Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-01-01

| ITpsuent van DWren. informed us Wildl was
his own duty in such a conjuncture lie says
"Prcsident Van Buren,, in his Annual mes
sage to Congress of 9Th December 1887, states
that, although the larger number OF our de-
mands for redress, 'and many of them aggra-
waited cases of personal wrongs, have been now
for years before the Mexican Government, and
some of the causes of national complaint. and
those of the most offensive character, admitted
of immediate, simple, and satisfactory replies,
it is only within few days past that any speci-
fic communication in answer to our last demand.
made five months ago, has been received from
the Mexican Minister and that for not one
of our public complaints has satisfaction been
given ar offered that but one of the cases of
personal wrong has been favorably considered !;
and that but four cases of 9TH descriptions, out
of al those formerly presented and earnestly
pressed, have rs yet been decided upon by the
Mexican Government
President Van Buren,, believing that it would
be in vain to make any farther attempt TO obtain
redress by the ordinary means within the power
of the Executive, communicated this opinion TO
Congress in the Message referred to, in which
he said -
"On a careful and deliberate examination of
the contents of the Correspondence with the
Mexican Government, and considering the
spirit manifested by the Mexican Gcvcrnmen
ject as it now stands to Congress, 10 uaom il
belongs to decide upon the time, the mode and
the measure of redress"
Such was the couise of President Polk him
solf. How pointedly does it not rebukc his own
course under circumstances not materially diff
ferent Mr.. Van Buren, did not deem himself
authorized by these considerations, in the exist
ing state of things in Mexico, 10 recommend
to Congress to declare War against her; nor did
Mr.. Polk think, at the beginning of the last
session, that the injuries winch he now cnumer-
ates authorized that extreme measure or be
would have sent in such recommendation
himself.
Being convinced that war was q "necessa-y
and eXpedieut measure it was his constitutions
al duty TO " recommend it TO Congress = and,
failing TO do so. he would have been cuipabiy
derelict. II, in the course of the session, any
thing occurred to bring him to different con-
clusion, Mr. Van Buren, I'd instructed him that
it was his duty to lay the whole subject before
Congress, to whom il belonged to decide upon
the time, the mode. and the measure Of redress
to be had from Mexico. Nay, Mr.. Polk himself
was. at the opening Of the last session of Con-
gress, fully sensible of what his duty was. when
he informed the two houses, in his annual mes
sage, that he forcbore at that time "to recon-
mend 10 Congress- such Interior measures OF
redress" &c. in consequence Of the tendency
of the mission of Mr.. Slidcll.
Let it be admitted that the United States have
suffered much wrong from MeXico-enongh
WITHOUT sWeiiing by tne e,apof''e eNai,sefatio''
III "hlch tne ireenae'lt ''u"'ScN n'iNsci III n9
message but WHO nave oeo" 'lc i,''lisu'"'e
causc anu III III o' 'Hce' ','s' 'S",
ef'' men WHO nave o'Sr 7a.ueu ana u"'''
upon her Consll,u'lon ana Iortis 81 INV Mt'
nl'e puI uo"i, an oIuer ana ieEai uGco''i''1p''
~! 'nu a. t"1. 80 nav W., ",:',
- .',"' o'.'"9'o'' "'N mia! u"'''"!' '''
i'o'' na',',s an. ieSu'ar anu u, "u'ao'c va.
..'I s!s'e.i VI i'ie 49, a'o Ia,
lol INV sva 81 ba
hoon h-onohi r,o,, ,bo.o h., tbo do,,n,,onc, III,
Violence and The c~mes IF tbe;r rnlrrs idmi
that the Injuries which we have received at tn,
hands or NJ ,v;co have hann sul,;cie,, to excite q
Josiro far r-lress or if Won will even for ven
renee vet. when we look at thinrs as they OK
:, in thai unhonpv country. and reflect tina, he
down.,rolden masses. upon whom chiefly tn
calamite. of war fall. are innocent of on
WRONGS. and have not the power to right them
pity and humanity arrest the purpose that woul
indict upon them the direful scourrc of wa.
Oar arms might carry desolation and mournin,
10 info Mi tho Lnvols of tho miserable masses n
to Mexico. while the real delinquen,s would b
at well.nigh as secure from harm as the true an
I'd thor Of This war. almost entbroncd as he i, i
ur The palace in this Metropolis But had the Pr,
OF s;doni recommended war instead of decarin
to that he forebore TO do So Congress mipbt c
n. uicht not have declared il. Probably not, a
Of the President admitted that an existing Cover
to men, in Mexico was disposed to receive a Mini
of ,rv from us In settle eyisiinr difficulties. an
Of also that the country was on tie verge of one
st. its fre1uent revolutions. II disoosed TO take
m remedy into our own hands, Congress migl