The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-12-11

country, Inat lne Peopte may 10 liiaue
to see and feel the evils which their rul.
ers have brought upon them, and cree,
and maintain a government that will
conclude a peace upon just and honor.
able terms. That to this end we hold
i: to be the duty of Congress to appro.
pirate the necessary means and militia.
ry force-confdenlIy relying, as we do
upon the ability of our country to pro-
vide the one, and the patriotism Of oui
people to furnish the other.
Resolved. That as the result of this
war, we hold that peace will alone be
honorable which shall vindicate the JUS
tice of our cause, and the rightfulness
Of our claim-exact remuneration for
wrongs heretofore committed upon our
citizens -require indemnity for the ex-
penses Of a war that has been thrust
upon us land guarantee the protection
of our citizens, and the observance of
treaties, and the provisions of the laws
of nations in the future.
RESOLVED. That we utterly repudiate
the idea of withdra wing our army from
active operations in Mexico,untiI peace
shall be definitely made upon just and
honorable terms. That we should re-
gard such a measure in advance of, or
pending negotiations, as the extreme OF
f~olly--as it would necessarily rest upon
Mexican faith, which we have been
taught by experience is not 10 be res
pected, and in its execution would az.
ford to Mexico an opportunity which
she would promptly embrace, to recu-
perate her energies,and instead of treat
ing with US, to leave us where we be-
gan, requiring US to fight again our bat
ties, and win, with more Of blood and
treasure, the advantages once so bril-
liantly obtained, only to be foolishly
abandoned.
ResolUed, That the weakness of a
nation does not en,itle it TO disregard
The 'sacred rule Of right,"-to violate
all laws that govern the intercourse Of
nations,--to treat as of no binding force
or effect the stipulations OF treaties,--
to outrage the protection afforded by
the flag Of 0 neighboring and peaceful
Republic,-to commit itself, or counte-
nance in its hords of banditti, leagued
with its public authorities. robbery Of
the peaceful navigators of its waters,
or traders within its limits, and give
their bodies to its dungeons, or the lar
lat or %stiletto of its assassins; and that
those who, in view of the long suffer-
ance of this country, and the equally
long catalogue of Mexican infringe
ments upon u rights, and plumber and
murder of our citizens, now that she
has became the aggressor in arms,plead
her weakness against our strength,
with equal justice and propriety,
plead the weakness of the convicted
highwayman or midnight assassin. a.
gainst the power and majesty OF the
of the land.
Resolved, That we spurn all imputa.
tons of improper or unworthy motives
as prompting our advocacy Of the war,
and the support we extend to the cause
OF the country;-and especially that SO
freely used for political effect, Of seek
ing the acquisition Of territory for the
extension OF slavery. That if Mexico
can make us reparation in money for
the demands we ~rightfully hold against
her, honesty and good faith will require
US to receive it. lfnot, and she cede
us territory therefor, we shall esteem
that acquisition a fortunate one for all
the great interests of u country,
which extends our frontier, in that d.
rection. to the Pacific Ocean. We
have none Of those fears which haunt
the imaginations Of political alarmists,
that danger is to be a%pprehended to our
Union from an enlargement Of its bor-
ders, or an extension of its blessings
and usefulness;--whilst territory so ac-
CURED, being now free, as well be-
cause of the settled law Of the land, as
declared by the Supreme Court of the
United States, that Congress has no
Constitutional powerto engratt slavery
upon it, as the fixed determination Of
a large majority of the people,not only
in the free, but, as we believe, in the
slaveholding States, not to permit such
a change to be made; such territory
would, and should ever remain dedica-
ted to free institutions. W. have no
fears in trusting Congress with the ex-
ercise Gifts constitutional powers, or
the people with the assertion and main
lenance Of great principles, whenever
the crisis shall so require.
RESOLVED, That the whole country
has just cause Of pride in the gallant
conduct and brilliant achievements of
our army in Mexico. Applause is in
adequate to do justice to the one, or
equal the glory Of the other. While
the country has mausoleums for the