The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-11

ding then sg.s sSSSInlheni winch is less oppres
save TO the people and more eongenal with oul
own free institutions. But, in the former case, we
may appoint officers of our own Or il we confirm the
omer officers in their places, authorized by the
laws OF war to swear them TO maintain allegiance the
United States so long as we hold military possession
In the same General Harrison when he oceu-
pied the upper district of Upper Canada proclaimed on
the 18th October, 1913, "that all magistrates and Other
civil officers to resume the exercise OF their functions
previously taking oath TO be faithful 10 tie government
Of The United States" &C. The laws OF New Mexico
were too oppressive TO be preserved in all their gor Nc
poor could even make the commones petition to the
old government, unless il written out on stamp
taxed paper. The government established, howey
er, is only temporary government, founded upon mil
tary possession But no territory can be permanently
annexed to confederacy by military executive
officer but its ultimate destination is TO depend upon the
treaty of peace, be duly ratified according the forms
Of our constitution.
Mr. Winthrop, OF Massachusetts, did not display his
usual discemment, we think, when he inferred from
the Message that the President intended 10 MAINTAIN
(pemanenD possession of the country. We have a
right to conquer place. We have right to maintain
its possession either constituting base las, for
example, Tampco0 for future military operations, to
constrain the enemy 10 grant satisfactory peace.
Clearly, this was the Presidents meaning; and we
surprised that the whole context OF the following pas
sage did not serve to prevent Mr. winthrop from falling
into the he has committed Il will at least cor
rect il:
The war has not been waged with view conquest;
but having been commenced by Mexico, it has been
red into the enemys country, and will be vigorously pros
ecued there, with view obtain an honorable peace and
thereby ample indemnity for the expenses Of the
war, well To much-injuIed citizens, who hold
large pecunaEy demands against Mexico
"By the laws of nations, conquered territory Is subject
~ DO governed by the conqueror during has military pos
sessio and until there Is either treaty OF peace, he
shall voluntarily withdraw from H. The old civil govern
being necessarily superseded, II Is the right and duty
OF the conqueror his conquest and 10 provide ior
the ainenance civil order and the rights Of the inhab
This right has been exercised, and this duty per
formed, by military and naval commanders, by the
tablishment OF temporary governments in some of the
conquered provinces In Mexico, assnatng them far
practicable the free institutions OF own county Ia
the provinces of New Mexico, and Of the CALIFORNIA; little
any further resistance Is aPprehended from the inhabi
the temporary gOVdHmeHts which have thus, from
the HecsIy Of the cas- and according 10 the h0s Of
cur becu established. Il may b. proper to provide for
the security OF these important conquests by making
adequate appropriation for the purpose Of erecting ortcs
tons and delaying the expenses necessarily incident 10 the
maintenance Of possession and authority over them