The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-26


OF all the possessions which apper-
tain TO man, in his collective or individu-
al condition, none should be preserved
and cherished, with more sedulous and
unremitting care, than that of an unsulli.
ed character. II is impossible TO esti-
mate it too highly, in society, when at
tached to an individual, nor can it be ex.
aggerated or too highly magni6ed in
nation. Those who lose or are indiHer-
ent to it become just objects of scorn and
contempt. OF all the abominable trans
actions, which sully the pages of history
none exceed in enormity that of the dis
memberment and partition of Poland,
by the three great Continental Powers of
Russia. Austria aud Prussia. Ages may
pass away, and centuries roll around, but
as long as human records endure all man.
kind will unite in execrating the rapa-
cious and detestable deed. That was
accomplished by overwhelming force,
and the unfortunate aud fatal dissensons
and divisions in the bosom of Poland
Let us avoid fixing to our name and ma
tional character similar, if not worse,
stigma. lam afraid that we do not now
stand well with other parts of chrsten-
dom. Reputation has brought upon US
much reproach. All the nations, ap-
prehend. look upon US, in the prosecution
Of the present war, as being actuated by
spirit Of rapacity, and an inordinate de-
sire for territorial aggrandizement. Let
us not forfeit altogether their good opin.
ions. Let us command their applause
by noble exercise Of forbearance and
justice. In the elevated station which
we hold, we can safely afford to practice
the Godlike virtues of moderation and
magnanimity. The long series of glori-
GUS triumphs, achieved by our gallant
commanders and their brave armies, un-
attended by a single reverse, justify US,
without the least danger of furnishing the
national honor, in disinterestedly holding
out the olive branch of peace. We do
not want the mines, the mountains, the
morasses, aud the sterile lands of Mexico.
To her the loss of them would be humiIi-
iating, and be perpetual source of re-
gret and modification. Tous they might
prove fatal acquisition, producing dis
traction, dissention, division, and possibly
disunion. Let, therefore, the integrity
of the national existence and national
territory remain undisturbed. For one,
| desire to see no part of her territory
torn from her by war. Some of our peo-
pie have placed their hearts upon the ac-
QUESTION of the Bay of Francisco in Up
per California. To us, as great mari
time Power, it might prove to be of ad-
vantage hereafter in respect to our com
mercial and navigating interests. To
Mexico, which can never be great mar
thine Power, it can never be Of much ad-
vantage. If we can obtain it by fair pur-
chase with just equivalent, should be
happy to see it SO acquired. As when
ever the war ceases, Mexico ought to be
required to pay the debt due our citizens
perhaps an.equivalent for that Bay may be
found in that debt, our Government as
suming to pay to our citizens whatever
portion of it may be applied to that OBJ
ject. But it should form no motive in
the prosecution ofthe war, which would
not continue solitary hour for the sake
of that harbor.
But what it will be asked, shall we
make peace without any indemnity for
the expensesof the war? Ifthe published
documents in relation to the late nego-
tiations between Mr.. Trist and the Mex
ican Commissioners be true, and I have
not seen them anywhere contradicted,
the Executive properly waived any de-
mand ofindemnity for the expenses Oft the
war. And the rupture of that negotia-
ton was produced, by our Government
insisting upon a cession from Mexico, of
the strip pof mostly barren land between
the Nueces and the Rio Bravo and New
Mexico, which Mexico refused to make.
So that we are now fighting, if not for the
conquest Of all Mexico, as intimated in
some quarters. for that narrow strip and
for the barren Province of New Mexico,
with its few miserable mines We bought
all the Province of Louisiana for fifteen
millions of dollars, and it is, in my opin-
ion, worth more than all Mexico together.
We bought Florida for FIVE millions of
dollars, and hard bargain it was, since,
besides that sum, we gave up the boun-
Diary Of the Rio Bravo, to which think
wo were entitled, as the Western limit
of the Province of Louisiana, and were
restricted to that of the Sabine. And we
are now, if not seeking the conquest of
all Mexico, to continue this war indehn-
itely for the inconsiderable objects to
which | have just referred.
But, it will be repeated, are we to have
no indemnity for the expenses of this
warl Mexico is utterly unable to make
us any pecuniary indemnity, ifthe justice
OF the war on our part entitled us to de-
mand it, Her country has been laid
waste, her cities burned or occupied by
our troops, her means so exhausted
that she is unable to pay even her own
armies. And every days prosecution of
the war whilst it would augment the a.
mount of our indemnity, would lessen
the ability of Mexico to pay it. We have
seen, however, that there is another form
in which we are TO demand indemnity.
1t is to be territorial indemnify Ihope
for reasons already stated, that that fire.
brand willnot be broughtinto our counry.
Among the resolutions which it is my in.
tcn,ion to present for your consideration, at
1 ha oonclusinn nj ,I;s ndra.s ono v,so.oso. |