The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-06-11
Onr country Is rigllt!

ulSCuSSlOu Oh tno Vut <APPt"P'"uvn o'i'5 ~
the. denunciation Of the war and the govern
ment by Mr. Delano, is conclusive Of the
righteous character of The contest, so far as
boundary is made question, We regret
that we can give but part Of this triumph
ant yindication Of the right;
With profession Of patriotism on their lips,
do they not show that their hearts are against
their own country2 They appearl to the
religious feelings of our counirymen to unite
in execration Of our government army, citi-
lzens, soldiers and country, for prosecuting
what they denounce as an unholy, unright-
eous, and damnable cause. They predict
that the judgement Of God will rest upon
lus-that sickness, and carnage, and death
Twill be our porton--that defeat and disgrace
Twill attend our arms! Is there not treason
I'm the heart that can feel, and poison in the
breath that can utter, such sentiments against
their own country, when forced TO take up
arms in self defence, to repel invasion by a
brutal and perfidibus enemy? They for
Their country right or wrong, who tell our
people if they rally under their country's
standard, their bones will bleach on the plains
Of Mexico, andfbe enemy will look down from
the mountain Up TO behold the destruction
ofou armies " disease and malades, and
all those mysllrious elements of death which
Divine Providence employs TO punish a wick
ed people for Prosecuting an unholy and un-
Just war Sir, Itell these gentlemen that il
requires more chsrity than falls 10 the lot of
frail man to believe that these sentiments
are consistent with the sincerity of their
ofessions-with patriotism, honor and duty
TO their country. Patriotism emanates from
the heart, fills thesoul, infuses itself into the
whole man, and speaks and acts the same
language. A friend of his country in war,
will feel, speak, aud act for his country will
reverve his countY's cause, and hate his
country's enemies America wants no friend,
acknowledges the fidelity Of no citizen who,
after war is declared, condemns the justice
of bnr cnuso, sympaihizes with tho enemy.
All such are traitors in their hearts; and
would TO God that they would commit some
overt act for which they could be dealt with
according 10 their deserts.
We have received the republic of Texas,
with her entire territory, into this Union, as
an independent and sovereign State, and
have no right 10 ALLEVIATE or surrender any
portion Of it. This obligation, the gentlemen
Of the spposition admit so far as respects the
country to the northeast Of the Nueces, but
deny both the obligation and right go beyond
that river. should have felt myself under
peculiar obligations TO them, if they would
have condescended to inform US upon what
grounds they assume the Nueces to have
been the boundary line of the republic OF
Texas, and draw u distinction between our
right to the country on the opposite sides Of
that stream.
Immediately after the battle of San Jacin-
TO, Santa Apna made proposition to the com
mander of the Texan unny ~ maku u ueary
of peace, by which Mexico would recognize
the independence of Texas, with the Rio
Del Norte as the boundary. In May, 1886,
such treaty was made between the govern
ment of Texas and Santa Anna, in which
the independence of the republic of Texas
was acknowledged, and the Rio Del Norte
recognised as the boundary. In pursuance
of this treaty, the remnant of the Mexican
army were ordered by Santa Anna to retire
beyond the confines of the republic of Tex
as, and take their position on the west side
of the Rio Del Norte, which they did in con
formity with the treaty of peace.
Mr.. J. w. Huston wish to ask of the
gentleman from Illinois was that treaty ever
ratified by the government of Mexico?
Mr.. Douglass. will answer the gentle
mans question with great pleasure. That
treaty was ratified on the part of Mex
leo by any body except Santa Anna, for the
very good reason that, in the year previous
Santa Anna had usurped the government of
Mexico, had abolished the constitution and
the regularly established government, and
taken all the powers of government into his
own hand To give stability 10 the power
which he had usurped by the sword, he cal
led Congress around him composed of his
own adherents and followers, and had himself
formally proclaimed dictator Of the republic
of Mexico, and, as.such, clothed with all the
powers Of government, civil and military
In this capacity, he marched his armies into
Texas for the purpose ofrcdncing those peo-
pie into subjection TO the despotism which
he had established, and exterminatng the
last vestge Of freedom which remained in
all his dominions. While engaged in this
work of desolation with fire and sword, COM
miii.ag butcheries and barbarities unknown
to civilized Marfare, he fell into the hands of
the heroic Houston and his gallant little ar
my--a captive to those whom he was striving
to reduce TO capacity. Then il was the ty-
rant became a suppliant-a suppliant for his
life and liberty--a, the hands of those he had
designed as his victims. Then the dictator
bent The knee in pdryer for mercy, offering
to recognize the independence Of Texas TO
the Rio Del Norte. Subsequently the trea-