The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-03-16

And France, too, she has found ROOM Her
eagles now no longer scream along The
banks of the Danube, the Pc, and The Bory-
ethcnrs. They have returned home. 10 their
Old eyrr, between the Alps, the Rhine, and
the Pyreuees. Sc shall IL be with yours
You may carry them TO The loftiest peaks oil
the Cordilleras; they may wave with inso-
lent triumph in the halls of the MonteZumas;
the armed men Of Mexico may quail before
them: but the weakest hand in Mexico, up
lifted in prayer to the God Of Justice, may
call down against you power in the pres
ence of which The iron hearts Of your warriors
shall; be turned into ashes.
Mr. President. il the history Of our race has
established any truth. il is but confirmation
| Of what is written, The way Of the trans
gressor is hard. lnordinate ambition. wan
toniug in power. and spurniug the humble
maxins Of justice has, ever has, and ever
shall end in rum. Strength cannot always
| trample upon weak ness-the humble shall be
exalted-the bowed down will at length be
lifted up. 1t is BY faith in tie law Of strict
justice and practise of its p,ecepts that ma
lions alone can be saved. All the annals of
the human race, sacred and profane, are writ
ten over with this great truth in characters OF
living light. 1t is my fear, my fixed belief,
that in this invasion, this war with Mexico,
we have forgotten this vital truth. Why is
| il that we have been drawn into this whirlpool
| Of war! How clear and strong was the light
that stIone upon The path Of duty year ago J
The last disturbing question With England
was seitIed-our power extended its peaceful
sway from the Atlantic TO the Pacific, from
the Alleghanies we look out upon Europe,
and from the tops Of The Stony Mountains
we could descry the shore Of Asia; a rich
commerce with all the nations OF Europe
poured wealth aud abundance into our lap on
the Atlantic side, while an unoccupied COM
merce OF three hundred millions of Asiatics
waited on the Pacific for our enterprise to
come and possess il. One hundred millions
of dollars will be wasted in this fruitless war.
Had this money OF the people been expend
in making rail road from your Northern
Lakes to the Pacific, as one Of your citizens
has begged Of you in vain. you would have
made highway for the world between Asia
and Europe. Your capital then would be
within thirty or forty days travel of any and
every point on the map Of the civilized world.
Through this great artery of trade you would
have carried through the heart of your own
country The teas Of China and the spices of
India TO the aIkets of England and France.
Why, why, Mr.. President, did we abandon
the enterprise Of peace, and befake ourselves
TO the barbarous achievements Of war; Why
did we 'forsake this fair and fertile field, TO
batten on that moor,
But. Mr.. President, If further acquisition
OF territory is 10 be the result of either con-
quest or treaty. then scarcely know which
should he preferred-eiernsl war with Mex- |
CO, or the hazards Of internal commotOn at
home, which last fear may come il another
province is 10 he added TO our terrtory.--l
There is one topic connected with this sub
ject which tiemble when approach. ard
yet cannot forbear TO notice it. 1t meets
you in every step you take, il threatens you
which way soercr you 60 in the prosecution
Of this war. | alude TO the question Of sla
very. Opposition 10 its further extension, it
must he obvious TO every one, is deeply |
rooted determination with men Of all parties
in what We call the non sIayeholding States.
New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, three of
the most powerful, have already sent their
legislative instructions herc-so il will be, /
doubt not. in all the rest 1t is vain now TO
speculate about the reason for this. Gentle
men Of the South may call it prejudice, pas
sion, hypocrisy, fanaticism. | shall moi dis
pute with them now on that point The
great fact that IT is SO, and not otherwise, is
" hat it concerns us to know. You or can
not alter or change this opinion if we would.
These people only say, we will not, cannot
consent that you shall carry slavery where
does not already exist. They do not seek
o disturb you in that institution, rs il exists
n your States. Enjoy it ifyou will, and as
'ou will. This is their language, their deter
nination. How is il in the South Can it
&c expected that they should eSpend in {
ommou, their blood and their treas
ire, in the acquisition Of immense terri
DRY, aud then willingly forego the right to
AIRY thltler their slaves, and inhabt the con-
uered country il they please to do so, Sir.
know the feelings and opinions OF the South
90 wcllto calculate on this. Nay, believe
hey would even con,enc TO any extremity
or the mere right had they no wish 10 exert
1. | believe land confess tremble when
he conviction presses upon mel that there
$ equal obstinasy on both sides Of this fear
ul question.
II, then, we persi { in war. which II il Ter
innate III any thing short of a mere wanton
waste ofhlood as well rs money. must end
as this bill proPosesJ in the acquisition of
10 which at once this controversy
must attach. this bill would seem to I've moth
ne less than bill to produce internal com
notion. Should we prosecute this war an
'ther moment, or expend one dollar in the
purchase or conquest of single acre OF Mex
can land, the North and the South are
brought into collision on point where uei-
her will yield. Who can foIe see or foreteIl
he result! Who so bold or reckless as to
Ook such conflict in the face unmovedl
10 not envy the heart of him who can realize
he possibility Of such conflict without E.
notions too painful TO be endured. Why.
hen, shall we, the Representatives Of the
overeign States of this Union the chosen
of tbs coDlederated Republic, why
hOuld we precipitate this fearful struggle, by
continuing war The result of which must |.
re 10 force us al once upon it! Sir,
lightly considered. this is treason, treason to
he Union, treason 10 the dearest interests,
he lofliest aspirations. the most cherished
I0pes of our constituents. 1t is crime 10
isk the possibility of such contest. 1T is a
rhine Of such Internal hue that every other in
he catalogue Of iniquity, when compared
With II, whIiens into virtue.
L n Ia