The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-07-09

nings OF history to pass US UNDECIDED by7
Rather let us act the part of wise men,
and profiting by the experience of the
past. so shape our W course as to avoid
the fatal errors which eventually blotted
out from the history of the earth the
names of nations.
lthas been humiliating and Notifying
to listen to the different pretexts that
have been assigned as the causes ofthis
war, while the true ones has been sedu-
lousy kept out ofsight; prominent among
which was the purpose of extending the
slave power. In view o fthe rapid and
alarming encroachments ofthe Executive
power, when we have seen whole pro.
vinces of a foreign country virtually an
nexed to our Union by the mere proc
lamations of military commanders, and
the will of One Man plunging us into a
war contrary to the wishes of the people;
is it not high time, Fellow Citizens, to
pause. consider and reflect Let US ask,
whittier are we tendingl wherefore do we
wage war; 1t may be answered to
conquer a peace" Do we really want
peacel Then why not negotiated Is
there no way to obtain peace but by the
force of arms? Must we drive to des-
Peration, and take away all means ofre.
sistance from our feeble Adversary Do
we wage war for indemnity? Mexico
was unable TO pay the paltry debt she al
ready owed to us. Will she be the more
able after we have forced her into an ex-
pensive and destructive war; Have we
indeed become so mercenary, as to be
willing to barter the precious blood of FOUR
countrymen for sordid goldl
For indemnify yes, that indemnity to
be derived from Decorating the temples
and robbing the affairs of religion. Infa-
nous proposition unworthy of a pro-
fessedly christian people! Advocating
ms we dofor all men,, freedom of opinion
and religious federation, and regarding
Them as the very corner stores Of our pc.
%litical edifices, we abhor and loathe the
heather and sacreligious spiritual would
for one moment harbor the thought or en-
terrain the purpose of Selling and ap-
propriating TO secular uses the properly
Of any church. If we would confer the
benefits of our institutions on Mexico,
why leave this out Of the cataloguel Is
it because of the kind or form of religion
her people profess? Or is it because
theirC lergy,i in common with their citizens,
presume TO defend their affairs and fire.
sides? In the darkest hours ofour slrug.
gle for Liberty and Independence, our
Ministers of Religion were found encour.
aging our fathers by their precept and
example. On the battle field they ex.
horted the living to valor and constancy;
they administered to the wants of the
wounded, and comforted the dying.
Such conduct in them we called patriot
ism; and we bless and venerate their
names. Perhaps religious freedom en-
tiers not into the creed ofthose who would
extend slavery at the expense ofhuman
liberty? Let those answer who have
brought upon us this war.
:, Are we fighting for conquest, and dc
we wish to subjugate Mexico? To what
E end? For what purpose2 Do we pro
! pose to conquer, and then anncr all Meal
co? lfso what position among our citi
a Gems is the mired population ofthat coun
try TO assume, when their territory shall
:, have been annexed to this Unionl Are
all than are citizens there, to enjoy the
rights of citizenship here? Is it to be free
. or slave territoryl These are Difficult
questions, involving pregnant consequent
ces. Who can answer them satisfactory
y ly? We very much fear they are to be
come subjects ofdiscord, contention ant
disunion between the States. Coz
- forbid but who can tell what time ma,
bring forthl OF one thing we are rer;
certain-the crisis demands wisdom AM
frmness.
At the adoption of the Federal consti
r tuition, it cannot be reasonably doubted
that the trainers of that instrument neve
believed or expected that slavery woul'
O ever extend beyond the limits in whicI
they then placed it; but that it woul,
k gradually die out, under the benign in
huence Of our free institutions. And at
IN later period, when this vexed questio
IF threatened danger to the Union, in a spil
q it of reconciliation, further concession
were made; and this subject it was fondl
k hoped Goreper put to rest. But again ha
% the slave power extended itself in the ar
"a nexation of Texas; and 80 far as we ca
Judge, seeks still further to extend it
% dominion by the acquisition ofMexica
r. territory-or at least to make this dau
g gerous subject subserve party purpose
d in the election of President.
d And while we have submitted to tn
d compromise on the subject, and are sti'
willing to adhere TO it, and while we en-
j. entirely disclaim any disposition or de
sire to interfere where slavery exists
d this feeling must not be mistaken for in
> difference. If one ofthe parties absolv
h itself from the contract, surely it SHOULD
v not be considered as binding on the othe
70 And in that case, this aohOle question ofe,
tension or restriction inevitably become
d. an open one, in every respect. We wis
is to avoid this condition of things, as on
a of danger and difficulty. We are oppo'
le to acquisition aud annexation of terrific
at ny in any manner and under any pretenc
20 whatever-and as citizens Of Free Stat
Of ae viH never consent to a further ertensiC
II; of Slavery. If this exciting question is
m ba throUn into the n%olitical arena. if il