Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-01-01

md if we 90 on cononerinp to conquer friends who
anticipating such tdr0rdJie results from tiie acq-
sition OF southern territory may ind when IL Is 700
late, that their 10Y may be turned into mourning, ana
eirnirth into heavlncss. They may ma hEltatohs
at home more to be dreaded than the armies oil santa
Anna, aud connections IN the inldsi OF them more sa
Culinary than the revolutions in Mexico. 1hey may
find that "conuuering n peace" abrOad may disturb
harmony at home, and that dsmcmberlng one kepno-
lie may rupture another. II we are to rush madly INTO
foreign conqucss, we may bring upon our o" country
evils which no patriot can contemplate but with tears
That the present OF conquest there can be
no question. The letter which has been read this
norning-adlressed u Co. Stevenson by the Secre-
tary of War-pus that question beyond all manner OF
doubt That letter is well understood by the public
and gloss it you will, it amounts Substantially
to this Mexico must be d7tnemoer'd either by war OF
by revolution. \ regiment OF armed cmlgrants must
be sent California they must be enlisted with an
express condition that they are not to return home
they will be sent into California to remain during the
If that province falls into our hands during the
war, is the return OF peace, they are to re-
main in that country fnot, Thy will, of the concu
sion of the war, be marched Just across the line into
Oregon and be discharged, with the express under
standing that they will Immediately return to Caor-
mia, raise the standard OF revolt declare theseiv IN
dependent and, Texnslike, be annexed to the United
States. Such beyond controversy, was the design OF
that enterprise and it shows how low weak or
wicked Administration may stoop. We were deal
| ing with the Power before which the President was
disposed to quail i'll the settlement III the Oregon qhes-
ton the Administration after the return OF peace,
might be called upon for an explannton, such letter
as that of Secretary Marcy should come their knowl
edge and have reference any of their possessions
The newly organized governments in New Mexico
and California, under the direction OF the Executive,
no doubt shows the object for which the war Is prose-
cutcd
But the President assures TINT he does not wish
70 dsincmber Mexico, and is ready to make peace.
Bat on what terms Mexico, are told, must pay
the expenses OF the Now, every one knows the
poverty OF That stractcd country. Her finances are
SO deranged TINT she is scarcely able 10 support her
army in the field 50 poor that the main hope OF the
return OF peace il founded upon her inability to sup
port the war Does the President believe that Mexico
cln pay rs fifty millions OF moncyto reimburse us ioi
the expenses OF the war Does he not know her uttel
inability TO meet such demand in specie Did he moi
inform us, in mis- two million message, that Mckee
was poor that she could not conveniently wait I'll
the treaty ratified, and, therefore he desired the
two millions to be able to pay her IN advance &
keep her army quiet until we could recall our troops
McXico pnv the cxuclse of the war This amounts tC
declaration that she must yield up her terrory-tht
only means of payment at her disposal. Aud so in
tent is the President upon despoiug Mexico oi posses
SONS, that he has declared to the world that ne Wi
prosecute the with ygor that he will consent t.
no arnsticc, but will continue the work OF butchcrl
and conquest even after treaty OF peace shall hav
been signed by both nations This avowal was dis
: tlncty made III his two million mcssage-an avowu
worthy only OF the ages Of barbnIisn Ii this admi
nistaton is not checked in its mad career if the Pre-
sdent is allowed to exercise any and every powe
whch may further his ambitions designs, the day
not tar distant when free Government will eXis
only in name Shall he be permitted to 90 on wlthou
rcbuhe, or shall the Peoples Representatives assc
their right 1t Is true that all who speak freely will
branded as traitors but the People will decide whcthC
, devotion to our country may not be cltctuaIly
= hiblted in defending our constitution as il tlamplng
n under foot.