its citizens, but these wei
answered by the preparation Of new outrage:
Promises of redress made by Mexico in ii
most solemn forms were postponed or evade
The files and records OF the Department of Sta,
contain conclusive profs of numerous lawle'
acts perpetrated upon the property and persoi
of our citizens by Mexico, and of wanton insul
to our national flag. The interpositon of o,
government to obtain redress was again al
again invoked, under circumstances which l
nation ought to disregard.
II was Lo,el that these outr,ces would ceas
) and that Meyico would no restrained nv the Law
:. which regulate the condnct of civilized natio
in IN .ir intercour.e with zach o,ba- .ftnr n
treaty of omitv commerce ,nI rayr,,;on nj II
'' 9Th of Anril 'ls2I was concludod hetweon n
tv,o ronuhI;cs hi dis bono soor rro,,od n
l. val, I'm, course of sol ,uro and conf;sc,,ion
tho nronertv of our c;,;1ons ,bo v;ol,t;on Of III,
+; rerIons and the insults ~ omr a,o nursuod
Moy;co nr.,,,;ons t,, ,h., ,;,,,, nor, n,rooJ, CT
nended tnr oven , br;of nor;od althonrb thc tre
~ so clearly dof;pes tbe r;,rhts and d1ties of :
5, res,ec,;ye n,r,;es tho, !, i ;mrossbo 10 misu
Jerr,,nd or m;sta Lo tbon In lass than Sey,
y vars ,flor ,ho corclrs;or nf ,hat tro,,, n
IS grievonccs had bocoroo go in,oler,bla th,t
n Tho on;nion If president 7, ~ .nn ,hov should
r. lon1ar ho ondnroJ In h;S roySa,r 10 Conare
in Fobru,rv Isa, ha 'a 'rnsan,ed tbon 70 =,
consideration of that hod,, and declared n
.tho Ion,,h of,;mo s;n., 80 ortbo in;ur;os bo
hcen commit,od tho ronoatoJ md unav,il;rg
nIica,;ons Gov raJross f,h, ,,,a,,or cLo, &C.
some OF The 0utrapes upon the property and p'
sons of our citizens. upon the officers and tilr
'e the United States. independent Of recent ms
re- to this government and people. by the late
III traordinlrv Mexican minister, would iu,tify
50 the ewes of all nations. immediate war" /
~ spirit of kindness and forbearance. however.
recommended reprisals, as a mider mode of
'e dress. lie declared that war should not be II
a. as a remedy by lust and generous nato
e contiding in their strength for injuries coma
- ted, if it can be honorabiy avoided" and add
p'- 6 it has occurred to me that, considering
"a present embarrassed condition of that coIn
on we should act with both wisdom and modcrati
u BY giving to Mexico one more opportunit,