Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-03-17

d.
1t is by faith in the law Of strict Justice and
the practice of its precepts that nations alone
can be saved. AL the annals Of the human race
sacred and profane, are written over with this
great truth in characters of living light, 1t is
my fear, my fixed belief, that in this invasion,
this war with Mexico, we have forgotten this
vital. WHY'S it that we have been drawn into
this whirlpool of war How clear and strong
was the light that shone upon the path of duty
year ago! The lastdisturbing question with
England was setted-our power extended its
peaceful sway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
from the Alleghanes we looked out upon Eu-
rope, and from the tops ofthe Stony Mountains
we could descry the shores of Asia; a rich
commerce with all the nations of Europe pour
ed wealth and abundance into our lap on the
Atlantic side, while an unoccupied commerce
of three hundred millions Of Asiatcs waited on
the Pacific for our enterprise to come and pos
sess it. One hundred millions of dollars will be
wasted in this frutless war. Had this money
of the people been expended in making rail-
road from your Northern Lakes to the Pacific,
as one your citizens has begged of you in
| vain, you would have made highway tor the
world between Asia and Europe. Your CAPT
tai then would be within thirty or forty days
travel ofany and every point on the map of the
civilized world. Through this great artery of
trade you would have carried through the heart
of your own country the teas of China and the
spices Of India to the markets of England and
France. Why, why, President, did we aban-
don the enterprises of peace, and betake our
selves to the barbarous achievements of war
Why did we sslorsake this fair and fertile field
to batten on that moor e.
But, Mr.. President, if further acquisition of
territory is to be the result either of conquest
or treaty. then scarcely know which should
be preferred-eternal war with Mexico, or the
hazards ofinternal commotion at home, which
last fear mag come if another province is to
be added to our territory. There is one topic
connected with this subject which tremble
when approach, yet cannot forbear to notice
it. 1t meets you in every step you take, it
threatens you which way soever you go in the
propecution of this war. | allude to the ques-
tionof slavery. Opposition to its further ex-
tension, it must be obvious to every, one, is a
deeply-rooted determination with men of all
parties in what we call the -slaveholding
States. New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio
three of the most powerful, have already sent
their legislative instructions here-so it will be
doubt not, in all the rest. 1t is vain now to
speculate about the reason for this. Gentle
men of The South may call it prejudice, passion,
hypocrisy, fanaticism. shall not dispute with
them now on that point. The great fact that it
is so, and not otherwise, Is what it concers us
to know. You nor | cannot alter or change this
opinion if we would. These people only say
we will not, cannot consent that you shall car
nv slavery where it does not already exist
They do not seek TO disturb you IN that in
stitution, as it exists. They do not seek to dis
turb you in that instruction, it exists in your
States. Enjoy it if you will, and as you will.
This is their language, their determination =
How is il in the South! Can it be expected
that they should expenG in common, their blood
and their treasure,i in the acquisition of immense
territory, and then willingly forego the right
to carry thither their slaves, and inhabit the
conquered country if they please to do so
Sir, | know the feelings and opinions of the
South too we'll to calculate on this. Nay
| believe they would even contend to any ex-
tremity for the mere right, had they no wish
to exert it. / believe land | confess | tremble
when the conviction presses upon me) that there
| is equal obstinacy on both sides of this fearful
question.
If, then, we persist in war, which, if it termip-
ate in any thing short Of mere wanton waste
of blood as well as money, must end las the
bill proposes) in the acquisition of territory to
which at once this controversy must attach,
this bill would seem to be nothing less than a
| bill to produce internal connection. Should
we prosecute this war another moment, or ex-
| pend one dollar in the purchase CT conquest OF
single acre of Mexican land, the North are
brought into collision on a point where neither
will Weld. Who can foresee or foretell the
result Who so bold or reckless as to look
such conflict in the face unmoved do not
envy the heart of him who can realize the pos
sibility ofsuch a conflict without emotions too
painful to be endured. Why, then shall we,
the Representatives of the sovereign States of
this Union, the chosen guardians OF this con-
federated Republic, why should we precipitate
t his fearful struggle, by continuing war the
results of which must be to force us at once up
on it Z! Sir, rightly considered, this is treas on
to the Union, treason to the dearest interests,
the loftiest asprations,t the most cherished hopes
of our constituents. 1t is crime to risk the
possibility ofsuch a consent. 1t is crime of
such internal hue that every other in the cata-
logue of iniqutty, when compared with it, whit
ems into virtue.
Oh Mr.. President, it does seem to me, if hell
itself could yawn and vomit up the fiends that
inhabit its penal abodes, commissioned to dis
turb the harmony of this world, and dash the
fairest prospect of happiness that ever allured
the hopes of men, the first step in the consn-
nation of this diaboblical purpose would be to
light Up the fires ofinternal war and plunge the
sister States of this Union into the bottomess
gulf of civil strife. We stand this day on the
crumbling brink of that gulf-we see its bloody
eddies wheeling and boiling before us-shall
we not pause before it be too late How plain
again is here the path, may add, the only way
of duty, of prudence, of true patriotism. Let
US abandon all idea of acquiring further terrific
ry, and by consequence cease at once to prose-
cute this war. Let us call home our armies,
and bring them at once without our own &C
knowedged limits. Show Mexico that you
are sinceie when you say you desire nothing
by conquest. She has learned that she cannot
encounter you in war, and if she had not, she is
too weak to disturb you here. Tender her
peace, and, my life on it, she will then acceptlt
But whether she shall or not, you VIII have
peace without her consent. 1t is your invasion
that has made war, your retreat VIII restore
roaoa + Of nc thon close forever the approach