Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-10-13
From the N. Y. Eve. Post.
Prof. Mafiit's Lecture Oh the War

at the Tabernacle on Friday evening, to
listen TO the Rev, Professor on the subject
of the Mexican war. The reputation OF
the distinguished lecturer, together with
the singularity of a clergy mans selecting
this topic created no little anxiety to hear
him. The lecture was characterized by
all the peculiarities and eccentricities for
which he is remarkable. Our limits will
allow us to present but a brief synopsis
OF his lecture, presenting but an imperfect
idea OF the performance as whole. His
tone, manner, gesture, expression, all com
bine to form that peculiar style Of elo-
quence for which he is distinguished. In
some words the spelling is made to CORES
pond to his peculiar pronunciation.
After some general Introductory remarks
on the uniformity of the works of Provi-
| dence, he proceeded to speek of Mexico
and her wonderful natural advantage, her
romantic scenery, fertile plains and snow
capped submits of the Cordilleras was
likened unto Jerusalem, which drew forth
from the Lyric King the expression beau
tiful Tor situation, the joy Of the whole
earth is Mount Zion, as the mountains are
about Jerusalem SO the Lord is round
about his people from hsncetorth even for
ever; even Jerusalem of Theocratc fame
is but dim shadow Of the divine magnti-
cence of the Mexican mountains. Here
in this favored cline, nature was clothed
IN her gayest a,tire-had lavished her
richest treasures, flowers with the per-
fumes OF Araby, trees with boughs reach
ing up into sunshine, anc scented shrubs
with hues more brilliant than ever adorn-
ed sunset, and mineral resources unri-
vailed, of which a thousand years would
not develope the hundredth part of the
wealth, seemed to make this land the gar
den Of the earth. The peculiar physical
organization ofthe country would account
for these pre-eminent advantages. Then
too the sky was likened to an ocean of
aerial quicksilver, in which float sublimely
the most gorgeous islets ever tinsed by
| sunset.
The blessings of peace were then strik-
ingly contrasted with the evils of war;
Yet war (said the speaker) has been a
work of necessity. Wrongs long persist
ed in the cry of redress, and the spirit of
the Lord calls for the sword. Gods voice
speaks in the dreadful lannon's boom, and
his holy angels lead on armies to the work
OF carnage and slaughter. Dread and SOL
emn is the thought of war. The first roar
OF the cannon may be nations knell, and
by the first camp fires thousands may read
their doom. 1t bathes thousands of fami-
lies in tears, and wraps about them the
weeds OF orphanage. Waterloo sent mis-
cry and tears over the whole earth. We
had for long time enjoyed uninterrupted
peace. More than thirty years had elaps-
ed since the roar of hostile cannon died
Away at New Orleans, with the victory OF
Jackson. A change in the national feel
ing had occurred. This change was only
the effect Of giving free scope to Anglo
Saxon feelings and opinionsthe will I'M
conquerable, Anglo Saxon blood flowing
rampant through American viens, and pro-
jucing its effects as we see. For himself
he neither condemned or approved Of the
Mexican war.
The din of arms in all states, volunteers
from states, the almost unanimous feeling
in its favor show that, whatever may be
/ private opinion, it is national war. Old
Rough and Ready was its wet nurse,
rourishing with streams OF Mexican blood.
| Tremendous applause The Hebrews
were men OF battle; Greeks, Romans, Car
thagenians all, were distinguished for war
like proves. His own green "Emerald
Isle, land Of the ba,tle-axe and harp" had
been the mother of brave Sous without
number. Cossocks and GauIs, and Ger
mans, were all nations of distinguished
bravery. But in true heroic valor the
Anglo Saxon race far surpasses them all;
especially here, where, cramped by no ,y-
rannical forms Of civil and religious pow
er. it is destined to rush over the whole
American continent, free as the winds OF
heaven. Three words have been its motto
-"Conquer or die"
1t has a great mission to accomplish
that of giving freedom to the world. Mex
leo had abolished slavery, but deserved no
credit for the act. 1t was on y making a
virtue OF necessity. The Cas,Ilian blood
all split, a military despotism, aided by
hierarchy in religion, held them in a
double ron grasp. Pronunciamentos were
i the order of the day, and the blessing o
Jacob upon lssachar, is appropriate to her
"a strong ass crouchiug between two bur-
dens." Mexican veracity had become as
notorious as Pnnic faith. Mlsrule, OPP
preston and tyranny reigned supreme In
that unhappy country, producing universal
misery. For several years it had been a
singular spectacle to The world on account
of Santa Anna having long since dlsap-
pointed the Genius o. Liberty. He was
as vertable tyrant as ever walked God S
fair aud beautiful earth. The annexation
OF Texas aroused Mexican wrath. lay
lor was ordered to take bis stand on the
Rio Grande, and defend our territory
The Mexicans struck the first hostile blow
and opened the door for the bloody scenes
which have followed The speaker the,
very graphically and nervously described
the battles OF Palo Alto, Resaca and Monte
rev. The thunder of the cannon, the roa'
Of the musketry, the roll ofthe drums. the