Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-02-04
Gov. BRIGGS on EIDE MEXIcAN

WAR, TEAAS AND SbAN Eh1.
Wergive below an extract from the
Message of the Governor of MassaeAu-
sets. The full and manly expression
that is here made, must receive meriled
commentator. Ifit be thought irrele-
want for Northern chief magistrate thus
to speak, let it be remembered how men
in office and stalionat the South, without
Distinction of party, speak. While the
Calhouns, the Me- Duties, and others,
lose no occasion of manifesiing d sleep
less concern for the institution of slavery,
its perpciuity and Wanted rights, and in
pursuance of this feeling, guard IT at
every point as cherished palladium, lei
not Northern official men quail, nor suffer
themselves 10 be forced into silence.
Il is time 10 speak, with no muffied notes
Says Gov. Briggs:
Twelve months ago, we were at pea ce
with the world. More than generate on
had passed away since we had been in
volved in hostilities with foreign coun-
try. The people of this republi: cher
ished the hope that the day was far DIS,
tant when the calamities Of war would
come upon them. In this they have been
disappointcd.
AT this time the soldiers of the North
American republic are in the heart Of a
neighboring and sister republic, doing
the deeds Of war; Their march has been
triumphant and in their conflict in arms
with their adversaries, they have exhib.
tied a firmness and heroic Valor that
would have done honor to the troops OF
any nation, in any age of the world YET
their victories have been costly ones
They have dearly purchased their gar
lands. Into them, the cypress is deeply
woven. TO say nolhingof the desoia!ioll
and misery which they, as an invading
army, have carried among The distracted
mis- governed and ill-fated people OF
Mexico, over whose country they have
marched with hostile feet, millions OF the
public treasure have been diverted from
the objects of peace 10 support them ia
their progress, and nu!ttudes OF their
brave com panions in arms, officers and
soldiers, have been brough, to their gra-
yes by disease, or fallen in battle.
The voice of widows and orphans, OF
parents sisters and friends, has been
heard in wailing through this peace
loving land. To whom belongs the
guilt of this unfortunate war? Conld it
have been prevented with justice and
honor to the two republics?
Are the ephemalal rulers Of Mexico,
who manifest neither patriotism to their
own people, nor disposition 70 observe
the treaty stipulations of their govern
ment with their neighbors. and who
appear and disappear, like the characters
in drama, responsible for its commence
ment, or was it brought on by the acts of
our own executive government, and is
the spirit of conquest one Gifts elements!
These are grave questions, and ought TO
be answered. Let that great public who
are involved in its consequences; and
who must answer for it at the tribunal OF
public opinion before the nations of the
earth, look into its origin, and its cause
with candid just, but unsparing scrutiny.
An offensive and unnecessary war IS the
highest crime which man can commit
against society. Appalling indeed will
DO the account which its guilty authors,
wherever they may be found, must rem.
der TO The injured people Of the two coun-
tries, and 10 the Suprsme Ruler of the
world, for such war, in this peaceful
era, when the spirit of Christianity is
difusng itself over the earth However
men may differ as % its origin or necessity
all must concur in the opinion that cv-
cry proper mems should be employed
10 bring it 10 speedy termination.
1t is too manifest 10 require an argu
mcnt, that the two important measures OF
which have spoken,--the revenue bill
of 1916, and the war with Mexico,-have
bt Tn poduced by, and are the results OF,
that extraordinary action Of the National
Legislature by which, in 1914, n foreign
republic was brought into this family of
States. The tariff bill passed the Senate
BY the votes Of the two Senators from the
State Of Texas, irrcgulariy, and, as be-
lisvc, unconsliluti onally introduced into
the Union.
The war grows out fthat act, and is,
on our part, to vindicato the unascertain-
ed and underlined boundary line between
Texas and the parent State ct which she
had declared herself ind ependynt. =
The motive which, with such undigri-
fed haste, annexed the State Of Texas TO
this republic, gives profound Importance
to the subject. That motive appears
with much clearnsss through most of the
published public documents in relation
to it, though in some parts of them there
is All effort TO conceal it. But one distin
guishcd public functionary to whose eff
cioncy its success is more 10 be at.ribu-
ted, perhaps, than to the efforts of any
other man. unwilling 10 conceal the truth,
publicly declared the measure to be nee.
essary 10 give permanency and security
to the institutions of the South. With a
manliness and holiness which belongs 10
his character, he proclaimed 10 the world
the reason which led TO this great enters
prise.
Since the consummation Of the act. he
has re.allirmed this motive under his own
hand, and said that its PRONUNCIATION
alarncd the friends OF The MEASURE at
the South, because it might drive their
friends ut the North, upon whose aid
they relied TO carry il, from its support.
Obtaining TO attain his object by indi-
rectinn he frankly declared il, and. al
tha,,oh n.,n no re- i'm both h,,usaO ~ Non