Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-10-13
From the Nashville Union.
Another DOniphan come to judy
mcnt.

! Col. Curtis, OF the Ord Ohio Regiment,
recently returned from Mexico, where he
rendered distinguished service, having
learned how to dispose Of the Mexicans
in their country, has concluded to try his
skill upon their friends in this country;
and, judging by the CONSERVATION which
his remarks have created in the ranks OF
federalism, his best hopes have been full
filled. Co. Curtis is, or was member,
and very leading member, too, ofthe op-
position party in Ohio, and claimed the right
to speak to his former friends. In his
speech at the public dinner given to him
sci: and command at Wooster, on Satur.
day, the 18th Of August, he used language
against the enemies of the war of the most
powerful character. Let US contrast it
with the present view of the federal press
on the same subject
The federal papers say that the war is
unjust, that it is the Presidents war, and
that it was commenced by the act of Mex
leo. Colonel Curtis says:
"This war has been called the 'Presi-
dents war; the war of Congress- but it
was neither. 1t was the war ofthe whole
people of the United States against the
people and republic Of Mexico. One
whole people against another. Chancel-
Tor Kent says: Every man is, in judg
ment OF law, party to the acts OF his
own government; and war between the
/ ,Yp ant of f,vn 1c ha
tween all the individuals of one and all
the individuals of which the other nation
is composed The constituted authori-
ties of our country had declared, by an
! almost unanimous vote, That tie war er-
listed by the act Of .Mrico;; and from that
moment our relations changed from friends
to enemies, and it is the duty OF every good
citizen and lover of our glorious land to
sustain, with all his might, his country in
any war in which she might be engaged.
"Some said this war had been com
menced by invading Mexico. Was Tex.
as Mexico? The first act acas done By
.Merico. She Withdrew her minister,
which, according to the law Of nations, is
breach OF the peace, and threatened war.
Arista crossed the Rio Grande before
General Taylor advanced from Corpus
Christi, declaring, in behalf Of his gov
ernment that he would make war, and
drive every person across the Brazos; and
this, upon their part, was war, as much
as the conflict OF arms at palo Alto and
Resaca; and for him it was enough that
the government had declared war by
its constituted authorities. He had. by
| that government, been educated a soldier;
and although he deplored war as scourse
of mankind, yet it could not always be
avoided; and, finding his government en-
gagged in a war which he believed J JUST,
! he had rendered his services, and, TO the
best Of his ability, be had done his duty
He owed the government all he had done;
yet ready and anxious to serve his coun-
try"
| The North American says it is war
To extend slavery; but Col. Curtis says:
The war has been deno,ninated a war
to extend slavery. This cannot be true,
for slavery will be circumvented-it can
not exist there i,om natural causes. Nine
tenlhs Of the inhabitants Of the country
are now slaves (peons) 10 the rich. living
in TIE most abject and hopeless state Of
ignorance and degradation
THE whis papers say this is war for
territory and spolia'ion; but Col. Curtis
Gays:
The wealth of Mexico is in her mines:
and if the United States ever get iudem
nifty, it must be from her mines. Bat
this war is not for territory or indemnity,
but it was war for peace. The Mex,-
cans had been rob5lng our citizens and
plliering our vessels for the last twenty
years, and had broken the peace; and it
is the duty Of our government one which
they Cannot avod-to avense the numer-
Gus foul wrongs done our country, and
bring about all honorable peace in the most
speedy manner possible"
Here is passsge for general appica-
ton, as the reader chooses:
You cannot make peace by recalling
cur army; :or if you should do so, you
would soon have to reconquer all the ter.
ri,ory we now hold. Better far throw
large army into the country-mahe ii
Il uur of conquesl-take possession Of
the whole coun,ry--keep it---govern
it, or compel them to come to perma.
nent and reliable terms of peace. There
was 10 use in idling with such people;
they must be taught 10 respect the rights
of their neighbors; and to such a result
he declared himself in favor Of the most
vigorous prosecution of the war, anu tie
subuga,ion Of the whole country, il they
would not come 10 terms otherwise. He
did not wish to deny 10 any citizen the
right of discussing the acts OF government:
yet it appeared TO him that opposition to
the vigorous prosecution Of the war would
lead the Mexicans TO suppose that they
might make easier terms y
From a later number Of the Ohio States.
man, we observe that this gallant soIdi-,
is not vet tired of doing good; for on Thurs
day evening the 18th of August, he gave
the feds of Mansfield tomahawking, tt
which his former effort at Wooster was
child's play. Among other things, he al