Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-27
THE GREAT QUESTION OF THE DAY.

change papers indicate, by their contents, that all
eyes directed at this moment to the Capitol, in
eager expectation of some decision by Congress as
to the end to be sought by the existing war, the
spirit in which it is hereafter to be waged, and the
extent which is to be permitted to it. However
willing to sustain the honor Of the American flag un-
der all circumstances, there can be no doubt that
the war itself is distasteful to very large majority
of the people, and to very many Of them an object
of aversion and disgust. 1t cannot be said to be
popular in any part of the country, unless in the
States which border on the Gulf of Mexico If
the sense of all the People could be taken, either
upon lis original merit or its present usefulness, it
would undoubtedly be decisiyely condemned.
present political necessity may require tito be
persisted in; but how odious it nevertheless is
elsewhere-is better expressed in the language of a
paper now lying before US than by any thing Of our
own that we could put in its place.
!" The public sense is shocked says the Cincin-
cinnat Atlas at the very idea of territorial con-
quest; the public voice is loud and indignant
against it. We consider it settled fact that the
american voice has denounced the project Of
'wrenching territory from Mexico by force. There
are none to advocatssahe enormous outrage and
crime of mutating and Remembering that coun-
try, except those who imagine they are serving
the Administration thereby
So strong is the force of public sentiment on this
subject that in papers friendly to the Admin
istratlon, and published in the midst of popula-
ton of the Democratic order, the idea of conquest
and dsmemberment of Mexico is utterly dis
claimed and secuted as unworthy of that Justice
and that magnanimity which every statesman
ought to regard cardinal points in the char
acter of the United States. From such journal,
SO circumstanced, and probably influenced accord
ingly, we copy the following very rational article,
to which we pray the earnest attention of every
reader:
FROM THE CHARLESTON Is. EVENING FEB. l9.
"THE STATE OF THE MEXICAN QUESTION IN
: CoNGREss.-Ihere appears to be two parties in
Congress on the best mode Of settling our difficult
ties with Mexico. One of these is favorable to
system of defensive hostes, and the military oc-
cupation of such portions of the Mexican territory
as have been subdued by the American arms.
The other favors the vigorous prosecution of the
war until Mexico is disposed to pay us full indem-
nifty, embracing not only our former claims, but
all the expenses of the conflict. The one party re-
Elects all idea of dismemberment, and merely wish
'es settled boundary for Texas. The other
speaks OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT as necessary conse-
'quence of the war, and the relative position of the
two contending Powers, one weak and the other
powerful.
lis there no middle point between these extremes,
Is there no mode OF adjustment between conflict
ing opinions, which, rejecting ultra views, adopts,
the basis of agreement, that which includes the
w.
think there is such ground of agreement, and that
it may become the foundation OF treaty between
the United States and Mexico. The result would
be happy for this country closing the door, for
the present at least to that perilous debate in Con-
gress which has been opened by the leaders of abo
lition. Ii would not only remove the occasion for
those discussions on slavery within and beyond
the walls of Congress, which party politicians are
employing to promote their self-seeking designs,
but it would show to the European world that ter
ritorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT has not been the impelling
principle OF our war with Mexico. 1t would allay
the jeaousies of those statesmen in the Old World
who are now anxously directing their vision across
the Atlantic, closely observant of our Interior pur-
poses. 1t would establish the conclusion that if
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Mexico is to follow, it would re-
suit from inevitable circumstances and the progress
OF such principles of government as are in opera
ton in the United States, and not from the terrific
rial cupidily of our people.
"That middle ground, we presume, to lie in a
Declaration by Congress Of the principles on
Which The people ofhe United States are Uihing
to settle the dispute, soienanly disciainsing all
idea Of conquest and dismembermeat but claim
ing simply such reimbursement as shall be due on
those principles of indemnity which acknow
lodged by the laws of nations. If this should lead
to negotiations, and Mexico can discharge the in
demnity in money, (which she has not the ability
to do,) this we could not refuse, and would termi-
nate the controversy. But if she cannot pay us
money indemnity, the adjustment must embrace a
cession of territory and the important question
then arises shall we insist on those terms of settle
ment which dismember her dominions, and destroy
the integrity of her empire, or content ourselves
with the acquisition of one or more ports on the
Pacific, which would leave her territory nearly as
possible in an intact condition The acquisition,
for instance, Of the port of San Francisco might be
worth all that would cover such an indemnity
This would be the surrender Of part of her ter
ritorial sovereignty, and mere outskirt of her
empire, while it would be Of incaculable value to
'us as naval station and harbor on the Pacific.
q Such arrangement would demonstrate to the
world that the war not sought by us in the
spirit of aggrandizement, but for honest ndemnif-
cation. Il would entirely remove from the theatre
OF discussion that dangerous theme which has been
prematurey and inapproprately dragged into Con-