The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-26


waged and prosecuted
5ih. Thatil is the right aud duty OF Con
gress TO announce 10 the nation for what
objects the present war shall be longer con
tiaued; thatit is the duty Of the President,
10 the exercise of all his official functions, TO
conform to and carry ont this declared Will
of Congress, by the exercise, il necessary,
ofall the high powers with which he is
clothed; and that, il he fail or refuse TO do
so. it becomes the Imperative duty OF Con-
gress to arrest the further progress Of the
war by the most cffectual means 10 its pow
ser
Let Congress announce to the nation the
objects for which this war shall be further
protracted aud public suspense and public
inquietude will no longer remain. II it is
to be war Of conquest OF all, or any part
of Mexico, let the people know it, and they
will be no longer agitated by dark and
uncertain future. But, although might
have orborne to express my opinion what
ever a 10 the purposes and objects for which
the war should be continued, have not
thought proper to conceal my opinions,
whether worth any thing or not, from the
public examination. Accordingly have
stated
9th. That it seems to me thar it is the
duty ofour country, as well on the score Of
moderation and magnanimity, as with the
view Of favoiding dscord and discomfort al
home, to abstain from seeking 10 conquer
and annex to the Uuited States, Mexico or
any part oft; and especially to disabuse the
public mind in any quarter OF the Union of
the impression, if it any where exists, that
desire for such conquest is che rished,
for the purpose ofpropagating or extending
slavery.
Ihave embodied, Mr.. President aud fel
low citizens, the sentiments and opinions
which have endeavored to explain and
enforce, in series Of resolutions, which
beg now to submit to your consideration
and judgment. They are the following:
/. Resoived, AS the opinion OF this NEE
ting, that the primary cause of the present
unhappy war, existing between the Uni
ted States of America, and the United
States oflhe Republic Of Mexico, was the
annexation of Texas tothe former;and that
the immediate occasion Of bostilities be-
tween the two republics arose out Of the
order ofihe President Of the United States
for the removal of the army under the com
mand of Gen. Taylor, from its position at
Corpus Christi, to point oppositet TO Mata-
tnoras, on the Fast bank ofthe Rio Bravo,
within territory claimed by both Republics,
but then under the jurisdiction Of that of
Mexico, and inhabited by its citizens; and
that the order Of the President for the re-
moval of the army to that point wasimprovl-
dent and unconstitutional, it being without
The concurrence of Congress, or even any
consultation with it. although it was in ses-
sion; but that Congress having, by subse-
quent acts recognized the war thus brought
into existsnce without its devious anthori
iy or consent, the prosecution oil II became
thereby National.
z Resoiped, That in the absence OF any
formal and public declaration by Congress
OF the objects for which the war ought to
be prosecuted, the President Of the United
States. as Chief Magistrate and Comman-
der in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States, is left to the guidance Of his
own judg ment TO prosecute ii for such pur-
poses and objects as he may deem the
honor and interests ofthe nation /" require
3. Resoived, That by the Constitution o.
the United States, Congress, being invested
with power to declare war, and grant let
ters OF marque and repTisal, TO make rules
concerning CT otures on land and water, to
raise and support armies, 10 provide ant
maintain navy, and to make rules for the
government of the land and naval forces
has the lul and complete war making pow
er oi the Uaited States; aud so possessing
it, has ri ght to determine upon the mo
tives, causes and objects of any war, wher
il commences, or al any time during its ex
istence.
4. Resoiued, as the further opinion 0
this meeting, that it is the right and dutl
OF Congress to declare, by some auihenti,
act, for whal purposes and objects the exs
ting war ought to be further prosecuted; tha
it is the duty OF the President, in his oiticia
conduct, to conform TO such declaration
of Congress- aud that, if, after such dec
laration. the President should decline or re
fuse to endeavor, by all the means, ,ciyil,diplo
matte, and military, in his power, to exc
cute the announced will Of Congress, aud
in defiance OF its authority, should conIin
ue TO prosecute war for purposes and oh
iccis other than those declared by hat body
il would become The right and duty of Con
gress TO adopt the most efficacious measure
10 arrest the further progress OF the wal
taking care to make ample provision for til
honor, the safety and security of our armie
in Mexico, in every contingency. And,
Mexico should decline or refuse to conclud
treaty with us, stipulating for the purpc
ses and objects SO declared by Congress,
would be the duty Of the Government
prosecute the war to the utmost vigor. unit
they we're attained by a treaty of peace.
$. Resoiued, That we view with seriol
alarm, and are utterly opposed TO any pu
pose of annexing Mexico to the Unite
States, in any mode, and especially by col
oiest; that we believe the two nations cou
not be happily governed by one common at
thor,iy, owing to their great difference
race, law, language, and religion. aud I'll
vast extent OF their respective territorie
and large amount Of their respective pop'
lalions; that such union, against the Col
sent Of the exasperatcd Mexican peopl
could only be affected and preserved by lar!
standing armies, and the constant applic
tion ofmilitary forco--ih olhcr words
despotic sway exercised over the Mexict
people, in the FIRST instance, but which the
would be just cause to apprehend, might,
process OF lime, be extended over the pc
ple OF the United States. That we depr
cate, therefore, such a union as wholly i
compatible with the genius Of our Cover
nrSnt, and with the character ofirce al
liberal institutions; and we anxiously. no