Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-12-29
Conquest and Compromise.

The members of Congress in both
Houses are already taking ground in re-
gard to the question of territory and the
adjustment of the Mexican controversy.
In the Senate. on the 5th. Mr.. Calhoun
submitted the following resolutions for
consideration. They plainly indicate that
Mr. Calhoun is opposed TO the conquest
and annexation Of Mexico to the nitcd
States. but are silent in regard to the pro-
per fiXations of boundaries between the
two countries:
'Rcsolrcd. That TO conquer Mexico.
and to hold it either as province or to
incorporate it in the Union. would be in
consistent with the avowed object for
which the warhas been prosecuted: de-
parture from the settled policy Of the gov
eminent: in conflict with It's character
and genius: and in the end subversive Of
our free and popular institutions.
..Rcsolrcd, That no line Of policy in
the further prosecution Of the war should
be adopted which may lead TO consequent
ces so DISASTROUS
On motion by Mr. Calhoun. it vas order
ed that the resolutions be printed.
Mr. Dickinson, leading and able Adj
minstration Senator from New York. on
the same day. offered the annexed reso-
lutions. He holds that ..tr,e policy re-
Quires the | nitcd States to annex '.confi-
guous territory,'' if il can be Justly obtain
ed. lie is opposed also to both the Mis-
souri, Compromise and the Wlmot Provi-
so. He leaves the question OF slavery to
the legislatures chosen by the people Of
the annexed territories:
Reso1rcd, That true policy requires the
government of the United States TO
strengthen It's political and commercial
relations upon this continent by the annex
alton Of such contiguous territory as may
conducc TO that end, and can be Justly OBJ
tanned. and that neither in such acquisi-
stions nor in the territorial organization
thereof. can any conditions be consttu-
tionally imposed, or institutions be provi-
dcd for or established inconsistent with
the right Of the people thereof. to form a
free sovereign state with the powers and
privileges of the original members of the
confcderacv
ResoIrcd, That in organizing terrific
rial government in territory belonging TO
the United States. the principles of self
government. upon which our federa;ive
system rests, Will best be promoted: the true
spirit and meaning Of the Constitution be
observed. and the confederacy strength
cned by leaving all questions concerning
the domestic policy therein to the legsla-
lures chosen by the people thereof.
Mr.. Isaac L. Holmes, Calhoun mem
Der Of the House. on the 18th. introduced
the preamble and resolutions below,
which take entirely new grounds. He OPP
poses the ex,nguishment Of the national
ity" Of Mexico, ut proposes to use our
victories for the purpose Of Fishing
an .'early peace with Mexico upon the ba-
SIS of an entire free trdde between the two
republics such as erists betreen the SER
erai States Of the Union" The resoln-
tons make a vassal Of Mexico. and offer
terms which no Independent nation would
submit TO. Would the United States con-
cede such privileges to any foreign powere
The answer is plain; aud justice forhlds
the application Of rule TO another which
we would not be governed by ourselves
The true ground is ''no territory
inde,nnity'-.no war"-..no supplies"
for its further prosecution-th establish
u,ent OF boundary on the Nueces-no
..entaneling alliance" with foreign powers
the repression of our robber bands IN
the business Of iand-stedling generally.
whether from Mexicans or Indians--re-
pencaI.ee for past crimes aud misdef''ean-
ars-and strict attention hereafter 10 eur