Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-08-19
From the NJ Y Eueaing Post.
What have we gained by the WAR

pOsterIty say what we have gained by the war. Let
another generation show what has been the result of
a shock between an all-powerfu nation, possessing
all the improvements of modern warfare, animal ted
with active resoute, and nvincible spirit, and
rylng, wherever her penetrate the intelligence
and refinement possessed by the age, together with
the fullest development Of the principles Of political
liberty, and nation nervelesS passive, and torpid to
the injustice and rapine of her rulers,
cluded voluntarily from almost all commercial inter-
course with her fellow men, deuded by false concep
tions of her military prowess. destitute Of that COM
mon education and political intelligence and equality
that can advance and improve her people.
Flags and cannons and prisoners the trophies
of success in battle; they caunui furnish proper
swer for the consequences of the The true gain
or loss by does not consist in victories aud IN
demnihcations, but in It's effects upon rights and
our principles. We gained the victories Of Bunker
Hill and Saratoga, but they trifes compared
with that greater gain of an empire, aud privilege
to establish and cultivate uumoesed the principles of
civil and political liberty. Such fruits these do
not ripen in a single campaign. Such trophies
till long after the bodies of the slain have
mouldered to dust, and the batte-6elds have been
turned up by the peaceful pough-share; yet these
prints would taunt by repetition of the question,
"What have we gained by the war y
Not willing rest here, they next assert that 1t is
unjust and outrageous war, and that therefore no
good nor gain to ourselves result from It, Such
assertions show a shameful ignorance of the history
of mankind Even granting to the utiermost all that
Is asserted by them of the injustice of the war, II Is
less probable that the fruits of it will be most be-
ncfcial and happy for ourselves well "a Mexico.
1t would almost seem TO be law with mankind,
that the powerful and intelligent shall dispoSsess
the weak. Such. all events has been the practice
of men, and it has usually been followed by the I'M
provement of the race. The devastating march of
the ancient Jews into the borders of Asia Minor pre-
pared tie rugged hills of Palestine for receiving the
foundation of an empire in which should flourish the
noblest and most liberal principles. The intelligence
and refinement of Rome followed her armies His
pana, Lusitana, Gau and Britain, and there planted
the germs of that intelligence and mental cultivation
of which England and France boast at present, and
of which Spain has furnished many honorable IN
stances. The rapaciuus invasion of this western
world by the English and Spaniards furnishes almost
the only instance in history In which the original IN
habitanls without scarcely encouraging sign of
Improvement, have faded away and the invaders have
gained every thing. There is scarcely instance
TO be found in former times where two nations, une-
quail in POLITICAL social and moral advantages, as is
strikingly the between tins country and Mexico
have into collision. but it has been followed by
greater or less improvement and elevation IN the IN
situations of the inferior nation How absurd then,
these assertions, that good can result from this
war, and that it should be terminated 'iHstGnter."
Those who take this ground know little of the world
In which they live, and of the influences which lmpe
or restrain the acts of nations.
If these things are soft the results to be antici-
pated from collision Of unequal nations, and which
alone ire worthy of the chief consideration OF Inte
gent men. are of such high nature and slow growth
and if the history of mankind proves that such re-
suits are almost sure to follow then the mode in
which it might be desirable To terminate this war be-
comes subject of important consideration with those
who seek for the diffusion of the principles of indvi
dual liberty and the elevation of man.
We shall not undertake to present any general out
line, under this view for its termination; but sulh-
cient space is left us to take notice of three
circumstances which might attend It's close, which
are not in themselves unfavorabe to the progress of
those great principles in which the human family is
tremendously interested
If the war should be a long one, and the day upon
which peace should be concluded far distant it would
inevitably make the Mexicans more intimately ac-
quaned with those glorious institutions OF ours which
they have admired and copied but to which they ne
could impart that spirit and virtue required to de-
velop their rich fruits They have seen US at dis
lance. and vainly aspred to become like having
our citizens and our institutions in their midst viii
be impossible with them, as it is with human nature
everywhere, 10 resist genial influence. Every day
that presence continues only to add power
and life to such Impressions long war would not,
therefore, be unfavorable to these results, although
let 1t not be unfairly charged upon us that we are
advocating long war. or any war.
If we should carry arms over the length and
breadth of Mexico and our principles should follow
us, where would be the injury TO mankind 1t would
end in teaching the citizens of that country prac
tically that all men are free and equal, and that they
have perfect right to establish their form of GO
vernment and to elect their rulers. And in do
ing this, they could not make acknowledgment of
any jurisdiction foreign for themselves, exact
1T.
If we should make peace only when we can obtain
permanent and honorable peace, whether at an
early or late day, shall pursue such a is
consistent with principles and will surely pro-
mote the greatest welfare of all parties The COM
plants that uttered that nothing has been gained
by the war, are made by those who too blind TO
see that al every step have trumphed, and
that the brightest hopes awakened for still great
er triumph in the principles of liberty. Those who
would have the brought TO instant close, irre-
spective of Mexico, can find nothing IN reason or
circumstances, or in prospect of future amiiy be-
tween the two countries, 10 justify such demand.
Those who say the war is unjust and outrageous on
our part present nothing that takes away the certain
ty that immeasurabe benefits to mankind may yet flow
from it.
Napoleon Bonapare speaking of Necker, the. great
French financial Minister, said "he is ideologist-a
banker. IL impossible that such have any
but narrow views"