Democratic banner., 1847-12-20
rContiuued from 9TH page.1

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she'd in the prosecution Of the war. This
consideration, and the obstinate persever
ance of Mexico in protracting the war
must influence the terms Of peace which i
may be deemed proper hereafter TO accept
Oar arms having been everywhere ~rictori'
oas-having subjected, to our military DC,
~cupation, a large portion of the enemy:
country, including his capital, and negotia
tons for peace having failed, the important
question arises, in what manner the wal
ought to be prosecuted and what should be
our future policy? / cannot doubt, thai
we should secure and render available The
~conquests we have already made, and thai
for THIS purpose, we should hold and occu'
pv, by our naval and Military forces, all the
forts, towns, cities aad provinces now ~
our occupation, or which may hereafter i2U
into our Professionalism we should press
forward otir military operations. and levy
such military contributions on the enemy
as may, as far as practicable, defIay the fu-
ture expenses of the war.
Had the government of Mexico acceded
to the favor Ible and liberal terms proposed,
that mode of adjustment would have been
preferred. Mexico having declined 10 do
this, and failed to offer any other terms
which would be accepted by the U. States,
the national honor, no less than the public
interest, requires that the war should be
prosecuted with increased energy and pow
er, until a just and satisfactory peace can
be obtained.
In the meantime, as Mexico refuses all
indemnify, we should adopt measures to in
demnify ourselves, by apprcpriating per-
manently a portion Of her territory.
Early after the commencement of the
war, New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA; were
taken possession of by our forces. Our
military and naval commanders were or
dersd to conquer and hold them, subject to
be disposed Of by a treaty of peace.
These provinces are now in our undispu-
ted occupation, and have been so for many
months. All resistance on the part of
Maxico having ceased within their limits, |
aMeatisfed that they should never be sur
concur with me in this opinion, and that
they should be retained by the United States
as indemnity, I can perceive no good rea-
son why the civil jurisdiction of laws of the
u. s. should not at once be extended over
them.
To wait for a treaty of peace, such as
we are willing to make, by which our rela-I
tons to them would not be changed, can
not be good policy, whilst our interests and
that Of the people inhabiting them, require
that a stable, responsible and free govern
ment, under our authority, should, be, as
soon as possible, established over them
Should Congress- determine to hold these
provinces permanently, and that they shall
hereafter be considered constituent parts
Of our country, the early establishment of
territorial government over them will be
important for the more perfect protection of
persons and property, and l recommend
that such territorial governments be estab-
lished. It will promote peace aid tranquil
ty among the inhabitants, by allaying all ap-
%PreheRsion that they may entertain of be-
ing subjected again to the jurisdiction of
Mexico. invite early and favorable con-
sideration of Congress to this important!
subject.
Besides New Mexico and California,
there are other Mexican provinces which
have been reduced to our possession byI
conquest. These other Mexican provincesI
are now governed by our military and ma
val commanders, under the general authori-
ty which is conferred upon a conqueror by
the laws Of war. They should continue toI
be held as a means of coercing Mexico to-
accede to just terms Of peace. Civil, as
we'll as military officers, are required to-
conduct such a government. Adequate
compensation, to be drawa from contribu-
lions levied On the enemy, should be fixed
by law for such officers as may be thus en-
ployed. What further may become n~eces-
sary, and what final disposition it may be
proper to make of them, must depend on
the future progress Of the war, and the
course Mexico may think proper hereafter
to pursue.
With the views I entertain, / cannot ia
Vor the policy which has been suggested,
either to withdraw our army altogether, or
to retire to a designated line and simply
hold and defend il. To withdraw our army
altogether from the conquests they have
made, by deeds of unparalleled bravery,
and at the. expense of SO much blood and
treasure, in a war just on our part, and one
which, by the act Of the enemy, we could
not honorably have avoided, would be to-
degrade the nation in its own estimation