Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-11-30

ION OF the African race IN the IItca
States, even in state OF slavery, IS lar
better than it would have been ii their an
cestors had never been brought from their
native land And If it should be the de-
cree of the Great Ruler OF the Universe
tina. their defendants shall be made instru-
ments in his hands in the establishment:
of Civilization and the Christian Religion
throughout Africa, our regrets, on account
of the original wrong, will be greatly niti-
gated.
tmay be argued that, in admitting the
injustice of slavery, admit the necessity
of an instantaneous reparatlon OF that IN
Justice Unfortunately, however, it IS not
always safe, practic able or possible, III the
great movements Of State and public az
fairs of nations, to remedy or rapalf the
infection Of previous injustice In the
inception of it, we may oppose and de-
nounce it, by our most strenuous exertlons,
Blu. after its consummation, there IS often
no other alternative LEFT US but to deplorc
its preparation, and to acquicscc as the
only alternative, in lis ex stence, as less
evil than the frightilI consequences which
might ensuo from the vain endcavor to re-
pair it. Slavery is one Of those unfortunate
instances. The evil Of it was inflicted up
on us. by the parent country Of Great Bri-
tain. against all the cntreaties and rcmon-
strances Of the Colonies. And here i IS
amongst and amidst Us, and we must dis
pose OF it as best wc can. under all the cir
cumstances Which surround Us. 1t con-
tinucd, by the importation OF slaves from
Africa. in spite OF Colonial resistance, for
a period gilmore than n century and half,
and il may require equal or longer
lapse Of time before our country IS entirely
rid of the evil
And, in the mean time, moderation. pru-
dencc and discretion among ourselves,
and the blessings Of Providence may be
Ill necessary 10 accomplish our ultimate
deliverancc from it. Examples Of similar
infection Of irreparabc national evil and
injustice might b. multiplied TO an indcti-
mite extent The fasc Of the annexation
of Texas to the j4tcd States IS recent
and an obvious one where, lit were wrong
it cannot now be repaired. Texas IS now
an integral part of our [ Mon, with its own
voluntarily consent. Many Of US opposed
the annexation with honest zeal and most
earnest exertions. But who would now
think or peTpetratng the folly of casting
Texas out of the conlcderacy and throw
ing her back upon her own independence
or into the arms OF Mcxicol Who would
now seek to divorce her from this Union!
The Creeks and the Cherokee Indians
were by the most eyceptionable means.
driven from their country and transported
beyond the Mississippi River. Their
iails have been fairly purchased and oc-
cupied'-y the Inhabitants Of Georgia. Ala
bama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Who
would now concclra Of the fragrant injus-
tee of cxpellng the ini.a bitants and re-
To ~
KEGS and Greeks. under color Of i,.pairinr
original injustice, During the war oil ,eir
revolution, millions Of paper money were
issued by our ancestors, as the only cur
rency with which they could achieve our
liberties and Independence. Thousands
and hundreds Of thousands Of families
were stripped of their homes and their all
and brought to ruin, bv giving credit and
confidence to that spurious currency
Stern necessity has prevented the rcpara-
ton of that great national injustice.
But forbcar; viii no longer tlo~pass
upon vour patience or further tax my own
voice. impaired by speech of more than
three hours duration, which professional
duty required mo to make only few days
AGO. If have been at all successful in
the exposition Of the views and opinions
which / entertain nave shown
Ist That the present war was brought
about by the annexation Of Texas and the
subsequent order Of the President without
the previous consent and authority of Con-
gress.
Cd. That the President. being uncn-
lightened and uninstructcl. by any pub
lie declaration Of Congress, as to the OBJ
iects for which it ought 10 be prosecuted,
in the conduct Of II is. necessarily LEFT to
his own sense of what the national interest
and honor may require.
Sd. That the whole war making power
Of the nation. as to motives causes and OBJ
ccts. is conlided BY the constitution TO the
discretion and Judgment Of Congress.
18th. That it is therefore the right of
Congress at the commencement or during
the progress Of any war. to declare for
what objects and purposes the war ought
to be waged and prosecuted.
9TH. That it is the right and duty of
Congress TO announce 10 the nation for
what objects the present war shall Be long
or continued; that it is the duty Of Prcsi-
dent. in the exercis, of all official tlnc-
tions. to conform TO and carry out this de-
clared will of Congress. by the exercise
if necessary, OF all the high powers with
which he is clothed; and that II he fail or
refuse 10 do SO. II becomes the imperative
duty OF Congress 70 arrest the further
progress Of the war by the most etfectual
means in its power.
Let Congress announce to the nation
the object for which the war shall. be fur
thcr prosecuted and public suspense and
public inQuituie VIII no longer remain-,
Ii il is 70 be a war Of conquest OF all. or
any pert Of MEXICO. let the p.oplc know
il. and they vi, BE- no longer ar;tatcd By
dark AMI uncertain future. But altough
| might have .oreborne - express any
opinion whatever Us to purposes and objects
for which the war should b. continued -
have not thought proper to conceal my
opinions, whether worth ANYTHING or not.