Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-01-07


reason which sets aside the right Of discovery, III
not followed by actual occupation within rca-
sonable time. the rights Of Spain and Mexico
have been iorlenod BY their neglect or inability,
during period Of three hundred years, to colo.
nize a country which, during the whole of that
period. they held. undispulcd by any other for
eign nation. And il may, perhaps, be observed
that, had the Government Of the United States
waited for the operation Of natural and rresisI-
lille causes, these alone would have given them,
without war, more Than they want al this mo-
menl.
However plausible all this may appear, il is
nevertheless certain, that IL will be an acquisition
Of territory for the benefit of the people Of the
United States and in violation Of solemn urea
Ties. Not only collisions must be avoided, aud
the renewal Of another Illicit annexation be pre-
vented, bu, the two countries must coolly con-
slider their relative position; aud whatever por.
ton Of territory, not actually seuledby the Mex.
leans, and of no real utility 10 Them, they may
be disposed to code, must be acquired by a treaty
freely assented to, and for a reasonable comPen.
salou. But this is not the time for the discus
sion Of proper final arrangement. We must
wait I'LL peace shall have been restored and an.
CRY feelings shall have subsided. At present the
only object is peacei immediate peace, a just
peace, and no acquisition Of territory, but that
which may be absolutely necessary for eAecIlng
the great object in view. The most simple
terms, those which will only provide for the ad-
justmeni of The Texas boundary and for the pay
menI Of the indemniIies due TO our citizens, and,
in every respect, restore things as they stood be.
} fore the beginning Of hosililies, appear 10 me
the most eligible. For thai purpose ! may be
} permited 10 wish that the discussion Of the
terms should not be embarrassed by the intro
, duction Of any other matter. There are other
considerations, highly important, and not foreign
to the great question of an extension of terrific
, ry, but which may, without any Inconvenience
or commitment, be postponed, and should moi
be permitted 10 impede The immediate Iermina'
, lion of this amenlable war.
; have gone further than intended. II is
said that rallyiGg point swanled by the friends
) of peace. Let them unite, boldly express thelI
opinions, and use their utmost endeavors IN pro-
, molng an immediate termination Of the war;
For the people no other banner is necessary
But their representatives in Congress assembled
are alone competent TO ascertain, alone vested
with the legitimate power Of deciding what
course SHOULD be pursued ut this momenlous crl'
sis, what are the best means for carrying lnlo eff
feet ber own views, whatever these may be-
We may wait with hope and confidence the re-
suit Of their deliberations. ,...
4 have tried in this essay to confne myself TO
the questions at issue between the United States
and Mexico. Whether the Executive has in
any respecI exceeded his legitimate power; wIIe-
ther he is for any of his acts liHble to animad.
version, ure questions which do not concern
] Mexico.
There are certainly some doubtful nssump-
tions of power, and some points on which ex.
plantations ure necessary. The most important
is the reason which may have induced the Pre-
sident, when he considered the war as necessary
and almost unavoidable, not 10 communicate &c
Congress-, whicn was all that Time in session, The
important steps he had taken, I'LL after hoSlilies
and indeed actual war, had taken place. The
substitution for war contributions Of an arbitrary
and varying tariff appears Ic me TO be Of {
. doubtful nature; and il is hoped that the subec
r will attract the carly attention of Congress.
, am also clearly Of opinion that the provisions o
! the law respecting volunteers, which authorize
:, them to elect their officers, is direct violation
: Of the Constitution of the United States whcl
; recognises no other land force Than the army an,
tho militia, ard which vests in the President an
r the Senate the exclusive power of appointing al
: the officers of the United States whose appoint
! monts are not otherwise provided for in the con
slution itself. with respect to procedents, re
fer to the act Of July 6, 1919, chap. 46l
cxxxviii, enacted with due delberalion, an,
which repealS, in that respect, the act on 'ht
, subject of February 6, 1879