The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-07-27
THE JUSTICE OF THE WAR.

We come now to the claims set up by the
friends of Mexico of her right TO the terrific
ry on the East bank of the Rio Grande. II
is almost impossible to add TO the world ac-
knowledgod mass of testimony which has
been already adduce |. Every prominent
statesman, Of both parties, has recorded his
testimony in favor of the claim of Texas 20
the territory in dispute. The same claim
was recognized by General Woll, the Mexi-
can commander, as we'll as by Santa Anna
himself. In a struggle between two nations,
it is not usual for the defeated power to die
tate terms, and affix boundaries. Texas be-
ing the victor, might properly exercise domi-
nation TO the full extent of her power to
hold, but she claimed no further than her
natural boundary. Prior to the annexation,
the district in question sent their Represen-
tatives to the Texan Congress; since the an
nexaton, a custom-house has been estab-
lished in the disputed territory by our own
Congress, and that, too with the concurrence
of federal votes! But we are not constrained
to depend upon such poor authority as that of
federalism. One historical fact will serve to
place the question beyond all doubt or cavil.
At the cession of Texas to Spain by the Uni
led Sta tes, her boundary was distinctly de-
fined to be the Rio Bravo, or Rio Grande.-
By no enactment of Spain, Tetas, or Merico
herself has this boundary been since changed.
Upon this turns the whole question of the
Justice Of the war, and our country is,
therefore as she always has been, in the
right. Oar territory, which we hold by so clear
right, was invaded, and we were menaced
with war Here, again, look at the unexam-
pied forbearance of our government. Long,
long had the sands of Mexico drank the blood
of American citizens, but how slow the
sword of the avenger! The Mexican gov
ernment refused TO receive our Plenipeeil-
tiary, which, under the circumstances, would
have been regarded by any other nation in
Chrsiendom as declaration of war. But
not SO with our government. Gen. Taylor
was ordered to Corpus Christi with au army
of observaon-to watch for the worst, and
report TO Washington, in order hat the cri-
sis might be met. When it became abso-
iutely certain that an attack was meditated
he called for more men. Gen. TAYLOR was
brave, prudent and skillful, eminen;ly quail
fed to guard the interests of his country
Every movement was in accordance with his
advice. He acted on the defensive; the frs
attack was made by the Mexicans, and thus
the ball opened.
Permit us now once more to advert briefly
to the Texan struggle for independence, ir
order 10 show the natural predictions o
of the federalists in favor of despotie
principles. They instinctivcly attach them
B,lves to whatever savors Of ar istocracy-
every system of tyranizing over the popular
masses, and the more odous the tyranny
the warmer their attachment. If there evel
was proper occasion for the manifestation
of sympathy in behalf of an oppressed peo
pie struggling to be free, it vas when hand.
full ofnoble heroes rallied under the "lone
STAR" and shouted defiance to their oppres.
sor. AT such crisis-when freedoms
mighty heart beat fearfully and low
sher tresses flowing wd'--
her holy banner, bathed in blood, but still
streaming like meteor through the lone
night of revoluion-in such struggle, we
ask, where are the sympathies of the federal
lists? With the oppressors! They are
traitors to heaven born liberty, occupying the
same ground with the tories of our own
revolution. There is no music for federal
ears, in the tocsin cry of nation struggling
TO be free, though every pass were Their.
mopylae, and every breeze swelled and
breahed and burned with living freedoms
God-like voice.
And these are the men who new stigma
tize war into which we were absolutely
forced as an unholy war, and offer ur
PRAYERS for the success of the enemyl-
Out upon such damnable treason and hy.
pocrcy, emanate from what source they
may. --Clepeland Times.