Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-02-24

mcLds it 10 be prosecuted for the oh eel
have Northumberland is 10 say. indcmni
ty foI our cilzens-a recommendation, in
my opinion, proper Of itself; for while we
are engaged in war all the differences be-
tween The Two countries ought, if possible,
to he setlled.-Thcse appear 10 me be the
objects ol, the war.-Conquesl is expressly
! disavow cd, and constitutes none Of the
objects Of The war. The President, in ad
dillon, recommends that we shall also
| prosecute the war in order to obtain in
demnily for the expense Of the war, but
that in no sense can be considered az an
object Of tina; war. II is neither more nor
less than mere question Of policy; for it
would be absurd in the extreme to suppose
that nation would enter into a war for
The purpose Of indemni(yiug itself for the
expenses CT that war. hold that such
being The objects Of the war, that all Inc
objects for which it was declared can be
accomplished by taking defensive posi-.
lion. Two of them have been already
entirely affected. The enemy has been
repelled by two brilliant victories. The
Rio del Norlc is held from the mouth to
It's extreme source on the eastern side by
ourselves.-Ntot Mexican soldier is 10 be
found oD the eastern side Of ii.
As 10 The remaining indemnity 10 our
cltlzeus such has been The success of our
arms that We have not only acquired
enough for thai, but vastly more, to COM
prehend, great as they already have been,
The expenses Of the war, if it should be
Judged tha. it were wise, sound, and just
policy on our part SO 10 defray them.
Here, Mr.. President, arises the question
shall we hold the line that we now occu-
py. and which we cover by our military
forces, comprehending Two thirds of the
whole of Mexico, as is estimated, compri.
sing the valley Of the Del Nore on both
sides, quite up on the western side Of the
Sierra Madre, and comprising on lhe
southern side of our ine-l mean Oregon,
down lothc southern exlremilics Of the
CALIFORNIA; and New Mexico !? Shall we
hold to that; or, shall we select some other
portion more suited TO the objects we have
in view am uoi prepared TO discuss
aud decide that qaes. inn Gills-1 l, a-,-, .,e.i-
the requisite information, aud ii had, Il
would mt be necessary for the object
which have in view. Whatl propose
10 consider in the preScnl stage Of the
casc-n lie absence Of such Information
| is this. what arc general considerations
which ought 10 govern US i'll selecting
defensive line ir il should be determined
that is The proper course Of policy ? And
rhis again, must he decided from The OBJ
| iecls which such Il war has in view.
will now.rroceed TO stale what these gen.
| era considerations. in my opinion, are.
In the first place, it musI be such as lc
effect the objects which we have in de-
clarins war. 1t must fulfil its three con-
dilions-,he repusiou Of the enemy--tne
acquisition Of The whole country east OF
the Del Noue.-lhe establishment Of that
as our boundary aud an ample indemnify.
Bu' as far as these considerations are con
ceTrcd, we ought not 10 go an inch further.
We ought by all means-hy every conslI-
ration-we oush, to avoid lne appearance
of taking possession of any portion of the
couulry as conqucst-on the principle OF
Il war of conquest.
shall now proceed 10 state the princl.
Piles wich should govern our policy III this
particular. The first and most important
consideration in selecting boundary is
this that it shall be such from its natural
advantages and other considerations as
shall involve the smallest sacrifice Of men
and money-in one word, which shall
possess all the natural advantages which
such boundary ought 10 have for defence,
and allhe same lime be SO situated that
supplies of money and food can be drawn
readily 10 support tho line, if assailed by
Mexico. The next consideration, in my
opinion, which ought 10 govern US in Sc
lcclng the line is this: it ought TO be such
as would be desirable for US to possess, IT.,
in the ultimate adjustment of differences
with Mexico, that SO established shall be-
come the common boundary between the
two nations. And go further, it Should
be such as shall deprive Mexico of tho
smallest possible degree of her own proper
resources aud strength. For while we
consider our own interests in establishing
defensive line, in my humble opinion,
we ought not to overlook the consideration
of wha, is suited to Mexico as well as to
ourselves. | hold that we ought 10 be just
10 Mexico, moi only because, she is our
neighbor-not only because she is a sister
republic-not only because she is emulons
now. and ever has been, of following our
example-not only because she is the grea-
lest power on the continent, almost if not
quite next to ourselves, of al! portions of il
which have become subject 10 European
possession. These are high considerations
which every American ought to feel, and
which every generous and sympalhIzlns
heart will feel.
But there are other considerations oi
| potential weight on this point, which be-
long far more to ourselves than ID Mexico
Mexico is one of The greatest problems
connected with our foreign relations, and