Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-07-16


this nation entertained an amicable feeling
toward her. In the second place, the army
of occupation and invasion were but %blunder-
ing messengers Of peace, and were SO consi-
dered by the Mexicans. Love was lost sight
of amid the smoke of the artillery. Peace
was aifrighted by the explosion ofbomb-shells.
Hatred grew strong, and all the evil passions
of the heart rioted amid scenes Of blood and
carnage. The path of the American army
through Mexico can be traced in human gore;
the monuments of its triumph are sacked CT
ties, conquered provinces, and highways
strown with bleaching bones. The invaders
have marched triumphsn,ly through the land,
and are even nov laundering at the very rates
of the Capitol they have slain thousands in
their progress, they have conquered tens Of
thousands, but have they conquered a peace!
No! Pence flies before the advance of the
American army. She is not to be CONQUERED
by cannon-balls and bon,b-shells; swords
and bay onets cannot subdue her.
Yet this nation may, if it wills so to do.
conquer a peace, a permanent peace, and that
right speedily; may convert the contempt
with which the world now regards her course
in relation to Mexico. into admiration and
praise. Let General Polk issue his orders
to his subalterns Scott and Taylor, directing
territory claimed by Mexico, dissolve the 60
vernments they have established, restore the
property they have taken, and release the pri-
soners they have captured. When this is
done, let the President and Congress send
there an agent with full power not only to
make peace, but to make due acknowledge
ment for all wrong this nation has inflicted
upon the citizens of Mexico. We can well
imagine how such an agent would be receiv-
ed. The withdrawal of the American troops
has prepared the way for his reception. The
dark-hued Mexicans gather round him in null
titudes. The intense hatred which burned
in their bosom against the invaders Of their
soil, has given place to establishment; their
eyes which so recently glared with the en-
element of battle, are now sparkling with
wonder, and they eagerly listen to learn what
he has to say.
He is about to speak.
Brethren, | come as agent of the govern
ment and people of the United States. ]
have been instructed by them to express TO
you the heartfelt regret which they feel be-
cause of the manifold injuries they have heap
ed upon you. Their eyes have been enlight-
ened to see the wickedness of their course,
and they have ~repented in sackcloth and ash
es of their injustice. They stand prepared
and anxious to make all reparation in their
power. For the property they have destroy
ed or appropriated to their W use, they will
compensate you four-fold its value. The fear
full destruction of human life of which they
have been guilty, their slaughter OF your sons,
your daughters, and your little ones, they
shudder to think of-they feel il would be
mockery to speak of reparation for such
wrongs, yet all that they can do to aid the
friends and relatives Of those whom they have
destroyed, shall gladly be done. Hereafter
they will regard the Republic of Mexico as
a n~eighbor whom they have deeply injured
and to whom much is therefore due. In the
social, commercial, and diplomatic intercourse
which, it is to be hoped, will speedily be es
tablished between the two counties, they vii
exercise a spirit Of Cancellation and the vi
most liberality. Brethren, the people of the
United States have sinned, deeply sinned
and while they confess their injustice and in
humanity, they ask of you to exercise the Di'
vine attribute of forgiveness, praying that the
past may be buried in oblivion, or remember
ed only as a stimulant to future goodness"
Were the people of America to thus speal
and thus act, they would most assuredly con
quer a peace from Mexico-a peace perma
nent in its character, which would need NJ
oaih-bound ratification, or any other recorl
save upon the hearts Of the people.