Democratic banner., 1847-05-24
THE PEACE.

reckless of results, and blind 10 consequent
ces: the conquered, dcadcncd by defeat
sink into mlody supinrness; or if stung IN
Ito resistance, barter their freedom, freely,
for revenge. To guard, then, against the
evil effects which might result from our
success, becomes no less our duty 10 our
selves, than to shield the conquered from
able disaster.
In times of excitement, however, like
the present, we do not anticipate thai cool
Judgment, and correct decision, which
would be awarded under circumstances,
that admit Of a closer and more mature ill.,
vestigation. When the ~Grmition of unparaI-
leled success, has made captive the reason,
and the passions have taken The rcins I'M
der their own guidance, we must endearor
to restrain, rather than, resist, and carefully,
give such direction to the wild cOurscrs of
ambition, that their strength may have
not peer spent in vain. The insignia Of
general blessings, should cover, if not eff
face, the impressions, stamped by the wheels
of ambitions car; and general rcjoicings,
suPersede the wall of private calamity.
Man is in many instances the creature of
circumstances The wise fprtsrc those
circumstances and direct them: the unwary
become their victims. Attention is craved
to this fact, for it is fact worthy Of attcn
Ition. Our present situation, our circum-
stances, our success, may drire us i'll flu
ture, should we fail to direct them
Passions, prejudice, the high toned feel
ings of a brave race, urge It's onward
with resistless ~impetuosity, to emblazvn the
splendor Of national glory; let us, then, ex-
anime the badges of a nations distinctions,
and choose that which is most enduring
1t is wise to look backward as well as for
ward, for the future can best be Judged of
by the past: and with the lights of history
in our hands, though we may err, We shall
come nearer 10 a correct decision, than by
the mere dictates of our own desires. We
shall have employed proper means to prop
er ends. If we fail it will be no wrong but
an error, and there is in the history of the
human race nothing that denotes infallibili-
Ity. Administrations are but men. If they
fail in acting for the best interests of the
country, We, as Americans should place
the most liberal construction on their intcn
tioms, and grant, at least, that men, sworn
TO act to the best of their knowledge for
the good of the country, nave done SO.
There is 10 better rule, to form a correct
Judgment OH the motives and intentions of
others, than 10 examine their actions
There you may investigate in detail. Ac,
ton is thought maturcd. With this rule of
construction, then, what do we find in the
most scrutmizing examination of the &C
tons of the Administration, that can place
to their charge, effectually, aught that vii
initiate successfully against their patriot.
ism and purity of motive. 1t will not be
pretended that there can be anything oil
that character. With what then are they
charged? With acting injudiciously? How
is it shown? We had money due 10 us
from Mexico. She refused payment
Treated US, through our minister, with con,
tempt Threatened us with insulting Ian.
guage. To repel this insult: rctort the con,
tempt, and compel payment, an army was
ordered to the frontier. War followed
We have before discussed the propriety OF
the war, together with its causes, shelving
satisfactorily (as we believe. for it remains
u~nanswered) the causes of the war, and
therefore, shall not advert to it now, but re-
fer to the best means of reimbursement fol-
the debts then due, and the expenditures
incurred since on account of that debt
What, then. are the best means of reim-
bursement for this debt and expenccs OF
the war. Mexico has no means, with ono
exception, of immediate payment. She la:
unoccupied lands, useless at present to her.
and which could be made available means
to us. She has settled territory that could
be mortgaged riivum radIum to repay us
She has mines that could be transferred I'M.