The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-01-26

bill is again, in the annual message of the
President at the opening Of the session strong
| ly recommended TO the favorable attention OF
Congress. The history OF the measure is
known 10 the House and the country. IL
passed the House Of Representatives at the
last session, late on the Saturday night next
preceding Monday. the 10th of August, on
| which day congress had decided 10 adjourn
at - o'clock AT noon. Many other impor-
tanI bills were still pending in the Senate, to
be decided on the forenoon OF Monday, and
this bill, taken up in the last hour of the ses-
OF the Senate, did not receive the final at ton
OF vote upon its passage. bot was lost by
not having been voted upon, and without the
! decision of the Senate, This measure, in
a time of war, is recommended BY the Presi-
| dent. aud should be acted on by Congress as
a peace measure, and is evidence TO the
country and 10 the orld that, however Wig
orously il may be deemed Just and proper TO
prosecute the war, while war or cause of war
exists, still the desire for honorable peace is
a sentiment strong rs ever with our Govern
ment; and this measure, recommended By
the President, is evidence that no intention
exists, in negotiating a peace, TO demand
| terms other than such rs are honorable both
to this country and to Mexico.
OF the causes of the war. or the manner in
which II commenced, il would scarcely be
proper for me now to speak even il it were.
these topics have been discussed al very con-
siderable length by these much more able to
elucdate them than | am. am one of those
who believe a war with Mexico was inevitable
after the annexation OF Texas, upon the terms
solicited by President Tyler, was consumma-
ted. Whether the alternative mode present
ed by Congress, or any other mode Of terms
would have avoided war, il is now, perhaps
useless TO inquire. The annexation of Texas
| 10 the United States was believed to be de
sired by the people of both countries, and
Texas was annexed. The right Of annexa-
| lion by TWO different nations cannot be ques
toned. Butte obtain possession Of Iamaul
pas and chihuahua, between the Nneces and
the Rio Grande, wherc the MericanS held dis
puted possession. and TO get Santa Fe. rhert
the Merican authorities and people held undis
pufed possession, the use of force was neces
sarv. The use of force between nations to
decide disagreement between them in war
The use Of force and Of military power was
necessary. | repeat. To expel the Mexican au-
thoriies from all of these provinces claimed
| by Texas, unless Mexico should coed them
by negotiation But Mexico not only refused
to abandon Tamaulipas and chihuahua, BE-
tween the Nueces and the Rio Grande. and
Santa Fe, or the north Of Texas, but she G.
ven asserted claim upon Texas itself, aud
declmed that the annexation of Texas to the
United States would be regarded by her as an
act of war on the part Of the United States
against Mexico. When measures for the
! annexation Of Texas were -adopied by ouI
Government, Mexico Withdrew her Minister
from Washington, refused to renew nesotia
tons, and prepared TO wage war. In The val
ley Of the Rio Grande, on the Texan side Of
that river, the armies OF the two nations met.
hostiiiiss commenced, and actual war was
waged. There can be no doubt Of what is the
duty ofevery good citizen of the United Stlte>
in state of war. The enemies of his conn
try shonld be his enemics-her friends his
friends. A cordial support and vigorous pros
ecution Of the war should he sustained " bile
the war lasts. The war should he terminated
whenever an honorable peace can be obtained.
ana not before
The bill VIII CT proposed, and still propose
| to introduce. looks to such termination Of
the war; While IFS first fearure-Ihe two
| million appropration-more clearly dTsclOses
what it would be in vain to deny, or attempt
to conceal, that the acquisition of territory, at
least the CALIFORNIA; and New Mexico. rs an
indemnify for the war, as well as for previous
wrongs and injuries against our Government
and citizens, will be insisted upon by the Gov
eminent Of the United States, but npon terms
liberal and honorable TO Mexico, il contains
also principle. i'll the provision proposed by
nav friend from Pennsylvania, more Important
than the war itself; principle with which
L,.. h..
nothing 10 do. and with which do not under
stand that it is proposed BY any body she
should have anything to do. II is no subject
of treaty stipulations unless the treaty making
powers of the two Governments shall, of their
own free will, choose to make II so. IL is d
question purely our own, and pertaining ex-
clusively to the United States. This princ
pie excludes slavery from any territory which
may hereafter be added to this country. This
principle deem to be 0fvital Importance, and
shall be much grdtiied If it could receive Inc |
unanimous assent of Congress. This, how
ever. do not expect. The same interest ThicL |
pertinGciously insisted upon extending sidrery |
orer T'erdS, still desires, / GjpTehfnd, lis fur |
Their ertensiJn. This should not he so. For
the furtherance Of slavery in the United States
the Government Of the Republic is not respon-
was colonies ofGreat Britain; and its caiSt-
ence is not question for the Government Of
the Union; it belongs exclusively for each
State for itself.
The bill proposed presents no question OF
il is the antagonist Of abolI-
tionism. denying any constitutional power in
The Federal Government 10 NEEDLE in any
way with the existence of slavery within the
limits of State. No free Stale in the In
ion has ever held or asserted the right or au-
thoriry of the Federal Government 10 abolish
or interfere with slavery in any State. But
while every free State has always maintained
and stands ready to maintain, the constitution
and all its compromises, it cannot he supposed
he people Of the free States will approve oil
the power of the Federal Government to ex-
lend indefinitely the institution of slavery O.
YER territory which is now free.-Wnh the
Of slavery the Congress OF the IN l
on can have nothing to do; but it would be
,r equally wide departure from the consritu-
ion, and from every sound principle upon