The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-21
THE GALAXY.
MIDDLEBURY.VT.
Tuesday, Dec. Il, l847.
MR.. GALLATIN ON THE WAR.


ipation in political struggles has sent forth from
his seclusion a pamphlet on "Peace with Mexico"
which ought TO be placed by subscription In every
family in the United States. Written before the
appearance of Mr.. Clay's Speech, the substantial
identity of the views and suggestions put forth by
these two veteran Patriots and Statesmen is re-
markable. Mr. Gallatin carefully traces the whole
history of our difficulties. with Mexico; shows that
by the acknowledged Law of Nations, our annex
alton of Texas while she was at war with Mexico
was no. O mere cause of War with Mexico but
was an actual 'waging' of war, and dissipates the
atrocious pretencc that Texas in lS45 rightfuily
extended to the Rio Grande by facts and argu-
mcnts which it seems impossible that an honest
man should gainsay. 1t must be that this pamph-
let, if the friends of Peace are but just to their
cause in giving the widest possible circulation,
will exert au influence over the undebased public
sentiment of the country. Wherever there is an
unseared conscience to operate upon it is sure to
make an abiding impression, We copy the fol-
lowing introduction IN. II. Pal.
THE LAW OF NATIONS,
1t seems certain that Mexico must ultimate
" submit to such terms of peace as the United
States shall dictate. A heterogeneous popula-
ton of seven millions, with very limited re-
sources, and no credit; distracted by internal
discussions, and By the ambition of its chiefs,
a prev by turns, to anarchy and to military us
urpers; occupying among the nations OF the
civilized world, either physically or mentally,
whether in political education, social state, or
in anv other respect, but an inferior position;
cannot contend successfully with an en-
ergetic intelligent, enlightened, and uni
ted nation of twenty millions, possessed OF I'M
limited resources and credit, and enjoying all
the benefits Of a regular, strong and free gov
eminent. All this was anticipated; but the
extraordinary successes OF the Americans have
exceeded the most sanguine anhcipatlons. All
the advanced posts Of the enemy, New Mexico
California the line of the lower Rio Norte, x
all the sea ports, which 1t was deemed necessa-
nv to occupy, have been subdued. And asmail
force. apparantly incompetent to the object,
has penetrated near three hundred miles into
the interior, and is now in quiet possession Of
the far-famed metropolis of the Mexican do
minions, The superior skill and talents of our
distinguished generals, and the unparalleled bra
very of our troops, have surmounted all obsta-
cles. By whomsoever commanded, on either
side, however strong the position and fortihca-
cations of the Mexicans and with a tremendous
numerical superiority, there has not been
single engagement, in which they have not
been completely defeated.
The question then occurs? What arc the
terms which the United States have right TO
impose on Mexico? All agree that it must be
an "honourablo peace" but the true meaning
of this word must in the first place be ascer-
tanned.
The notion that any thing can be truly hon.
durable which is contrary to justice, will, as an
abstract proposition, be repudiated by every
citizen OF the United States. Will any one
dare to assert that peace can be honourabe,
which does not conform with justice!
There is no difficulty in discovering the
principles BY which the relations between CIV
ilize,l and Christian nations should be regula-
ted. andthe reciprocal duties which they owe to
each other. These principles, these duties
which have long since been proclaimed; and
the true law of nations, is nothing else than
the conformity to the sublime precepts OF the
gospel morality, precepts equally applicable to
the relations between man and man, and to
the intercourse between nation and nation
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
" Az Won would that men should do unto you,
do We also to them likewise."-The sancity Of
these commands is acknowledged without u
single exception by every denomination of
Christians, or of men protesting to be such.
The political philosopher admits and adj
mires the precept- To the holy rule we should
inAexibly adhere when debating the terms of
peace. The United States, though they have
the power, have no right to impose terms in
consistent with Justice. 1t would be shame
full dereliction of principle, on the part of those
who were averse to the annexation Of Texas,
TO countenance any attempt to claim an acqui-
sition of territory, or other advantage, on &C
count of the success of our arms.
But in Judging the acts Of our Government,
It must be admitted that statesmen think con-
formity to these usages which constitute the
law of nations. not as it should be, but as it is
practically, sufficient to justify their conduct
And by that inferior standard, those acts
and our duty in relation to Mexico will be
treated.
2.-lNDEMNITIEs TO THE CITIZENS OF THE
UNITED STATES.
The United States had, and continue to
have, an indubitable right to demand full In
demnity for any wrongs inflicted on our citi-
zens by the Government of Mexico, in viola
ton treaties or of the acknowledged laws of
nations. The negotiations for satisfying those
Just demands, had been interrupted by the an
nexation of Texas. When an attempt was
subsequently made to renew them, it was there
fore just and proper, that both subjects should
be discussed at the same time; and it Is now
absolutely necessary, that those just claims
should be fully provided for, in any treaty of
peace that may be concluded, and that the
payment should be secured against any possible
contingency, take it for granted that no
claims have been, or shall be sustained by her
Government, but such as are founded on trea-
ties or the acknowledged law Of nations.
Whenever nations becomes involved in
war the manifestoes and every other public act
issued for the purpose of justifyingits conduct
always embrace every ground Of complainl
which can possibly be alledged. But admit
ting that the refusal to satisfy the claims for
indemnity of our citizens may have been
just cause of war, it is most certain, that those