The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-03-18
ir !" Then you brand your own Governor,
md YOUR own Review. There is my author

world, tell me, ought Mexico for such cause
especially without telling her that IS tn.
cause, to be invaded, her citizens murdered
and her dominion subvertad Then charge
that vour towns and villages ought to be lait
IN ashes, your women and children made
houseless, and your men shot down in Tho
field.
But this is not all. Icharge not only these
{ insolvent States, but this government with
guilt four-fold blacker than that imputed tc
Mexico l mean in this matter of $poltationS
More than 4G years ago, citizens of our Re-
public had spoliations committed upon them
by France. Many of them lost their all,were
ruined. These spoliations amounted to more
than 80 millions. For an equivalent, valu
able consideration, we released France, and
assumed the claims ourselves; and for more
thon As years, these ruined citizens while
they lived, and after them their widows and
children, came with tears in their eyes, knock
ing at the doors of this Capitol for payment.
Congress at last heard their cries; last session
a bill for their relief passed both houSes-bnt
slap in our face came back veto. The
money was all wanted, said MIR Polk, for the
war with Mexico. And, sir, your non-payng
but war-goihg states, were found sustaining
that veto. And among the rest, the tender
hearted democrat from northwest Ohio, Mr.
Sawyer,) who has shed tears over the rum
cd merchants" that went to Mexico to trade
he, too, was found voting against the widows
and orphans Of our own "ruincd citizens.
Nor is this the choicest specimen Of that
genteman's democracy. When bill had
passed both houses making appropriations for
the improvement Of our rivers and harbors-
q bill which was 70 protect the lives OF thou
sands of our sailors who are now being wreck
ed and lost and millions Of our exposed prop
crty, that gentleman at first stood up and
voted for the bill, as the interest of his state
required. But back came your veto, and
where now is the independent democrat from
Ohio? All he dohs his cap, lowers his peak,
bows to the Executive, and votes for the We
to Out on such moonlight mackcrel de-
mocracy as this ! would not have it about
me for all the metal buttons that could glitter
on boys coat, or the yellow lace that could
adorn his cap. This veto, too, alleges, that
the money is wanted to carry on this war
Shame on the nation that can thus withhold
millions due to her own citizens, and eXpend
hundreds more to fight poor, crippled, fac
tion-torn Republic, because she neglects to
pay us two millions But dill we go to war
because Mexico would not pay us Did we
IitOl I'll lltl vi lIldt DIu We oUDlulG Jul NLSl
matuln, and threaten her with war for that
cause p? Not word of it, sir Mr. Polk on
the 9th of May last, in recommending to
Congress to recognise The war,which, he said
"Mexico had commenced" gave, as the rea-
son, that she had invaded our territory, and
spilled our blood on our own soil" He also
procured the preamble to the war bill, false
in fact, and fraudulent in purpose, to recite
that "NGar existed by the acts Of Mexico
Does this look as if we had gone to war with
her for not Immediately paying our debt? No,
sir, it is all an after-thought, got up to change
the issue.
But the President would stultify Mexico,as
we'll as ourselves, in relation to the true issue
and cause of the war. On page of his mes
sage, he says, that Mexico has never placed
the war, which she has waged, on the ground
Of our army occupying the intermediate terri
tory on the Rio Grande." What statement
to emanate from the Chief Magistrate III
prove-it destitute of any foundation in truth,
and with it, l will show up another assertion
on the same page. lie says, "her (Mexico)
dyoved purpose in commencing war with
the United States, was to rec0nquer Texas. "
All ! aOas that her "avowed purpose ?"
will thank Mr. Polk, or any of his friends, TO
tell me when or where she made that avow-
al. 50 far from that, sir will call four con-
sccutive witnesses, each speaking for and on
behalf Of Mexico, to brand this statement with
the character it deserves.
My first witness is the Secretary of State of
Mexico, Mr. Pena y Pena, to Mr. Black, 3lst
Oct, 1915: He says,
"The Government of Mexico has given its
orders, for the present. suspendng any act of
hostility against the u Safes, and limits itself
to the defence, awaiting the issue of the ncgo-
tiation," &c That talks only of defence
nothing there about reconquering Texas"
The next witness is General La Vega, who,
on the 2Sth March, 1916, said to General
Worth
"The march of the U. S. troops through
part Of the Mexican territory, WAS an act of
war. That Mexico had not declared war
The two countries were still at peace we
( Mexico) felt indignation at seeing the Amer
lean flag placed on the Rio Grande, a portion
of the lfcrican territory" Here is the cause
of their indignation-not q word about the
" reconquest Of Texas"
My next witness rises in grade-he speaks
for Mexico: this is Gen. Ampudia, who on
the 9th Of April, 1916, wrote to Gen Tay-
Tor:
Your government, in an incredible man !
ner, has not only insulted but exasperated the |
Mexican nation, bearing its conquering ban
ner to the left bank of the Rio del Norte; in
this case, by the de6nitve orders of my Gov
eminent, require you, in all form, to break
up your camp and withdraw to the other |
bank Of the Nueces, while our governments |
are treating" &c. " If YOU insist on remain
ing on the soil Of Tdmaulipas, it must clearly !
result that arms must decide the question"
Now, sir, what is the cause of the collision
Of arms ?" Is it the reconquest of Tex |
as" or the invasion of Mexican soil =? Let
the world and posterity judge.
My fourth witness ranks equal with Mr.
Polk, in every respect but modesty and ve-
racity. 1t is President Paroles himself On
the 23d April, 1916, after he learned the APP.
nA1sc...L e g