Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-01-14
THE WAR OF CONQUEST

Our readers will have seen from our Congrcssion-
nal summary that most momentous question has
been preached in Congress, in regard to the terrific
ry which we may acquire from Mexico. We al
lude to the proviso of Mr.. Wmot to Mr. Preston
Kings 100000 bill. Mr.. King is New York
Democrat, and the immediate representative of
Silas Wright-Mr. Wilmot is a Pennsylvania of
the same school. Foreseeing that we shall proba-
bly, acquire large territory from Mexico when we
come to make peace with her, they are for provid-
ing in advance, that there shall be stipulation in
tho treaty of cession that Slavery shall never exist
in the ceded territory. Mr. Grover, another dis
tinguished Northern Democrat, avows that he is
for conquest, and that he is for making Gordon of
Free States out of the conquered territory which
shall rival New England The Southern Demo
crazy the other hand proclaim that they will dis
solve the Union rather than submit to such state
of things; and thus the question stands. How it
will end Heaven only knows!
We must confess we regard this as the most
alarming question which has been agiated in our
National councils since the celebrated debate ON the
Missouri restriclion.-It is the same question, in
different shape, which then shook the Union to its
very centre, and which required all the patriotism
and wisdom OF the great men of that day To settle
We have contemplated this fearful issue with
the most painful interest, and we do not perceive
how it can well be avoided, or how it can be adj
Justed, II our Government shall insist upon the ac
QUESTION of any portion of the territory of Mexico
IL treaty should be negotiated giving us Califor-
mia, or parts Of New Mexico, or chihuahua. or Ia
maulipas, or any other Mexican territory, it must
be sanctioned by two-thrds of the Senate before it
can become contaminated and obligatory act If
the prOviso of MIR. Wimot is embraced in the trea-
ty. the Southern who compose one half of tho
Senate, will vote against and defeat it. On the
other hand, if the provso is omitted, the Northern
men will reject the treaty. What is then to be
done time alone can make known.
1t is still the old question of the spoils.-The
quarrel is over the division of the plumber. They
mean to despoil Mexico of her provinces, and the
dispute is now whether the North OF the South
shall have the spoils! Already the two wings of
the Democracy are growing over them like hun
CRY mastihs over a bone And if the evil could be
made TO stop there, we should but little about
it. Unfortunately, however, it is one of those gues-
tons which must embroil the whole Country, and
etii ioi al '"e "'Siy PdsSiohS Vi Doti SectioS ol
the Union. Interest and fierce spirit of fanati-
cism alike involved in it; and we look forward
to convulsion which may overwhelm us with ruin.
We.wel remember how the people were warned
in 1914 of this danger as likely to ensue from the
election Of Mr.. Polk. But alas, all the admonitions
Of the calm and clear-sighted Wings were scorned.
Their predictions ofwar and taxation were derided:
and the Democracy, with that recklessness ofsprit
which too often characterzes them, rushed madly
on to the very verge Of the gulf which now yawns
before thcm
We await the issue with fear and trembling,
trusting but little in the wisdom of our rulers, but
with devout reliance in the over ruling guardian
ship of that Great Being, who has thus far watched
over the destinies Of our Country, and made them
the object OF His especial care!