The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-10-16

IreSluent ana tie Mexican military cnleltaln
entered into precise agreement, of course
cannot say; but that there was general un-
standing between them, is evident from all
the circumstances of the case. Whether
Santa Anna was unable or unwilling to car
ry out that understanding, or whether he
found the sentiment of the nation too strong
for him, leave you to judge; but the fact is,
we find him, soon after, at the head of the
army, and in direful and bloody conflict with
the army otthe United States. lie had come
to Mexico, either nj the suggestlon,o nj least
by the permission of the President ofthe u
nited Satcs. lie had put himself at the head
ofthe Mexican armies;hut instead of moving
towards peace, lie moved only towards war
and conflict and battle. And, sir, whatever
else may be said of the circumstances, ordi-
nary or extraordinary, that have waited upon
the fortunes of the President Of the United
States, il must be admitted that in one re-
spcct, at least, ibis case is somewhat singular.
He has made war, he has seen great armies
fighting numerous battles, and it has so hap
pencd that he has had the selection of the
commanders on both sidesl
The precise object of this war is proved by
facts and circumstances, sufficient, think,
to satisfy any reasonable man. That object
was to establish Government in MeSico,by
the restoration of Santa Anna, which should
yield the question of Texan annexation, and
give us no more trouble on that account.
How grievously that calculation has been dis
appointed, let subsequent events show. 1hls
then is the real ground and origin of the war
and all the rest, so far as appears to me, is
mere preteXt; and hope those whose bust
ness it is to spread information upon these
| important subjects before the people, will
| look at that proclamation fthe 9th of June,
will compare what the Government ofihe u
nitCd States therein says, with what Tie Pres
ident said in his message Of the llth of May,
and what Congress enacted in conformity
with that message, the hypothesis that war
arose from invasion by the Mexican forces,
ofour SOIL and the murder of our citizens.
Sir, have before alluded to the dcclara-
ton of Mr. Calhoun, that if there had been
no annexation of Texas, there would have
been no war. Now | choose TO say that
concur in your own declaration, sir, so forci-
bly, expressed by you, in your place in the
House of Representatives, that ''thG direct
consequence of this act of iniquty, is the
present war" have endeavored TO show
that it was to remove, to pacity, the opposi-
ton in Mexico TO this plan, that our own
| Government entered on these operations.
MIR Calhoun is right. 1t is too plain that an
ncxation was the primary cause of the war.
t-Does any body suppose we should have gone
INTO the war, have undertaken 10 dcpupulate
Mexico, merely because she did not pay her
debt, or had refused 10 receive MIR SlidelI?
No, sir. No one so supposes. Would Con-
grcss have declared war on any such preteXt?
| think not: believe not. Then the war
grew out ofanneXation; and it was, do not
say a necessary, but certainly not an unnnt-
ural consequence of that step. But, what is
remarkable, the grievance is on the part of
! Mexico, and we make the war. She suffers
the wrong, MS she esteems it, and we give the
first blow. We make the war because she
complains of injury, and will not give up
complaint.
Now. it cannot be Of much consequence,
except TO myself what the acts of so humble
an individual on this subject may have been.
But it is one consolation 10 me, to know that
always, from the beginning, have opposed
the scheme of Texan annexation with the
entire of my ability. Ten years ago, sir, at n
meeting of political friends in New York,
where there was Il good deal of difference of
opinion on that question, and was advised
not to commit myself upon it-l did commit
myself and there it stands-and am thank
full for it. | was opposed 10 it then,and have
been opposed TO it, under all circumsan-
ces, ever since. And my opposition was
founded on the ground that | never would
and never should repeat, now, never
will, never shal-give my vote in Congress
for any further annexation of territory to this
country, with slave representation.
We hear much, Just now, of n panacea for
tie danger aud evils of slavery and slave an
ncxation, which they call the Wimot Provi-
so. That, certainly, is just sentiment, but
it is not n sentiment to found any new party
upcn 1t is not sentiment OIL which Nlassa-
chusetts Wings differ. There is not man
in this hall who holds to it more firmly than
do, nor one who adheres to il more than a
Mother | feel some little interest in this
matter, sir. Did not | commit myselfin IS
s. to the whole doctrine, lly,entrely? And
| must be permitted to say that cannot quite
consent that more recent discoveries should
claim the merit, and take out a patent. de-
ny the priority oftheir invention. Allow me
to say, sir it is not their thunder.
MIR President,if any newly acquired terrific
nv were to be free territory, still should de-
precatc the acquisition. / think we have
now n large and ample domain, and de-
gree of similarity of character, of identity OF
interest, that binds us together, from the Pe-
nobscott to the gulfof Mexico. But If we go
on with extension, annexation, over Calilor-
mia, and l know not how far towards the
south pole I'VE cannot say how long such SIM
iIarity will continue to exist May not the
probable tendency Of such a policy be direct
" towards n despotic government,or series
of despotic governments? Sir, | apprehend
that. for the practical success of republican
government, there should be this degree OF
identity in popular character and local in Ms,
tutions. 1t may not be so with others; The
Emperor of Russia may govern his Europe
an subjects by one code, and his As'a'ic do
ninions by another; because between theh
there is no strong association, no great com
} mon interests But in republic, where
similar interests belong to all, similar charac'
ter, to a greater or less extcnt,is found in all
and where exactly the same laws mnst pre-
| vail over all, this cannot be. II does seem to