The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-02-02

from which our armies should move. The
distance from Tampico TO the CITY of Mexico
IS about one hundred leagues For sixty
leagues of this distance there is no other road
than mule path. The only practicable
route, therefore, is that from Vera Cruz.
do not think that there will be much difIicul
ty in obtaining possession of Vera Cruz and
the Castle ofSan Juan-not by assault bnt nv
siege, and not very long one.
There are at least one hundred defiIes he
tween Vera Cruz and Mexico, where hun
dred men might maintain themselves against
ten times the number. The road between
the two points overcome an elevation ofeie hi
thousand five hundred feet. Frequently. in
ascending, the road is cut through the noun
tain, the banks on each side higher than the
top Of the stage coach. What hayoc would
not few pieces of artillery make in these
natural defiles And the Mexicans are not
bad artillsrists. They are proud and brave
PeoPle-not inexperienced in war, and now
united to fanaticism. Can it be with such
dvantages, that our armies can ever arrive
at Mexico, but with immense sacrifice Of .lu-
man life J
What, then, is to be donel Are we 10 with.
draw our armes-to submit TO the disgrace
Insoence and violations ofthe rights and usa-
ges Of nations! These are all questions
which it is difficult TO answer | have ALWAYS
thought that 1t was our policy to avoid war
with that country; and that, If forced into
one tn e chastlsement which we should in6ict
should be sisnal-such as would be long re-
memberedi aud am not ignorant Of the evil
consequences Of stopping where we are. But
Nf Nh # A \
least.
We have had three battles. and in each a
victory not surpassed ID modern war. We
can Afford TO be generous. II would be mag
unanimous TO ior5ear. IL we prosecute the
war Of invasion. all that we can possibly gain
by II is mere territory. Is this desirable
Have we not already more vacant lands than
we Know what TO do with, and lands infinitely
better than the conterminous provinces OF
Mexico; more fertile, and, what is Of more
consequence, with facilities Of transportation.
The portion Of Mexico which we propose TO
conquer and retain, has no navigable rivers,
and lis great elevation will always prevenI
The construction Of railroads. We shall get
no public domain; for nearly all the land is
already granted; we shall not get the land a.
lone, but the population, ana nine out of ev-
cry ten OF Them are Indians. Will they be
received as Indians and placed on the same
iootng as our own Indian tribes. or as citi-
zens and allowed TO vote aud send indians
representatives TO our Congress ! Shall the
same privileges be extended to some or all of
our Indian tribes, who are more enlightened
and virtuous! II not. why mott But, be-
hind all this, there hovers a black and protein
fOus cloud, which no patriot can look upon
without dismay. Ifthis country is annexed.
upon what terms and conditions will il be an
nexed! Will the North consent that slavery
shall exist in the new States thus accquiredl
VIII the South consent to a restriction on
that point! fOrbear 10 do more than al
Jude to this question; all must see the diff
Guilty which II will present. II is premature
10 discuss it here. IL must be verv many
years before Mexico will cede the country. If
she ever does. and still many more before a
State can be organized. But the question
must come sooner or later. Is this miserable
| country worth the sacrifice o: blood and treas.
ure which it will cost. and the putting our
Union itself in peril Ii may be asked wherh-
er Mexico will make peace even if our troops
IRE thus Withdrawn beyond The Rio Grande
do not believe that she will do so now. But
The war will cease at least as TO active oprr-
atoms, and peace will he restored sooner Than
by continuing 10 prosecute the war Of iuva-
sion.