Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-10-29
From The philadelphia North american.
The Great Question.
The Cedars, real Newark, n. j., }
September 6, 1917. !

Why was the Mexican war undertaken by
the administration 1t was not for the re-
dress of wrongs, for no such object is recog-
nized in the terms offered. 1t was not for
indemniication, for the administration is will
ling TO assume all the debts Of Mexico due to
citizens of the United States. The only is
sue recognized in the negotiation is as to
territory. How much will you give? How
much will you take! Mexico offers one
fifth we demand one half; and upon that
demand, and that alone, arc we now fighting
the Mexicans. Whatever aspect might have
been originally given to the contest, it is now
stripped by the negotiation, of all consldera-
lions but one, how much shall we conquer?
how much shall we consent TO takel The
war is now a mere, a clear, an avowed war
of conquest.
That there is error, wrong, crime, in such
a war-that it is Inconsistent with the char
acter and perilous to the destiuies of the re-
public, we will not pause to demonstrate, for
nothing can be clearer. But there are other
considerations against which the voters of
Pennsylvania must not shut their eyes. The
territory is claimed, not because we need it
mot because the people have craved it-not
because it will add to our real wealth and
power. Why, then, is il claimed ! Let that
be answered by those who claim it--thc fac
ton in The South. Thirteen free States have
protested against receiving it as slave terrific
ry their protests have exposed the real OBJ
ject of the Administrdtion--the extension Of
slavery, and the whole force of the govern
ment has been brought to bear against the
Wilmot Proviso and its supporters. The
mask has fallen from the plot, and we see
the real object Of the war-Ihe extension Of
slavery.
HL.. 1~-.-- la. ,V.1 eli -L,.. l.
seeks, in the first place, the extension of sla-
very, as an abstract good. 1t desires TO spread
and multiply the luxury Of whips and shack
les. 1t is anxious to render a territory, now
free, dedicated forever to universal liberty,
the home of the bond and the land of the
slave. This is a Southern madness. 1t seeks
glory in darkening the globe with the shad-
ow of bondage, and regards the c~lanking Of
chains as music necessary TO tho full APP
probation Of liberty. 1t loves slavery for It.
self-nay it hates us for not participating in
the insanity; and it has adopted, in the pol
icy of this administration, means to force us
TO aid in the extension Of the evil we SO shud-
deringly deprecate.
But il is not for the mere advocacy and eX-
tension Of slavery itself for the love of slave
~, that this war has been commenced. The
Union has been for years approaching an
equipoise. The South, has for the most part,
governed the republic, giving it rulers, and
debating its policy. Although a minority, il
has regarded the control Of the country as its
heritage. The increase Of the population and
number of the free States, has rendered this
supremacy doubtful. They have now a
Southern administration, and the entire force
of the government is dedicated 10 the con-
summation of their designs. The territory
demanded nv the administration is sufficient
10 make eighty States Of the size Of Mlssa-