The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-03-30

Lay il to any body, lay it to every body, rath-
er than to the tented old WARRIOR but for
whose display OF prudence aud valOr which
has commanded the applause and admiration
Of all intelligent and Just men, the military
arm of your Government would have been
stricken down in dishonor. This charge comes
too late Ii comes with a bad grace, & flom
worse heart. The motive that instigale il.
is too papabe 10 deceive or TO mislead the
public mind. 1t will not answer even the
poor purpose Of opening the way for the ap-
pointInent of that nOndescript officer, half
civil and half military, Whom you would dig
nifty by the title OF lieutenant general. In one
point of view. however, this effort OH the part
of the Administrations and some off: friends,
TO dsparagc the conduct and services ofGen-
eral Taylor, is not 10 ne regretted. While il
can harm no hair of his head, il discloses
consciousness OIL their part, that the popular
condemnation rests upon this Mexican war
upon its origin, its mode Of conduct, It's osien-
sible objects. and upon its guilty authors
Hence this effort, manifesly. in order to
shield themselves from the full weight Of its
fearful responsibilities, and To relieve them
selves, thus far forth. from the full measure
of that still more fearful rctrlbuIou which a.
waits them.
But my lime will not allow me, Mr. Chair
man, TO dwell longer upon these collateral
points. have said thai this was a war OF
INVASION and waged with view To the con
quest and permanent acquisition oil territory
And let me remark IN passing, that, nOtwiIh
standing all that has been SAID about securing
indemnity for our citizens whO have claims
against Mexico, this has no more connection
with the origin the war, or with the lead
| e. II -
i MahomeIan pilgrimage TO Mecca And all
the Presidents repeated expressions of sym
palhy in behalf of our long suffering and
much injured fellow citizens whose claims
Tor Mexican spoilations remain unpaid, are
= in strange contrast with his reputation oil
the larger, and older. and equally just claims
Of more numerous class of other of '0ur
long suffering and much injured fellow Cit
zcns,' for unsatis6ed French spoilations. lie
would go to war for the one. and veto the
other But have no Time to spare TO the
examination of the history and character OF
these Mexicans spoilaiions. The suggestion
that they had any connection with the origin
of this war is IN after thought, mere subier
, fuge, as pi,iful as it is destitute of foundation
in truth. Ii YOU bad said that the wrongs anc
injuries which Mexico had committed agains
us afforded an ample aud justifable cause o.
war, aud that we waged war against her OF
y that aecoui, there would be. at least som,
show of consistency IN the declaration. Eu
all your allegations are. that Mexico com
menced the war against US; and il is some
what difficult to see how her own former az
u sressiOns upon our rights should be the caus
of her making war against us Perhaps gen
u rlcmen can explain Yet the recital Of Mex
" lean wrongs against The United States cen
stiiutes the great bUuhen of the Executive
= message in defence of the war; n messag
which more Than ten times repeats with suit
able variations. that Mexico begun the war
message more remarkable, than for an
y thing else, for its distortion and suppression
of historical truth. and which is best charac
lerized rs the weak defence ola bad cause b,
Il political pettifosger.
ltwas an easy matter, Mr.. Chairman, fo
folly or mad ambition 10 plunge us into
war; but, apprchend. 1t will require the ex
ercise Of all the wisdom aud Of all the pairi
!, oiism Of the country 10 extricafe US from it
" Gentlemen on the opposite side OF tho House
profess to be most anxious for the return O
II peace, and talk loudly and patriorically abou
an honorable peace but fail to tell US, will
!, my degree of precision. what they mean b,
an honorable peace These words roll GU
smoothly aud nippnnIly from Tho tongue, al
though they hand some meaning IN them
; An honorable peace is " hat we all desire
No one wants less. But desire 10 know
what you mean by an honorable peace, =
=" How. and where. an1 upon what condition
= must peace be obtained, To be 'hunorable' il
your estimation How many acres Of Ian,
from Mexico would satisfy YOUR high notion
, Of honor upon the subjrcf of The restoration
y fpeace to our country! How many more
millions of the peoples money must be ex
pended How much more OF the people.
blood must he she'll How many more hu
= man sacrifices are necessary to satisfy tb,
point Of honor upon the question of peace
I How many more Ringgolds and WaisOns anc
Hamers must be stricken down by the swOrt
and the pesrilence How many more house
" holds must be made desolafe by sad ridns
from ATARI How much longer and louGe
u must the voice of waiing and Of wo be hear,
: though our land, in order to coDsecTaie AT
honorable peace!' Sir, il we cannot secur,
peace with Mexico upon terms which yOu
Z would esteem honorable short of SURRENDER
Z to us of a large portion of her territory, fca
J that day Of hope is yet far distant in the fu
ture. And SO long as the spirit of conques
shall rule the councils of those who hold il
their hands The Issues of peace and war; Sc
long as they shall hold to the purpose of dis
Numbering Mexico of her provinces. wheih
{ er as an object or an incident Of the war j.
immaterial. what hope have we Of the proffer
Of peace 10 her, which shall not embrace the
j condition ola surrender OF her territories
Or ifthat demand be not made directly and
y in terms. the same thing in effect is done by
4 demanding indemnify for the expenses Of the
Il war, when we know that she has not the
! means or ability, ifshe had the disposition
10 comply with such requirement, except
c by the cessIon Of territory.
Now, have 10 hesitation IN saying thai
Mexico would stand justified before the civil
LIKED world in declining. at any hazard, Ic
accede to such demand. Ii would be un-
just, and therefore not honorable on our
!; part, 10 make this exaction as The price Of
peace with her. II those who, for The lime
being, unhappily WELD the desinies of this
Republic, are ardently and honestly DESTROYS
OF restoring TO it speedy and an honorable
peace, they will prefer terms such as shall
? he Just and liberal 10 Mexico-surh as. &C