Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-08
From the Lima (ohio,) Argus, Of Nov. 2ad>
The Voice Of a Patriot.

From the Lima (ohio) Argus, Of Nov 2sd,
The Voice ola Patriot.
Speech of COL CURTIS, at the Court
House last evening. ga just and patriot
&c vie,o Of our relations ,Oiih Merico, &c.
Last evening large concourse Of our
citizens gathered inte the Court house to
hear aspeech from Col. Curtis on the SUBJ
juct Of our relations with Mexico. The
speech, was all that any Democrat could
wish it to be. 1t was q complete and mas
terly defence of the war-a whitening re.
buke to its opposers-a high-toned patriotic
effort, and as such we were proud of it,.
We understood Col. Curtis to protest
against any partisan use ofhis speech. but
how can this be avoided! Had he seen
the great manifesto from Ashland denounc.
ing the war-from this same Mr.. Clay
who one little year ago, held that the war
was just and righteous in the sight Of God
and man, and expressed such strong de-
sire to vindicate its justice by Staying
Mexicans? Had he not beheld his Eparty
exulting over their victory in Ohio, and
claiming it as an anti-war triumph? Had
he not witnessed with what sedulous care
this anti-war issue had been forced upon
the democrats. 1t is plain and indispu-
table fact that this issue does divide the two
parties, and the sentiments of Col. G.. was
with the openions of his party. 49,
Col. Curtis held the annexation of Texas
to be the cause of the war-the march to
the Rio Grande brought on the collision of
arms. He had been opposed to annexation,
but the people had fairly decided in favor
of the measure, and he cheerfully acqui-
esed. BUT WE HAD A RIGHT TO
ANNEX TEXAS, AND NO NATION
ON EARTH, NOT EVEN MEXICO
HERSELF HAD A RIGHT TO SAY
ONE WORD AGAINST 1T. 1T WAS
A CONTRACT BETWEEN FREE
AND INDEPENDENT POWERS-A
LEGAL CONTRACT IN THE FACE
OF THE WORLD-ITS JUSTICE
SANCTIONED BY THE LAW OF
NATIONS. Then commenced q series
of insults to our government from Mexico,
terminating in open hostilities. The first
was the declaration of the Mexican Minis
| ter that annexation would be followed by
war-this, said Col. Curtis was Ragrant
insult, for Mexico had no right to make
such declaration. If she had any claim
to Texas, she should have made it good ten
years before, ere she CAME to be acknowl.
edged FREQ and Independent. Mexico had
| acted consistently with the. declaration of
her Minister. She had refused to pay the
claims Of our citizens against her-she had
recalled her Minister; she refused peace;
rejected our Envoy--and finally ON the
18th of April, 1546, Parades declared War,
and sent his army in search Of ours, wher-
ever it might be found, on the soil Of Mex
leo, or on the soil of Texas. This procla.
nation dated four days before Gen. Taylor
took up his march for the Rio Grande.
Texas for ten years had claimed to the
Rio Grande-Mexico had refused to settle
the boundary--and, in the march General
Taylor met the forces Of Parades on the
disputed territory. advancing against HIM
Col. Curtis justified the President in order
ing our army to the Rio Grande. -
Thus, said Col. c. war was commenced,
1T WAS A JUST WAR-lT WAS
NOT A PARTY'S WAR--lT WAS
THE PEOPLES WAR-IT rs YOUR
WAR, IT is MY WAR, IT is THE
NATIONS WAR: And yet strange to
say, he found some men disposed to cavil
and denounce the war. 1t was sufficient
for him that it was just war, but even he
did not seem to feel it his duty to 20 much
behind the declaration of our authorities for
his Justification. s.... Il. ..,.....-.
Again, il was not an offensive war we
were waging, it was defensive war--it
was war waged in defence of our rights.
and if to protect them it became necessary
| to follow them on their own soil, it was
right and proper SO to do. 1t was legal
too, and justified by the laws Of war and of
nations. . -
Col. c. gave description of the coun.
try-it was yalueless for agricultural pur-
poses-it was good grazing country-ex.
haustless in its mineral resources. He "a.
vored the permanent occupation of the
country. -, -. .
Col. Curtis gave some interesting Incl
dents connected with his services in Mexi-
co, with description of the people, their
manners habits, &c. -... : ..',-s.-.
We are conscious that we have not done
justice TO this speech. Col. G. has set
his views above all party considerations,
and based them upon undeniable patriotism.
He appeals from party to the people in
favor of the war, its justice and propriety.
He is Independent and fearless, and while
he is rebuking his party's leaders, he is
but upholding the dignity and honor of his
country.
Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.
WAsH1NeToN, Nov. 90, 1s47.
J. Q. adams for the Whole Of jMerico-A
ne,v Peace Prospect-Mr. Claus and
ynr. Websier's Vews. es.-- ~
A startling rumor prevails in this city,
this morning, that will somewhat embar-