Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-10-15
VERMONT PHOENIX.
BrattlebOrO, Friday, Oct. IL, lS41'
@No More Territory" VS.. "No More
Slave Territory"


that conflicting opinions on this subject would
bring into il dissension and strife. A portion Of
the Wing press, pcrtciving that the Wilmo' FRO
viso, prohibiting slavery in any territory to be
acquired hereafter, could not be supported by
me Southern Wings, recommended policy
which would save any discussion or controversy
upon That question. They advised the Wings
TO adopt as a party principle, " No More Tern
tory"-which, if carried into effect, would Of
course include the minor proposition Of "No
More Slave Territory"
Another portion Of the press denounced this
course as a cowarlly evasion Of the question Of
Slavery, and one that could not be maintained.
To reconcile these differences, il was propos-
ed that "No More Territory" should be thrown
forward as the first lne-of battle, while No More
Stare Territory" should be held in reserve, as a
"dernier resort" This compromise, judging from
the resolutions passed was carried into effect
The resolutions arc drawn with unusual ability
and strength, and portion Of them will be found
in another column.
We shall be glad to see peace with Mexico
without ACKNOWLEDGMENT" and do not want any
additional Mexican territory. This, as an alb
stract proposition, we heartily approve but is it
practicable to inscribe il now upon the stan
dard Of the Republic p Mexico is indebted to
us--that she admits-and our citizens have large
claims for injuries wan,only inflicted upon our
merchants, upon her own soil, and under her
own flag For years, our citizens had been sub
jected to constant insult and robbery, and fire.
quent imprisonment, by the subjects and often
by the authorities Of Mexico. The complaints
Of our Government were UNDECIDED or evaded,
and upon one pretence or another, our just de-
mands for redress were delayed or refused.
Ii IS true, these claims have been the subjects
Of negotiation and arbitrument Il is true an
award has been ade as to part, and the terms
Of liquidation iis ID by treaty but il is also true
that some of the stipulated payments have been
withheld, and that large amount Of claims are
still unsettled, and the acknowledgment Of them
has been shuiIied of upon dishonorablc and tn
fling pretcxts.
IL is also true, that the advance Of cur army
beyond the Nueces, and the military invasion of
the Mexican settlements on the Rio Grande,
was the frst aggressive act of war, and was prop
erly 50 regarded by Mexieo--but she had no
right to complain. She proiessed to regard the
annexation Of Texas as an act Of hostility to her.
and If her clustering man;iestoes were to be be-
ieved, she was preparing to invade il, and take
II from us by force-though she knew Texas had
existed as an independent State for years, 30
acknowledged by the United States, and acqui-
esced in by herself SO far, then, as Mexico is
herself concerned, we hold that there was not
wanting provosl.sson aud technical justification
for war but We complain, and the people Of
this Union have right to complain
LIST That all our claims might eventually have
been adjusted amically; that negotiations were
then pending for that purpose, and propositions
for arbitrament were then under consideration.
Notwithstanding her delays aud evasioHs, Mex
leo had been brought to recognize and liquidate
a part OF our claims, and the balance might have
been obtained in the same manner. Similar de-
lays and evasions had been praeiiced by other
Governments towards US, without leading to war
Our statesmen thought il more wise to remon-
straie, and appeal to the reason and justice of
those who had injured us, and they always sue
eeeded by these means in obtaining redress.
I'd. The threats and bravado of Mexico in
reference TO Texas, were empty and harmless,
and known to be so. Her political organization
was so unstable, and subject to 70 frequent rev.
olutions, that she could scarcely be said to have
form OF government, and there was therefore
no danger that her threats would be carried into
execution
Neither OF these causes imposed upon US
necessity to make war, neither were they the
true causes of the war-they only served as pre-
texts. We had nothing to gain by the war, at
all commensurate with the sacrifice Of blood and
treasure It must cost us, and we arc Furnishing
ourselves by it, much more than Mexico. The
war was forced upon us by Mr. Polk, without the
sanction Of Congress, and doubtless for the pur-
pose Of extending the market for slaves. Con-
gress has, however, sanctioned the war, and after
expending millions Of treasure and rivers of
blood" we have military possession of great
portion of the territory Of Mexico without being
apparently any nearer to peace than when war
commenced.
Our claims arc still unsatisfed-how shall they
be satisfied or disposed Of? Shall we abandon
our claims for the sake Of peace, and thus ack-
nowledge before the world that they were un-
founded, and that the conduct of Mexico has
been honest and just? This would not be truth,
nor would it meet with public approval. Our
citizens have just claims upon Mexico which
must BIO satisfied, and We are not disposed to
cancel the debt because the Administration has
rashly plunged us into war on account of it
Peace, though distant, perhaps will come at
last, and these claims must be adjusted. 1t is
not improbable that Mexico, unable otherwise
to pay us, may offer US territory Shall we re-
fuse itP We have long desired port on the
Pacific. Shall we reject Il, il offered by Mex
leo, because of the inscription of mo More Ter
ritory" upon our standard" Is It not unwise
to commit ourselves in advance upon a question
we cannot see the bearing Of, nor the circum.
stances under which il may be presented p
Peace may be made with Mexico to-day, en-
braeing in its provisions the cession of territory.
We cannot anticipate how, Or in what manner,
or upon what consideration, such eession may no