Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-03
NUMBER IS.

than half Of the pecuniary cost Of the war
OF our Independence. And this Is the con-
dition Of the party whose arms have been
everywhere and constantly yictorioust
How did we unhappily get involved In
this war II was predicted as the conse-
quence of the annexation OF Texas 10 the
United States. If we had not Texas we
should have no war. The people we're told
that if that event happened, war would en-
sue. They we're told that the war between
Texas and Mexico had not been terminated
by a treaty Of peace that Mexico still
claimed Texas as a reyolted province and
that, If we received Texas in our Union.
we took along with her, the war existing be.
tween her and Mexico. And the Minister
OF Mexico formally announced 10 the Gov.
eminent al Washington, that his nation
would consider the annexation Of Texas to
the United States as producing q state Of
war. But all this was denied by the parti-
zans Of annexation. They insisted we
should have no war, and even Imputed to
those who foretold il, sinister motives for
their groundless prediction.
But, notwithstanding a state Of virtual war
necessarily resulted from the fact Of annex
alton Of one Of the belligerents OF the Unit
ed States, actual hostilities might have been
probably averted by prudence, moderation,
ami wise statesmanship. If General Tay-
lor had been permitted 10 remain, where
his wi good sense prompted him 10 believe
he ought TO remain, at the point Of Corpus
Christi and IL a negotiation had been
opened with Mexico. in a true spirit Of am
ity and Cancellation, war possibly might
have been prevented. But, instead Of this
pacific and moderate course, whilst Mr. Sill
dell was bending his way to Mexico, with
his diplomatic credentials, General Taylor
was ordered 10 transport his cannon, and 10
plant them, in a warlike attitude, opposite
to Matamoros, on the east bank of the Rio
Bravo, within the very disputed territory,
The adjustment Of which was 10 be the OBJ
ject Of Mr. Slidell's mission. What else
could have %iranspired but a conflict Of
armsf
Thus the war commenced, and the Pres
ldent, after having produced it, appealed to
Congress. A bill was proposed to raise
$4,000 volunteers, and in order TO commit
all who should vote for it, a preamble was
inserted, falsely attributing the commence.
ment Of the war to the act Of Mexico. I
have no doubt Of the patriotic motives of
those who. after struggling to divest the bill
of that fragrant error, found themselves con-
strained 10 vote for it. But ] must say that
no earthly consideration would have ever
tempted or provoked me to vote for a bill
with a palpable falsehood stamped upon its
face. Almost idolizing truth, as I do. I
never, never could have voted for that bill.
The exceptionable conduct Of The Fed
eral party, during the last British War, has
excited an influence IN the prosecution of
the present war, and prevented u Just dis.
elimination between the two wars. That
was a war Of National defence, required for
the vindication Of the National rights and
honor. and demanded by the indignant voice
of the people. President Madison himself.
| know, at first reluctantly and with great
doubt and hesitation, brought himself 10 the
conviction that it ought to be declared. A
leading, and perhaps the most influential
member OF his Cabinet, (Mr GaIIatin) was,
up TO the time of its declaration. opposed to
IL. But nothing could Withstand The ire
sistible force OF public sentiment. II was a
Just war, and its great object, as announced
at the time, was, Free Trade and Sailors
Rights" against the intolerable and oppres-
sive acts of British power on the ocean
le7AeS VI ~ wal tdi iIotu bChuH Qt-
MED or controverted, was admitted by the
Federal party, which only questioned il on
considerations Of policy. Being deliberate
and consiitutionally declared, il was, I
think, their duty TO have given 10 il their
hearty cooperation. But the mass OF them
did not. They continued to oppose and
thwart II. to discourage loans and enlist
ments, to deny the power Of the General
Government TO march the militia beyond
our limits, and 10 hold q Hartford Conven-
tion, which, whatever were It's real objects,
bore the aspect Of seeking a dissolution of
the Union itself. They lost and Justly lost
the public confidence. But has not an ap-
prehension Of a similar fate, in the state Of
a case widely different. repressed a fearless
expression Of their real sentiments in some
of our public men
How totally variant is the present war !
This is no war OF defence, but one unnec.
essary and OF offensive aggression. Il is
Mexico that is defending her ire-sides, her
castles, and her affairs, not we. And how
different also is the conduct Of the present
Wing party from that Of the major part of
the federal party during the war of 1921
Far from opposing any obstacles TO the pros
%ecution of the war, il the Wings ia Office
are r~epToachable al all, il is for having lent
too ready a facility TO il, without careful ex-
animation into the objects Of the war. And
out Of Office. who have rushed to the prose-
cution Of the war with more ardor and alac-
rity than the Whigsi Whose hearts have
bled more freely than those Of the Whigsg
Who have more occasion 10 mourn the loss
Of sons. husbands, brothers, fathers, than
wing parents, wing wives and wing brothers,
in this deadly and Improbable strife
Bot the havoc Of war is ia progress, and
the no less deplorable havoc Of IN inhospi-
table and presidential climate. Without in
dOlging ia an unnecessary retrospect and
useless reproaches on the past, all hearts
and heads should unite in the patriotic en-.
deayor TO bring il to a satisfactory close. Is
there no way 10 which this can be done 7
Must WI blindIy continue the conflict with.
out any visible object, or any prospect Of a
definite termination? This is the impor-
tant subiecl unon which | desire 10 eonault