Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-11-10

that their interests are at stake for The de-
fence of the country,
L So long as our fellow.ciizens shall
sanction our present policy, all our wars
must be conducted in similar manner.
We never can be, we never ought to be
prepared for wer. Our people want neiIh-
er large armies nor fleets, excep, when
their rights as people are assalled-lhe'r
soil invaded-or their countrymen slaugh.
tered by foreign foe-and in all cases Of
sudden invasion. the constitution has wise.
Iy vested in the Chief Magistrate the
power 10 prevent aggression, and even 10
asser. our right. Let US see, then, how
this war has been conducted. With all
The difficulties incident to campaigns in AN
unsettled and hostile country, with buI
handfulof regular soldiers and the prepar-
alions TO he made for equippins and sup.
porting, and qualifying for service large
volunteer force, we have in less than
eighteen months advanced 10 The capital OF
McXco-we have taken several OF her
most important ciles-we have conquered
nearly two thirds Of her territory.
The manner in which The war has been
conducted is only fairly to be judged by
The results which have taken place since
lis commencement and which may yet
take place; and therefore whatever may
he said respecting mistakes that have beeu
mado, let US look at the results, and we
will find that all those who have been
most Immediately connected with it are
entitled 10 The highest applause; aud justice
cannot be fairly meted out until it shall be
brought TO close, and all the circunstan-
ces surrounding the principal actors shall
be made known; and that it should he
brough; TO a termination, is my ardent de-
sire. What more can we desire! We
have repeiled invasiou-we have achieved
victory-lhe laurels have all been gathered
they have all been gathered by our brave
counlrymen-bul The sleauings Of the crop
now remaiu-al else is ours aud our coun-
lry's forever! would, therefore, again
say, let US have peace. The majesty OF
iustice-our national honor-the right of
our citizens, have been vindicated-lel US
then have peace. But how shall this
peace be secured? Is there man in the
country who is willing 10 inllct upon The
people of Mexico more of suffering than
they have already endured! do not think
there is one. Our only wish is 10 obtain
from them guarantee that we will not be
insulted hereafter, and that our rights be
respected. But we must have security :?
We look to the government Of Mexico
alone. We ask only their solemn pledge
that wc shall not hereafter be wronged
with impuuity,
How, lhen,has this war been conducted! !!
Al every step Of its progress, we have in
formed the government of Mexico that
we were willing and anxious for peace
for The acknowledgment Of wrong on her
part, and promise 10 wrong US no more.
Even al the gates Of her capital, our gene
raj in command yields 10 the impulse Of
pcacc. When he might have entered as
conqueror, with banners waving and
drums healing, amid The loud howls of The
"dogs Of war" he halls, and in the spirit
Of a negotialor, tells the foe, "We Uish for
Peace will yor cease 10 infict injury
upon us? We merely wish you TO deal
sjus.ly towards US, and then we can be
friends, then youlwiIl- find US nase-Eeally
10 defend your altars and fresides than we
have ever been 10 inAict punishment aud
suffering upon YOU" 1t is to hoped that
there will now be peace; and that the result
will prove beneficial 10 lhe interest, and
accord with lhe highest sense of honor, OF
the Mexican nation. There are surely none
who wish even for peace, at the sacrifice
of the highest interests and the honor oil
The United States. This is my belief, and
! hope that such will not be The end of the
Mexican War.
There is another question before the peo-
pie Of great moment, and which excites
a great deal Of attention, that is Intimately
connected with this war. If, upon The
conclusion Of a treaty with Mexico, we
should come into possession of her territory
what are we to do with it? This is
question of difficult solution. OF one
thing we are quite certain-tbo Yankees
will in time overrun that portion Of their
territory; though there is much, Mexican
blood upon ii, we may look TO the period
as moi more remote than single life
time, when a number OF large States,
stretching from The Gull of Mexico TO he
Pacific ocean, will be distinguished in the
constellation Of our Union. The question
to which refer, anticipates the acquisition
of this territory. 1t is known as the
Wilmot proviso. And what is the mean
ing of this question? A portion of the
people Of the United States have their
hearts set against the extension ofslavery;
and there are scarcely any means which
some do not deem juslifiable, in order 10
accomplish their purpose. With a large
number, this suhjecl is no doubt matter
Of conscience and Of principle and they
assumed that certain portion of territory
is to be derived from Mexico. as an in
demniIy for The wrongs done TO US, and
our expenses in the war. There people
say, that if we take this territory, it will
come through the toll and blood o! the
country in common-that Of the North
and the South and we are not disposed
10 saw that this territory shall be appropri-