Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-21

as that Of Vera Cruz. If we take Vera
Cruz a garrison must be permanently kept at
that place-the most presidential spot on this
continent Garrisons must also be established
at different points on the road to Mexico, besides
attachments to convoy the provisions and muni-
tons of war; and all these men and this multi
tade of horses and mules are TO be fed with pro-
visions carried from this country to Vera Cruz,
ana thence, packed on mules, TO the city of Mex
leo, distance Of two hundred and seventy miles.
The daily consumption of such an army will be
more than that of the city of Baltimore Can we
raise the funds to meet this enormous expense?
doubt it. Can we place in Mexico an army of
fifty tl'usand effective men? Still more do
doubt that. The enthusiasm for volunteering
has had its last paroxysm. Nothing will cause
another, unless (which Heaven forbid y some
disaster bciall our armies, and then our people
will rush to the rescue. How long will our ar
mics have to endure the privations and tolls Of
such a service, and our people its cost II
we're TO venture prediction, would sooner say
ten years than any shorter period.
There are at least one hundred defles between
Vera Cruz and Mexico, where a hundred men
might maintain themselves against ten times their
number. The road between the two points over
comes an elevation of eight thousand five hun
dred feet Frequently, in ascending, the road is
cut through the mountain, the banks on each side
Lgher than the top Of the stage coach. What
havoc would not few pieces Of artillery make
IN these natural defes And the Mexica1s are
not bad ar,lllersts. They are proud and brave
people-not inexperienced IN war, aud now uni
ted TO fanaticism. Can it be, with such advanta-
ges, that our armies can ever arrive at Mexico,
but with immense sacrifices of human life ?
What, then, is to be done? Arc we to with.
draw our armes-to submit 10 The disgrace Of
failure, and to encourage Mexico in her iusolence
and violation Of the rights and usages { nations
! These are all questions which it is difficult to
answer. have always thought that it was our
pulley to avoid war with that country and that,
if forced into one, the chastlsenent which we
should inhlct should be signal such as would be
long remembered and am not ignorant OF the
evil consequences of stopping where we are
But it is a choice OF evils, and | think this the
least.
We have had three battles, and in each vic.
tory not surpassed in modern war We can af-
ford to be generous. 1t would be magnannous
TO forbear. If we prosecute the war otinvasion,
all that we can possibly gain by it is mere terri
tory. Is this desirable? Have we not already
moro vacant lands than we know what to do with,
and land Infinitely better than the conterminous
provinces of Mexico: more fertile, and, what is
of more consequence, with facilities OF transport
tation. The portion of Mexico which we pro-
pose TO conquer and retain, has no navi1able nv
er5, ana lis great elevation VIII always prevent
the construction of railroads. We shall get nc
public domain; for nearly all the land is already
granted; we shall not get the land alone, but the
population, and nine out of every ten OF them are
indians. VIII they be received as Indians ant
placed on the same footing as our own lndiar
tribes, or as citizens and allowed to vote and senc
Indian representatives to our Congress? Shal
the same privileges be extended 10 some or all o
our Indian tribes, who are more enlightened ant
vrtuous? If not, why not? But, behind al
; this, there hovers black and portentous cloud
which no patriot can look upon with ,ut dismay
If this country is annexed, upon what terms ant
conditions will it be annexed? Will the Nortl
consent that slavery shall exist in the new States
> thus acquired? Will the South consent TO re
strictlon on that point? forbear 10 do NOR,
than 10 allude 10 this question; all must see thu
difficulty which it will present. 1t is premature
TO discuss it here. 1t must be very many year
!, before Mexico will cede the country, if she eve
does, and still many more before a State can b.
organized But the question must come, soone
or later Is this miserable country worth tn
= sacrifice of blood and treasure which il will Co.'S
: and ,h, putting our Uuion itself in peril /?
uIay he asked whether slexlco viii make peac
y even If our troops are thus withdrawn beyon
the Rio Grande do not believe that she vii
n do now. But the war will cease at lie ST ms t.
active operations, and peace will be restored soon
- err than by continuing TO prosecute the war OF in
vasiOn.