Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-26
THF, RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

or possible, in he great movements OIL States and
public affairs OF nations, 10 remedy or repair The
infection ot previous Dlus,ice. Ia The Inception
Of il, VIC may oppose and denounce II, BY our
most strenuous cxertons, but, alter lis consnm-
NATION, there is often no other alternative l.tt US
but 10 dep!cre its preparation, and 10 acquesce,
as The only alternative, in lis existence, less
evil Than The iIishlul consequences which might
ensue from the vain endeavor 10 repair il. Sla-
very i one Of those unfortunate instances. The
evil Of i, was inflicted upon rs, By the parent
country Of GrcaI Bfa in, against III tie enrealies
and rcnouslraDces Of The colonies And here il
is amongst and amidst US, and We must dispose
Of i, rs best we can under all The circumstances
which surround US Ii continued, by lie mpor-
talon OF slaves fIom Africa, in spite OF colonial
resistance, for period Of more than century
and hail, and il may require in equal or longer
lapse Of time before our country is entirely rid
o! The evil. And in the meantime moderation,
prudence, and discretion among ourselves, and
the blessings Of Providence may be all necessary
TO accomplish our ultimate deliverance from il.
Examples of similar iE1iclion OF irreparable ma
lional evil and injustice might be multiplied 10
an indefinite extent.
The case OF the annexation OF Texas 10 the u.
States is a recent and an obvious one which, if il
were wrong, il cannot now be repaired. Texas
is now an integral part OF our Union, with its
own voluntary consent. Many OF us opposed The
annexation with honest zeal and mos earnest ex.
erlions. But who would now think of perpelra-
ting lie folly OF casting Texas out Of the COME.
deracy, and throwing her back upon her own in.
dependence, or into he aims Of Meyicol Who
would row seek TO divorce her from this Unon7
The Greeks and The Cherokee Indians were, by
the most exceplionable means, driven from their
country, and Trans ported beyond the Mississippi
lar kaxru h2ar fair oh,-, a
and occupied by inhabitants OF Georgia, Alaba-
ma, Mississippi and Tennessee. Who would
now conceive The hagrant injustice Of expeiDg
those inhabitants and restoring The Indian coun-
Try TO The Cherokees and Creeks, under color Of
repairing original injustice? During the war Of
our revolution, millions OF paper money were is
sued by our ancestors as The only currency with
which they could achieve our liberties and indie
pendencc. Thousands and hundreds OF thou
sands Of families we're stripped of their homes and
their all and brought to run by giving credit and
confidence 10 that spurious currency. Stern me-
ccssiiy has prevented the reparaiion of that great
national injustice.
But foIbear; | will no longer trespass upon
your patience, or further lax my own voice, i'm
paired by speech Of more than three hours du.
ration, which professional duty required me 10
make only few days ago. If Ihave been al all
opinions which entertain, have shown
lst. That The present war WIS brought about
by the annexation of Texas and the subsequent
order OF the President without the previous con.
sent and authority OF Congress.
ID. That the President, being Inenishened
and uninslruc,ed by any public declaration Of
Congress, as 10 objects Tor which il ought to be
prosecuted in The conduct Of il, is necessarily left
10 his own sense oi what the national interests
and honor may require.
Sd. That The whole war-making power OF the
nation, as TO motives, causes and objects, is con.
6jed By the Constitution 10 The discretion and
Judgment Of Congress.
4th. That il is, therefore, The right OF Con-
gress, al the commencement or during The pro-
gress Of any war, 10 declare Tor what objects and
purposes the war ought 10 be waged aud prose-
culed
5h That il is The right and duty of Congress
10 announce 10 The nation for what objecs The
present wa! shall be longer continued; that it is
The duty ol the President, in The exercise OF all
his official functions 10 conform 10 and carry ou
This declared will OF Congress, 10y The exercise, if
necessary, OF all The high powers with which he
is clothed; ard that, il he TAI or refuse TO do So
il becomes The imperative duty Of Congress 10 ar
rest the further progress Of the war BY the most e
iecual means in its power.
Let Congress announce TO the nation the OBJ
jecis for which this war shall be further prorac-
ed, and public suspense and public nquieude
will no longer remain. Ii il is 10 be war of
conquest OF all, or any part Of Mexico, lei the
people know ii, and they will be no longer agila
ted by dark and uncertain future. But although
| might have iorborne 10 express any opinion
whatever as 10 purposes and objects for which
the war should be continued, have not thought,
proper 10 conceal my opinions, whether worth
any hirg or not, from the public examination.
Accordingly have stated,
9Th. That il seems to me that il is Inc duty OF
our country, rs well on The score Of moderation
and magnanImily as with The view II avoiding
ciscord and discomfort al home, 10 abslain from
seeking TO conquer and annex 10 the Unilcd States
MeHioo any par, NJ :; and especially To dis
abuse The public mind in any quarter OF The
Union OF thc impression, il it anywhere exists,
that desire for conquest is cherished for The pur-
pose OF propasating or extending slavery.
have embodied, Mr. President and fellow
citizens, lie sentiments and opinions which
have cndeavoIcd 10 explain and enforce in Sc.
ries Of resolutions, which beg now 10 submit 10
your consideration and judgment
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