Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-03

cuiion Of the present war, as being actuated by
q spirit Of rapacity, and an inordinate desire ior
territorial aggrandizcmcnt. Let US not ioriei,
Altogether their good opinions. Let us
their applause by n noble exercise OF forDear-
ancc and Justice. In the elevated station which
We hold, we can safely afford to practice ue
Cod-like virtues of moderation and magnanm-
ity. The long series Of glorious triumphs' mat
tended by a single reverse, justify MS, without
the least danger OF furnishing the national honor,
In disintcrcstedly holding out the olive branch OF
peace.
We do not want the mines, the mountains, the
morasscs, and the sterile lands Of Mexico. 10
her the loss Of them would be humillating, and
be q perpetual 10 irce of regret aud mortiica-
ton. To rs they might prove a fatal ac.q"i~hos'
producing distraction, dissension, division, posi-.
bly, disunion. Let, therefore, the INTEGRITY Oh
the national existence and national territory oil
Mexico remain unditurbed. For one, l desire
TO sec no part Of her territory torn from her by
war. Some Of our people have placed their
hearts upon the acquisition OF the Bay OF San
Francisco, in Upper California. 10 US, as a
great maritime Power, il might prove to be OF
advantage hereafter, in respect to our comnle
cial and navigating interests To Mexico, which
can never be n great maritime Power, il cannot
be Of much advantage. If We can obtain i by
fair purchase with a just equivalent, | should be
happy to sec it so acquired. As, whenever the
war ceases, Mexico ought 10 be required to pay
the debts due our citizens, perhaps an cquiva-
lent for that Bay may bc found IN that debt, our
Government assuming 10 pay to our citizens
whatever portion Of L may be applied to TINT
object But il should form no motive in the
prosecution of the war, which | would not con
tinue a solitary hour for the sake Of that harbor.
But, il will be- asked, shall We make peace
without any indemnify for the expenses OF the
war? Ii the published documents in relation to
the late negotiations between Mr. Trist and the
Mexican Commissioners be true, aud ] have not
seen them any where contradicted, the Execu-
tive properly waived any demand Of indemnity
for the expenses OF the war. And the rupture
Of that negotiation was produced by our Govern
ment insisting upon a cession from Mexico, Of
the strip Of mostly barren land between the Nue.
ces and the Rio Bravo and New Mexico, which
Mexico refused to make. So that VIC are noH
fighting, if not for the conquest Of all Mexico, as
minated in some quarters, for that narrow strip
and for the barren province Of New Mexico, with
its few miserable mines. We bought all the pro-
vince of Louisiana for fifteen millions Of dollars,
and il is, in my opinion, worth more than all
Mexico together. We bought Florida at Eve
millions Of dollars, and a hard bargain It was,
since, besides that sum, we gave up the bound
airy of the Rio Bravo, to which ! think VIC were
entitled, rs The western limit Of the province OF
Louisiana, and were restricted to that Of the Sa-
bine. And VIC are now, If not seeking the con
quest Of all Mexico, TO continue this war indef-
nitely for the inconsidcrable objects 10 which ]
have just referred.
But, Il will be repeated, are we TO have no IN
dcmnity for the expenses Of the WARP Mexico
Is utterly unable TO make US any pecuninry in
demnity, IL the justice Of the war on our part
entitled us to demand it Her country has been
laid waste, her eitics burned or occupied by our
troops, her means 70 exhausted that she i una
bic to pay even her own armies. And every
days prosecution Of the war, whilst il would aug
ment the amount Of our indemnity, would lessen
the ability Of Mexico to pay it. We have seen,
however, that there is another form in which we
are to demand indemnity. 1t Is To be territorial
indemnity L hope, for reasons already stated,
that this firebrand will not be brought into our
country.
Among the resolutions, which il is my inten-
ton to present for your consideration at the con-
clusion Of this address, one proposes, in your be-
haii and mine, to disayow, in the most positive
manner, any desire, on our part, TO acquire any
foreign territory whatever, for the purpose OF
introducing slavery into il. / DO not know that
any citizen Of the United States cntertains such
n wish. But such a motive has often been ini-
z R"i nses 10 si,s s 10 $3.50. SO; o. md Al | ,ssssisss 'Ai %s
opinions on the subjectof slavery ART well known.
They have the merit, If il be one, Of consistency,
uniformity, and long duration. ] have ever ne
gardcd slavery AS a great evil. a wrong; for the
present, fear, an irrcmcdiable wrong to its un-
fortunate victims | should rejoice il not a sin.
gle slave breaihed the air or was within the lin
It's OF our country. But here they are, TO be
dealt with rs well as we can with a due consid-
Grafton Of all circumstances affecting the securi-
a. aaNaNE and aW. a L.4I H.
state has the supreme, uncontrolled and exclu-
sise power to decide for itself whether slavery
shall cease to continue within its limits, without
any exterior Intervention from any quarter.
In States, where the slaves outnumler the
whites, n is the case with several, the blacks
could not be cmanciIated and invested with all
the rights aud privileges OF freemcn, without be-
coming the governing race in those States. Col
lrions and conflicts between the two races would
be inevitable, and, after shocking scenes of .ra-
pine and carnage, the extinction or expulsion
OF the blacks would certainly take place. In
me state OF Kentucky, near fifty years ago, l
thought the proportion of slaves, in comparison
WITH the whites, was so inconsidcrablc that we
might safely adopt a system of gradual emanci-
patton that would ultimately eradicate This evil
in our State. That system was totally d;aeren,
from the immediate abolition of slavery, for which
the party of the Abolitionists al the present day
contend. whether they have intended or NOT.
It is my calm and deliberate belief, that they
have done incalculahle mischief even 10 Tho
very cause which they espoused, to saw notbino
of the discord which has been produced betwceS
different parts of the Union. According TO he
system we attempted, near the close of the lass
century, all slaves in being were TO remain such,
but all who might be born subsequent 10 a sne,
Gifted day, were to become free at The ace of
twenty-eight, and during their service were To
be taught to read, write and cypher. Thus. in.
stead of being thrown upon the Community. TO-
norant and unprcpared, as would be the ease by
immediate emancipation, they would have en-
tered upon the possession of their freedom. en-
pablo, in some degree, of enjoying Il. Aftcr a
hard struggle, the system was defeated. and I
regret it extremely, as, il it had been then
adopted, our State would now be nearly rid Of
that roproach.
Since that epoch, a scheme of unm;xod hc.
ne'olence has sprung up, which, if Il had ex-
isted at that time, would have obyiated ono Of
the greatest objections which was made 10 Grad.
ud emancipation, which was, the continuancc of
the emancipated slave TO abide among ms, THAT
scheme is the American Colonization Soc;o,v
About twcnty-eight years ago, a few i~ndiy;duais
myself among them, met together in the ci,v 81
Washington, and laid the foundation Of that So
clcty. Ii has uonn on amil aVt....at ~