The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-27

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
The day is dark and gloomy, unsettled an,
uncertain, like the condition Of our country, in
regard to the unnatural war with Mexico. Tn,
public mind is agtated and anxious, and is filles
win serious apPrehe nsons as TO its indie finit,
continuance, and especially as 10 the conse
que which liz termination may bring forth
me nacing the harmony, if not the existence, o.
our Union.
1t is under these circumstances, L prese nj
myself before you. No ordinary occasion
would have drawn me from The retirement ia
which | live; but. whilst a single pulsation Of
tne human heart remains, il should, il necessa.
ry, be dedicated to the service of ones country
And have hoped that, although am private
and humble citizen, an expression of the view,
and opinions entertain. might form some lit.
| tie addition 10 the general stock Of information
and afford a small assistance in delivering ouI
country from the Perils and dangers which sur
| round il.
have come here with no purpose to attemp,
70 make ilne speech, or any ambitious orator..
cai display have brought with me no rhe-
torcal bouquets to throw into this assemblage
In the cirlee OF the year, autumn has come,
and the season Of flowers has passed away
In the progress Of years, my spring time has
gone by, and too am in the autumn Of life,
and feel the frost Of age. My desire and aim
ATE 10 address you, earnestly, calmly, serions-
ly and plainly, upon the grave and nome ntous
subjects which have brought us together. And
am most solicitous that not a solitary word
nay fall from me offensive to any party or per.
son in the whole extent Of the union.
War, pestilence. and famine, by the common
consent OF mankind, are the three greatest ca
ismlties which can befall our species; and, war,
as the most direful, justly stands foremost and
In front. Peslilence and famine, no doubt for
wise although inscrutable purposes, are inflic-
Tons OF Providence, 10 which il is our duty
therefore to bow with obedience, humble sub
mission and resignation. Their duration is not
long, and their ravages are limited. They bring,
indeed, great afllietIon whilst they last, bu, So
ciety soon RECEIVERS from their effects. War 10
The voluntary work Of our own hands, and
whatever reProaches it may deserve should be
directed TO ourselves. When il breaks out, its
duration is indefinite and unknown-its vicissi-
| tudes are hidden from our view. In the sacri-
flee Of human life, and in the waste Of human
treasure, in its losses and in its burthens, it
affects both belligerent nations; and its sad eff
fects OF mangled bodies, Of death, and of DESC
iatons endure long after its thu nders are hushed
Ia peace. War unhinges society, disturbs its
peaceful and regular industry, and scatters
poisonous seeds Of disease and immortality, w hich
continue TO terminate and diffuse their baneful
| influence long after it has ceased. Dazzling by
It's glitter, Pomp, and pageantry, it begets a
spirit Of wild adventure and romantic enter
prize, and often disqualiies those who embark
IN II, after their return from the bloody fields
Of battle, from engaging in the industrious and
peaceful vocations Of life.
We are informed by statement which is ap
parently correct, that the number Of our coun-
trymen slain in this lsmentabIs Mexican war,
although II has yet been Of only Is months ex-
lsience, is equal to one half Of the whole Of the
American loss during the seven years war OF
the Revolution: And l venture 10 assert that
the expenditure Of treasure which it has occa-
| stoned, when il shall come fairly to be aser-
tanned and footed up, will be foand to be more
than half Of the pecunlary cost Of the war OF
our independence. And this is the condition OF
the party whose arms have been every where
and constantly victorious!
How did We uuhappily get involved in this
war; 1t was predicted as the consequence ofthe
| anne xation Of Texas 10 the United States. II
We had not Texas, we should have war
The people were told that il that event happen
ed, war woald ensue. They were told that the
war between Texas and Mexico had not been
! terminated by treaty Of peace; that Mexico
still claimed Texas as a revolted province; and
that, IL we received Texas in our Union, we
took along with her, the war existing between
her and Mexico. And the Minister Of Mexico
| formally announced to the Government at
W ashington, that his nation would consider the
| annexation OF 4 exas TO the United States as
producing a state Of war. But all this was de-
MED by the partizans Of annexation. They in
sisted we should have no war, and even impu-
ted those who fOretold it sinister motives for
their groundless prediction.
But, notwithstanding state of virtual war
tiyr I'd h. fiat of
ton of one Of the beligerents to the U. States
actual hostilities might have been probably
averted by prudence, moderation and wise
craftsmanship. IL General Taylor had been
permitted TO remain, where his own good sense
prompted him to believe he ought TO remain, at
the point of Corpus Christi; aud, if a negotia-
ito hac been opened with Mexico, in a true
spirit Of amty and concillation, war possibly
might have been prevented. But, instead OF
this pacific and moderate course, whilst Mr.. Sill
dell was bending his way 10 Mexico with his
diplomatic credentials, General Taylor was or
dered to transport his cannon, and to plant
them, ia a warlike attitude, opposite to Mata-
moras, on the east bank of the Rio Bravo, with
in the very disputed territory, the adjustment
| Of wacb was TO be the object of Mr.. SlidelPs
mission. What else could have iranspired but
a conflict of armsl
Thus the war commenced. aud the President. after
having produced H. appealed to Congress. bill was
proposed to raise $1,000 volunteers and in order 10
init all who should vote for it, preamble was inserted
falsely attributag the commencement Of the war to The
act Of Mexico have doubt Of the patriotic motives OF
those after struggling divest the bill Of that flag
ranI error founf themselves constrained TO vote for H.
Hut must say thn earthly consideration would have
tempted or provoked me to vote for bill, WIN
pspsbe faiseho0d stamped on us lace Almost doll
zing TRUTH do, could have voted for
thai bill.
The exceptionabIe conduct Of the Federal
party, during the last British War, has excited
an influence in the prosecution Of the present
war, and prevented Just discrimination be-
tween the two wars. That was a war of Ma
tional defence, required for the ylndicatlon OF
the National rights and honor, and demanded by
the indignant voice Of the People. President
| Madison himself, | know, at first, reluctantly
ano with great doubt and hesitation, brought
| himself 10 the conviction that II ought TO be
declared. A leading and perhaps the most in
| fuential member Of his Cabinet. Mr.. Gala
tim was, up to the time Of its declaration, OPP
| posed to il. But nothing could Withstand the
| irresistible force Of public sentiment. II was a
Just war, and its great object, as announced al
| the time, was, Stree Trade and Saors' Rights,
| against the intolerable and oppressive acts OF
British power on the ocean. The justice Of the
war, far from being denied or controverted, was
admitted by the Federal party, which only ques-
/ toned il on considerations of policy. Being
deliberately and constitutionaly declared, IL was
think, their duty to have given to 1t their hear
| ty corporation. But the mass of them did not
| They continued to oppose and thwart II, TO dis
| COURAGE loans and enlistments, TO deny the pow
| ar Of the General Government TO march the
militia beyond our limits, and to hold Hart
| ford Convention, which, whatever We're its real
objects, bore the aspect Of seeking dissolution
Of the Union itself. They lost, and justly lost
the public confidence. But has not an aPpre-
henson of a similar fate, in state OF case wide
| Nv different, depressed fearless expression o.