Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-06-18

rise up at the bidding Of ambition and to The
more congcnial pursuits Of military employment,
and disturb the peace and harmony Of our coun-
luyl
These consequences may be remote, they may
be contingent, they may never happen; bat his
tory is replele with admonilons, aud mans in
frmlies are TOO many 10 allow US TO say that
these are idle speculaliOns, and that we have
nothing 10 fear.
This is not all; there is still deeper dread, to
which wecannot shut our eyes. We are told by
the authors and apologisls Of this war that we can
have peace upon the conditions alone that Mex-
co is TO pay our citizens what she owes them,
and is to indemnify us for the expenses Of the
warl How is this to be donel ID must be in one
Of two ways; either to pay US this large amount
in money or in ceding portion Of her territory
under treaty. One she may do, the other she
cannot. To pay US eighty or hundred millions
nf dollars or more, is immeasurably beyond her
ability. She may cede to us a portion of her
territory within prescribed limits, and thus pur.
chase peace. Will that sellle this vexed cues.
tionl No, no. The treaty that would give us
this territory would necessarily be brought before
the Senate for its final action. Would il not
call up that slumbering volcano-ihe question of
Slavery? As certainly as that the trearv would
be read. Can we, knowing The abiding feeling
that is in our country upon this fearful question,
and recoIecting the pedls through which we
passed in settling the Missouri question, dare we
approach it again without fear and tremblingl-
Butlhe treaty will bring it up, and it will have 10
be met for veal OF for wo.
Have we any right 10 expect from the state OF
parties in this country and in the Senate of The
United States, that any such treaty could obtain
the constitutional majority necessary to secure
its ratifcatonl We think not. What, then.
would be our situaiionl We would still have
our demands, but not indemnify. Would there
be more negotiation or more warl Would ci.
ther beuer our condition or satisfy our demandsl
Would the war have accomplished its ends!-
Would its resumption give us any alternative but
a renewed offer of territory or q surrender of oul
claims! There would still remain that impassi
bic barrier in the Senate. But should the treaty
be ratified, what lhenl Would that settle The
question, and allow us 10 repose in peace upor
our laurels and the pride that an empire has beer
added 10 our already boundless domainl Bey
ond this, and consequent upon it, is the DANCE
of the diSmem5erment of our Union; which IN
wolves every thing that is dear and sacred TO u
the gories ofthe past, the blessings Of the pre-
sent, and the hopes of the future.
In view of all the positive evils that have beef
brought upon us by this war, and in due regar,
TO the dangers that may follow, may We not ask
are The objects that provoked il and the scheme
il is to consummate worthy Of the blood that ha
been shedl Would subjugaled Mexico, will
one Of our hands in her mines and another upol
the sacred emblems and treasures of her church
pay for the violated blessings Of peace and the
inscrulable dangers Of warl Could we push ou
victorious arms (to conquer peace, as has beer
Significantly hnted by high Democratic authori
ty,) to the conquest of all Mexco-add 5000,
600 TO our population and 100000 square
miles Of terrtory-could we take our stand OF
the summit Of de Teluca and contemplate a arg
er empire than belongs to any nation on earth
could we make the halls Of the Manlezumas lht
hall Of our Republic; could we merge the Azt
race in the Ango-Saxon; could we exlinguisI
The lights that burn Oh every Catholic ALTAR il
Mexico and give the teachings Of our Prolesan
faith 10 her united worshippers, would that pa,
for such peace, or give glory 10 our name!-
This may be the last act in this bloody drama
should This be the decree ofthose who commenc
ed this war and such the spirit Of conquest, it vii
be the grave OF our Republic.
These remarks are made in no factious spirit
they are, to great extent, already part Of his
tory, and as such they deserve 10 be treated b.
the country.
Mr.. Folks intimate connexion with the orgi
and progress Of this war, through all its phases
brings him before The bar Of his country unde
the weight Of a mighty accountability. Heav,
is his responsibility for restoring Santa Anna Il
Mexico in the hour of her greatest need, and Il
The infinite prejudice of our country.