Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-12-31
Affairs witb Alexito.
PEAgE WITH MEAIC0.
By ALBERT GALLATIN.
/. The Lar Of Nations.

/. The Lar Of Nations.
IT seems certain that Mexico must Ultimately
submit to such terms Of peace as the Uni,cd
States shall dictate. \ heterogeneous popula.
lion Of seven millions, with very limited rcsuur-
ces and no credit distracted by internal disscn.
lions and by the ambition Of us chiefs; a prey
by turns 10 anarchy and 10 military usurpers;
occupying among the nations Of he civilized
world, either physically or mentally; whether
in political education, social state, or any other
respect, but an Inferior position, cannot contend
successfully with an energetic, intelligent, en-
iightencd, and united nation Of twenty millions,
possessed Of unlimited resources aud credit
aud enjoying all The benefits Of regular, strong
and free Government. All this was anticipates
but the extraordinary successes Of the Amori-
cans have exceeded The mos! sanguinc cypccll.
lions. All the advanced posts Of The enemy
/ New Mexico. California, the line Of the lower
Rio Norte, aud all the seapors which it was
deemed necessary 10 occupy have been suJJu-
ed. Aud small force, apparently Incompetent
10 the object, has penetrated near three hundred
miles inlo The interior, aud Is now IA quiet pos
session of The llr-lamcd metropolis Oi ,hU MgXi-
can dominions. The superior skill aud talents
/ Of our distinguished generals and the unpaaIie-
J led bravery Of our troops have surmounlcd all
obstacles. BY whomsoycr commanded on ei-
lhar side, however strong the positions and for
/ tihcations Of the Mexicans, and with u lrcmca-
dous numerical superiority, there has not been
a single engagement in which lhcy have not
been completely defeated. The most remarku-
bic and unexpected feature Of hat warfare IS,
tha, volunteers, wholly undisclplined in every
sense of the word, have We'd in deyotedncss and
bravery with the regular forces, aud have pro.
| we'd themselves in every instance superlDriu the
/ open field 10 the best regular forces Of Mexico
These forces are now aunihaled and dispersed
and the MeXicaus are reduced to a puuy war
fare Of gucrrillas. which, however annoying
cannot bu productive Of any important results.
1t is true THAI these splendid successes have
been purchased al price far exceeding thei
YaIuc. Ills true that neither the glory Of these
military Deeds nor the ultimate utility OF oul
conquesls, can compensate the lamenIabe loss
of the many thousand valuable lives sacrificed
in the field, or The sill greater number who have
met with an obscure death, or been disabled by
disease and fatigue. 1t IS true that their reld-
tves, their parents, their wives and children, find
no consolation for the misery ntllcl , upon them
in the still greater losses experienced by the
Mexicans. But if, disregardng private caIami-
ties and all the evils Of Il general nature, The ne
cessary consequences OF this war, We reverI
solely 10 the relative position of the two coun-
tries, the impotence Of The McXirans and their
total inability 10 continue the war; with any ap-
pearanEe of success, are still manifest.
\ hgt tht4
terms which the United States have a right 10
impose on Mexico! All agree that it must be
an honorable peace;" but the true meaning OF
this word must in the first place be ascerlained.
The notion that any thing can be truly hon
urable which is contrary 10 justice, will, as an
abstract proposition, be repudiated by every cit
zen of the United Safes. VIII any one dare 10
assert that peace can be honorable which does
not conform with justice!
There is no difficulty in discovering the prn-
cipIes by which relations between civilized and
Christian nations should be regulated, and the
reciprocal duties which they owe 10 each other.
These principles, these duties have long since
been proclaimed; and the true law Of nations is
nothing else than the conformity TO The sublime
preccpls of the Gospel morality; precepts equal
y applicable 10 the relations between man and
man, and 10 the intercourse between nation and
nation. Thou shalt love thy nejghbor as thy
self" Love your enemies" "As you would
that men should do 10 you, DO yo also 10 Them
likewise" The sanctily OF these commands
is acknow edged, without single exception, by
every denomination Of Christians, or OF men pro-
tossing 10 be such. The skeptical philosopher
admits and admires the precept. 10 this holy
rule we should inhexiby adhere when dictallng
the terms of peace. The United States, though
they have rhe power, have no right 10 impose
terms Inconsistent with justice. 1t would be
shameful derelcton Of principle, on the part OF
those who were averse 10 the annexation oil
Texas, TO countcnance any attempt to claim an
acquisition of territory, or Other advantage, on
account Of the success of our arms.
But in Judging the acts OF our Government, 1t
must be admitted that statesmen think a contor-
amitv 10 these usages which constitute the law of
nations. not as il should be, but as it is praccli-
callv, sufficient 10 Justify their conduct. And
bv that inferior standard those acts and our du-
lies in relation to Mexico will be tested.
I[.-IndemaitieS to Citizens Of the U. States.
The United States had, and continue to have,
an indubilabIe right to demand full indemnify
for any wrongs inflicted on our clizens by the
Government of Mexico, in violation Of treaties
or of the acknowledged laws of nations. The
negotiations lor satisfying those just demands
had been interrupted by the annexation of Tex
as. When an attempt was subsequently made
10 renew them, it was therefore just and proper
that both subjects should be discussed at'he same
time and it is now absolutely necessary that
those just claims should be fully provided for IN
any treaty of peace that may be concluded, and
that the payment should be secured against any
possible contingency. | take it for granted that
no claims have been or shall be sustained by oul
Government but such as are founded on treaties
or The acknowledged law Of nations.