The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-09

, proclaimed with such fantnronnadc of Den
ocratic tin trumpetj. The Administratio
preferred the risk of the moral effect
strengthening the abolition cause to the pr,
bable loss Of those three States, and there
fore issued a dispcnsati0n to the faithful
the North, graciously permitting them, fc
shall not characterize this relaxation {
party discipline as crime but, considerin
the end designed to be effected, it was wa
the great French intriguer said was worse
it was a blunder. The people of the North
even the Democracy, have taken their lead
ers at their word, pledged themselves irrevo
cably to the great characteristic feature of til,
ordinance of 1887, and though deserted b,
their faithess guides, will firmly maintain The
new position they have assumed.
Mr.. Chairman, do not know the presen
state of public opinion at the South on thi.
matter OF Texan annexation; but, now thai
Texas has proved to be not quite the III Do
RADIO 1t was tabled, that it has been the meats
OF involving us in an unjust predatory war
exciting lust for territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
winch threatens 10 become the fatal spring OF
every crime and every curse that have dis
graced the most rapacious States Of the old
world, of kindling anew the flames Of civil
dIScord, and alternating from each other the
members of this fair confedcracy. | am much
mistaken if, after all this, some of the clear
headed and patriotic SONS Of the South do not
begin to entertain doubts Of the wisdom, the
eXpediency, the justice Of that measure, if
there are not even some who would be con-
tent to spare the baleful effnlocnce of that
" lone star" if we could thereby secure quiet
within our own borders, and an honorable
peace with the republic OF Mexico.
The only remaining lawful motive for the
further prosecution Of this war is TO obtain a
Just and honorable peace for revenge, if so
base passion could be an adequate induce
ment tor great nation to engage in war
with puny and imhecio people, has long
since been satisfied. But whatter Of peace
would be honorable and just? No peace can
be honorable TO US, which is not at the same
time honorable to Mexico. 1t can never be
honorable to the STRONGER to eXtcrt by force
that which is dishonorablc to the weaker to
yield. What, then, are the obligations of
Mexico to u5 ? Does she owe us any thing
for exciting an instruction in hormost impov-
tant colony, ard giving " aid and comfort to
her reyoted Subjects? Any thing for appro.
pratlng to ourselves 4 territory once inds-
putably hers and to which she had never sold
or surrendered her claim? Any thing for
and rayaging with fire and sword,
upon a baseicsS pretenco of title, disputed
region, Of which she was, and from the first
hour OF her national existence had been, in
quiet and undisturbed possession ? ANY thing
for the slaughter Of thousands of her people,
the storlning OF Monterey, the nglorious rout
Of Buena Vista, the reduction Of her strong
est fortress, the military occupation of her
fairest provinces, the conquest of her proud
capital, and the destruction of the venerable
Of her ancient civilization, the hui
disgrace, and dissolution of her
government? What claim have we but the
recognition and payment of her acknowledge
Liabilities to private American citizens; and
who doubts that she is now ready again to re-
.osnise them, and to pay them whenever she
has the means But, on the other hand,
has 1t not been over and over again admitted
BY this Government that MeXico ought to re.
.clve an indemnity for the loss OF Texas ?
Have not distinct intimaiions been given that
the United States would make her a reasona-
BILE pecmiary allowance in any arrangement
by which she should cede to us her rights to
her revolted province? Who shall estimate
The amount Of this compensation ? Are we
TO be Judges III our own cause, and to deter
mine that, upon the whole, the balance is up
on cur side ? Gentlemen who repudiate ac-
QUESTION OF territory by conquest, and who
have heretofore admitted that we owed Mexico
a compensation for the REIMBURSEMENT of her
rights to Texas, still insist that we must CO.
cree the cesslon Of California and other prov
lnces by way Of indemnity for the claims of
our citizens, and this upon the ayowed ground
that balance may be due us which Mexico
can pay in no other way. The claims Of our
to seven millions. If MeXic0 was entitled to
an indemnify for the loss of Texas, would any
maA estimate the value Of her claim at less
than seven millions? And had she no such
claim, can it be pretended that California and
all the vast territory between that province
and Texas, if worth any thing, are worth no
more than this There is, then, no Just, no
ground for prosecuting this war as
"A means Of cocrcing an indemnity to or cit
liens, or Of the acquisition of territory and
any compulsory treaty, by which Mexico
shall yield to us that which she docs not owe,
will be humliating to her and doubly shame
full to us.
But such a peace as the Administration
hopes now TO conquer, and now to buy, will
be attended with us little Of profit as Of hon
or What has this nation to gain BY further
extension Of territory? The prosperity of
people consists in the aggregate individual
Of its citizens, and is not measured
by the number of its armies or its fleets, the
extent of its territorial jurisdiction, or the
splendor Of its government We are apt to
forget that splendid government is not one
of the objects of our institutions, and to con-
found the power of rulers with the prosperity
OF their subjects; but who doubts that the
citizens Of the little republic Of San Marine,
and Of the duchy of Tuscany, are as happy
and as prosperous as if they were annexed to
the kingdom of Sardinia, or even enjoyed the
paterna discipline of the gentle Mettcrnich
Who has forgotten that Norway, though one
a., T., 10