Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-23
lpolittrul.
PEACE WITH MEXICO.
RY ALBERT GALLATIN.
1.-THE LAW OF NATIONS.

1.-THE LAW OF NATIONS.
II seems certain that Mexico must ultimotely
submit to such terms Of peace os the United
States shall dictate. Heterogeneous population
of seven millions, with very limited resources,
and no credit; distracted by internal dssensions,
and by the ambition Of lis chiefs, prey by turns
10 anarchy and to military usurpers; occupying
among the nations of the civilized world, either
physically or mentally, whether in political edu-
cation, social state, or any other respect, but an
inferior position; cannot conh-nd successfully
with an energetic, intelligent, enlightened and
united nation of twenty millions, possessed of
unlimited resources and crdrI, yud enjoying all
the benefits of a regular, strong, aid free gov
eminent. All this was anticipated; but the ex-
traordinary successes Of the Americans have ex-
ceeded the most sanguine expectations. All the
advanced posts of the enemy, New Mexico, Cal
ifornia, the line of the lower Rio Norte, and all
the sea ports, which it was deemed necessary to
occupy, have been subdued. And small force,
apparently incompetent to the object, has pene-
trated three hundred miles into the interior,
and is now in quiet possession OF the far-famed
metropolis of the Mexican dominlons. The SUI
perior skill and talents of our distinguished gen.
erals, and the unparalleled bravery of our troops
have surmounted all obstacles. By whomsoever
commanded, on either side, however strong the
positions and Notifications of the MeXcans. and
/ with tremendous numerical superiority, there
has not been single engagement, in which they
have not been completely defeated. The most
remarkable and unexpected feature of that war
fare is, that volunteers, wholly undisciplined in
every sense of the word, have We'd IN devoted
ness and bravery with the regular forces, and
have proved themselves in every instance, supe-
rior in the open field to the best regular forces
Of Mexico. These forces are now annihilated
or dispersed; and the NleXicans are reduced to u
petty warfare of guerrlllas, which, however an
noying, cannot be productive Of any important
results.
1t is true, that these splendid successes have
been purchased at price far exceeding their val
he. 1t is true that, neither the g ory OF these
military deeds, nor the Ultimate utility Of our
conquests can compensate the lamentabe loss OF
the many thousand valuable lives sacrificed in
the field, or the still greater number who have
met with an obscure DEATH or been disabled by
disease and fatigue. 1t is true that their rela-
tlves, their parents, their wives and children, find
no consolation, for the misery inflicted upon
them, in the still greater losses experienced by
the Mexicans. But if, disregarding private ca
amites and all the OWLS Of general nature, the
necessary consequences of this war, we revert
solely to the relative position of the two coun-
tries, the impotence ofthe Mexicans and their TO-
tai inability to continue the war, with any APP
pearance OF success, are still manifest
The question then occurs: What are the terms
which the United States lySge right to impose
on Mexico? All agree IT. it must be an hon
orabe peace;" but thd>,ruc meaning OF this
word must in the first plas3so ascQtaIned.
The notion That any I'll, ~ can 'Nsruy honor
stract proposition, be So gated by every either
of me United States. NN anv ole dare TO as
ser that peace can be horable which does
not conform with justice}
There is no difficulty = discovering the prin
ciples by which the relations between civilized
and christian nations shoald be regulated ant
the reciprocal duties which they owe to caci
other. These principles, these duties, have long
since been proclaimed and the true law OF ma
tons is nothing else than the conformity to thu
sublime precepts Of the Gospel morality, precept
equally applicable to the relations between maj
and man, and 10 the intercourse between nation
and nation. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor al
myself" Love your enemies" "As you would
that men should do to you, do We also to then
likewise" The sanctlty Of these commands II
acknowledged, without a single exception b.
every denomination OF Christians, or Of men pro
Tossing to be such. The sceptical philosophe
admits and adnres the precept. To this hol,
rule we should infexibly adhere when dictatin:
the terms of peace. The United States, thougl
they have the power, have no right to impos
terms inconsistent with justice. 1t would be
shameful dereliction of principle, CD the part o
those who were averse to the annexation of Tex
as, to countenance any attempt to claim an &c
QUESTION of territory, or other advantage, on &C
count OF the success Of our arms.
But in judging ofthe acts Of our Government
1t must be admitted that statesmen think n con
formlty to these usages which constitute the Law
of nations, not as it should be, but as il is prac
tically, sufficient to justify their conduct. An
by that inferior standard, those acts and our du
ties IN relation to Mexico will be tested.
2.--INDEMNITIEs TO CITIZENS OF THE UNITE
STATES.
, The United States had and continue to have
an indubitable right 10 demand full indemnit
for any wrongs inflicted on our citizens by tn
Government of Mexico, in violation Of treatie
or of abe acknowledged laws of nations. TIL
+ negotiations for satisfying those just demand
had been interrupted by the annexation Of Tex
as. When an attempt was subsequently mad
10 renew Them, it was therefore just aud prope
. that both subjects should be discussed at tn
/ same time; and it is now absolutely necessary
4 that those Just claims should be fully provide
for, in any treaty-of pes~a- - .nasH-he conclut
) ed, and that the payment should be secured {
l ganst any possible contingency. | take it f
T granted that no claims have been, or shall b
i, sustained by our Government, but such as al
louHueu OH UetlleS or the aCknoWleugeu law
+, nations.
} Whenever a nation becomes Involved IN wa
g the manfestoes and every other public act issue
4. for the purpose of justifylng its conduct, alway
. embrace every ground of complaint which ca
D possibly be alledsed. But admitting that tn
t refusal to satisfy the claims for indemnity ofou
citizens might have been just cause Of war,
is most certain, that those claims were not tn
cause OF that in which we are now involved.
1t may be proper, in the first place, 10 observ
that the refusal Of doing justice in cases Of tn
|. kind, or the long delays in providing for then
q have not generally produced actual war. Almo
always long protracled negotiations have been
J, lone resorted TO. This has been strkingly ii
= case with the United States The claims
4 Great Britain for British debts, secured by Ii
treaty OF 1883, were not settled and paid till III
year 1903; and it was only subsequent to tn,
year, that the claims of the United States, f
depredallons committed in 1893, were satisfies
The very plain question Of slaves, carried ava
by the British forces in 1915, IN open violato
OF the treaty of 1914, was not settled and the IL
demnity paid till the year 1896. The claims
gainsl France for depredalions committed in Ii
years 1906 TO 1918, we're not settled and paid f
ill the year 1884. In all those cases, peace WI
preserved by patience and forbearance.
With respect to the Mexican indemnities Il
Il subject had bee- laid more than once before Coz