The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-04

lot was immense sacrifice of life, heavy ant
intolerable burdens, and the ultimate loss OF
liberty ITSELF
That the power of the u. States is compc
tent to the conquest of Mexico is quite proba
BILE. But it could not be achieved wihou
frightful carnage, dreadful sacrifices of hu
man life, aud the creation of an onerous ma
tional debt; nor could il be completely effec
ted, in all probability, until after the lapse OF
many years. 1t would be necessary to occu
py all its strongholds,to disarm its Inhabitants
and to keep them in constant fear and subjec
ton. To consummate the work, presume
that Standing Armies not less than hun
dred thousand men, would be necessary, to
be kept perhaps always in the bosom ofthelI
country. These standing armies reveling IN
foreign land, and accustomed to trample
upon the liberties ola foreign people, al some
distant day, might be fit and ready instru-
ments under the lead of some daring and UNI
principled cheftain, TO return to their coun-
try and PROSTATE the public liberty.
Surprising the conquest to be once made,
whit is to he done with it? Is it to be gov
erned, like Roman Provinces,by Proconsuls'
Would it be compatible with the genius, char
acter and safety of our free institutions, to
keep such great country as Mexico, with a
population Of not less than nine millions, in a
state ofconstant military subsection?
Shall it he annexed 10 the United Statess
Does any considerate man believe il possible
that two such immense countries,wlth terri
tories ofnearly equal extent, with populations
so incongruous, so different in race, in Ian
guage,in religion & in laws, could be blended
together in one harmonious mass,and happi-
ly governed by one common authority? Muir
murs, discontent, insurrectlons, rebellion would
inevitably ensue until the incompatible parts
would be broken asunder and possibly in the
frightlul struggle, our present glorious Union
itself would be discovered or dissolved. We
ought not to forget the warning voice Of all
history, which teaches the difficulty of com
bining and consolidating together, conquer
ing and conquered nations. After the lapse
of eight hundred years, during which the
Moors held their conquest of Spain, the in
dornitable courage, perseverance and obslina-
cy of the Spanish race finally trumphed over
and expelled tile African invaders from the
Peninsula. And even within our own time,
the colossal power of Napoleon, when at its
loftiest hight, was incompetent 10 subdue and
subjugaie the proud Castilian. And here in
our own neighborhoUd, Lower Canada, which
near one hundred years ago, after the con-
clusion ofthe seven years. War, was coded by
France to Great Britain, remains foreign
land in the midst of the British provinces,
foreign in feelings and attachment, and foreign
in laws, language and religion. And what
has been the fact with poor, gallant, generous
81 oppressed Ireland? Centuries have passed
since the overbearing Saxon overran and
subdued the Emerald Isle. Rivers of Irish
blood have flowed, during the long and ardu-
Gus contest. Instruction and rebellion have
been the order of the day; and yet, up 10 this
time, Ireland remains alien in feeling, aifec-
lion and sympathy toward the power which
LasS har Eyaru Irish
MAJ; hates. with mortal hatred, his Saxon
opprcssor. klthough there are great terrific
rial differences between the condition of Eng
land and Ireland, as compared to that OF the
United States and Mexico, there are some
points Of striking resemblance between thetn'
Both the Irish and the MeXIcans are prGha-
ably of the same Celtic race. Both the Eng
fish and the Americans are of the same Sax
on origin. The Catholic Religion predomi-
mates in both the former; the Protestant
among both the latter. Religion has been the
fruitful cause ofdissatisfaction and discomfort
between the Irish and English nations. Is
there no reason to apprehend that it would
become so between the people of the
United States and those of Mexico, ifthey
were united together? why should we seek
TO interfere with them in their mode of wor
ship ola common Saviour? We believe that
they are wrong especially in the exclusive
character of their faith, and that we are right
They think that they are right and we wrong.
What other rule can there be than to leave
the followers of each religion to their own
solemn conviction of conscientious duty tow
ard God? Who, but the great Arbter of the
Universe, can judge in such question? For
my own part, sincerely believe and hope
that those who belong to all the departments
of the great Church of Christ, it, in truth and
~ IritI thay rnu(nrrn m tho 1nnfrinpS which
they profess, will ultimately secure an abode
in those regions of bliss which all aim finally
to reach. think tina, there is no potentate in
Europe, whatever his religion may be, more
enlightened or at this moment so interesting
as the liberal head of the Papal See.
But suppose it to be impossible that those
who favor, ifthere be any who favor, the an
nexation of Mexico to the United States, can
think that it ought TO be perpetually govern
ed by military sway. Certainly no votary
of human liberty could deem il right that
violation should be perpetrated of the great
principles of our own Revolution, according
to which, laws ought not to be enacted and
taxes ought not to be levied, without repre-
sentation on the part of those who are to
obey the one and pay the other. Then,
Mexico is 10 participate in our councils and
equally share in our legislation and govern
ment But, suppose she would not volunta-
riy choose representatives to the National
Congress, is our soldiery TO follow the elect
ors to the ballot box, and by force to compel
them, at the point of the bayonet, to deposit
their ballots? And how are the nine millions
of Mexican people 70 be represented in the
Congress ofthe United States of America,
81 the Congress ofthe U. States ofthe Repub-
lie of Mexico combined? Is every Mexican,
without regard to color or caste, per capitum
to exercise the elective franchise? How is
the quota of representation between the two