Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-01-29

pity OF Labor, Is produced by its presence
and false and r~ecreant to his race and TO his
constituency, would be any representative of
free white men and women, who should, by
his vote, place free white labor upon a condi-
ton Of social equality with the labor of the
black slave equally false would he be, who.
upon any pretence, should by i%naction and
evasion of the question produce the same de-
grading result. The measure which | had
the honor TO propose, presented this subject
to the House. | cannot, and of course do
not claim any originality in the principles Of
the bill. one feature OF which comes from the
earnest recommendation Of the President in
his Special Message 10 Congress of the last
session: the other from the motion Of my
friend from Pennsylvania, (Nlr. Wilmot.)
and the adoption Of his proposition by the
House when the bill was considered and
passed. The bill is again. in the annual
Message of the President, at the opening of
tie present session, strongly recommended to
the favorable attention of Congress. The
history of the measure is known to the House
and the country. 1t passed the House Of
Representatives at the last session. late on
the Saturday night next preceding Monday,
the 10th of August, on which day Congress
had decided to adjourn at II o'clock at noon.
Many other important bills were still pend
ing In the Senate, to be decided in the fore
noon of Monday, and this bill. taken M in
the last hour Of the session of the Senate, did
not receive the fual action of a vote upon its
passage, but was lost by not having been vu-
ted upon, and without the decision of the
Senate. This measure, in a time of war, is
recommended by the President, and should
be acted on by Congress as a peace meas
ure; and is evidence to the country and to
the world. that, however vigorously it NAV
be deemed just and proper to prosecute the
war, while war, or cause of wal, exists, still
the desire for honorable peace is a sentiment
strong as ever with our Government; and
this measure, recommended by the President,
Is evidence that no intention exists in neuoti-
ating a peace TO demand terms other than
such as are honorable both to this country
and to Mexico. OF the causes Of the war, or
the manner in which it commenced, it would
scarcely BE- proper for me now to speak, even
if it We're at all. These topics have been
discussed at very consid erable lengtlr by
those much more able TO elucidate them than
! am. | am one Of those who believe that a
war with Mexico was inevitable, after the
annexation Of Texas, upon the terms selected
by President Tyler, should be consummated
whether the alternative mode presented by
Congress, or any other mode or terms would
have avoided war, 1t is low, perhaps, useless
TO inquire. The annexation of Teas to the
United States was believed to be desired by
the people OF both countries, and Texas was
annexed. The right Of annexation, by two
independent nations cannot be questioned
To obtain possession of Tamaulipas and
chihuahua, between the Nueces and the Rio
Grande, where the MeXicanS held d~isputet
possession, and to get Santa Fe, where the
Mexican authorities and people held undis
puted possession, the use of force was nee
essary. The use OF force between nations tC
decide a disagreement between them, is war,
The use of force and of military power wa
necessary, | repeat, 10 eXpel the Mexican an
thorities from all these provinces claimed b,
Texas, unless Mexico should cede them b,
negotiation. But Mexico not only refused
to abandon Tamaulipas and chihuahua, be
tween the Nueces and the Rio Grande, ant
Santa Fe, on the north of Texas, but sh
even asserted a claim upon Texas itself, art
declared that the annexation of Texas 10 tn
United States would be regarded by her a
an act Of war on the part of the Unitel
States against Mexico. When measures 70
the annexation of Texas were adopted by on
Government, Mexico withdrew her ministe
from Washington, refused to renew negotia
tlons, and prepared to wage war. In the val
ley OF the Rio Grande, on the Texan side L
that river, the armies of the two nations net
hostlIities commenced, and actual war wa
waged. There can be no doubt of what i
the duty of every good citizen of the Unite,
States in a State of war. The enemies of hi
country should be his enemies-hcr friend
his friends. A cordial support and vigorou
prosecution of the war should be s%uslaine
NEhIIn tho N-nr l,Ee. FRL-...- I--Il 4 49,
minated whenever an honorable peace can b
obtained, and not before. The bill which
proposed and still propose to introduce, look
to such a termination of the war, while il
first feature-the two million appropriations
more clearly discloses what it would be i
vain to deny, or attempt to conceal, that tn
acquisition of territory, at least of the Cal
tornlis and New Mexico, as an inducemer
Tor the war, as well as for previous wrong
aud injuries against our government and eli
liens, will be insisted upon by the govern
ment of the United States, but upon term
liberal and honorable to Mexico. 1t contain
also a principle in the provision, proposed b
my friend from Pennsylvania, more impoI
tant than the war itself. A principle wit
which Mexico, in arranging her terms q
peace, has nothing to do, and with which
do not understand that il Is proposed hy any
body she should have any thing to do. 1t i
no subject OF treaty stipulation, unless tn
t~reaty-making powers OF the two Govern
menls shall, Of their own free will, choose I
make it so. 1t is a question purely our own
and pertaining exclusively to the Unite,
States. This principle excludes slavery from
any territory which may hereafter be adde,
to this country. This principle ! deem t
be of vital importance, and should be yer,
much gralifed if 1t could receive the unani
nous assent and appreciation of Congress-
This, however, do not expect. The sam
interests which pertinaciously insisted upol
extending slavery over Texas, still desires,
apprehend, its farther extension. This shoulC
not be so. For the existence Of slavery il
the United States the Government of the Re