Washington telegraph., 1848-01-19

eeat, would add Ia our population sIs mil.
lions within ten and neafly fourteen mil.
lions in twenty Yeas. II the fale nj
ohli twenty-five per tent. il viii add five
millions ia len and mofe ihan eleven mil.
lions IN twenty ypars. TINT The fertile
uneullltalei land within Tie limits of the
Snles admitted or Immediately admissible
IN the Union could sustain hlaa limas lbat
number Is indubilable. Hul lhu indamnila.
bic energy, the locomotive prnpensillps,
aud all the habits al The settlers Of new
countries are such that not even the united
ellorls OF both Governments ean or will pre-.
vent their occupying within twenty il net
within len years every district rs far as the
faellie, and whether within Tho limits of
The uniled States or Of Mexico, which
shall mol have previously been actually aud
bona iide occupied and settled by others
II may be said thai this Is iusliliahe by
natural law; thai, Tor the same reason
which sells asile tho right oi discovery, ii
ottollowed by actual occupation within n
reasonable lime, the rights OF spain md
heaieo have heeniorieiiad by their neglect
or inability, during period Of three hun.
dfed years, 10 eoloaize country which,
during tho whole of thai period. they held.
nndlspated by any oiher foreign nalun.-
Aud, II may, perhaps, be observed that. had
the Government ui the United States wait.
ed for the operation oi natural aud iIfesistI.
BILE CAUSES, these alone would hare given
them, without war, more ihhn they want
at this moment.
However plausible all thus may appear,
II is nevertheless certain, lhal it will be an
acquisition ofteffiluly for the henelil ofihe
penple ollhe United States and in violation
ol solemn treaties. Not only collisions
must be avoided, and the renewal Of anolb.
ef illicit annexation 10 DO prevented, but
the two countries must coollY consider lheif
relative position; aud whatever portion Of
territory, mol actually settled hy the Me,i.
cans, ani otno feal utility u then, they
may be disposed 10 eede, mus hn acquired
by treaty freely asseuled 10. and ioT fea.
sonable compensation. But this i not the
time for the discussion oil proper final ar.
fangnment. We must wait til nsaes
shall hase been restored and angry feel.
ings shall have subsidized. 1t present Tho
only object i peace. immediate naaee, A
Just peaee, and no acquisition Of territory
bnl that which may be absolutely nesassa.
fy iof efieeting the great object IN view
Tho mnst simple terms. those which will
only provide for The adjustment Of The Tax.
as boundary and ior the payment Of ndem.
mites due 10 our citizens. and IN every res.
peei, restore things as they Stood before
the beginning Of hosiililies, appear 10 mo
the most eligible. For that purpose may
wish that The discussion Of the terms should
nol ba embarrassed by the iuifnlueiion ol
any other matter. There are other con.
sidrraiions, highly important, md mol for.
eign 10 the great question Of an extension
Of territory, but which may, without any
inconvenience or commitment, be posi-.
poned, and should not be permitted u i'm.
pede The immediate termination Of this la
meniable war.
| have gone further than intended. Il
Is said that a fallying point is wanted by
the friends Of peace. Lot them unite, bold.
ly express their opinions, and use the ut.
most endeavofs IN promoting an immediate
termination Of the war. For the people
no other banner is necessary. But their
representatives In Congress assembled arc
alone competent 10 ascertain, alone vested
with the legitimate power oil deciding what
course should he decided what course should
be pursued at this momenious crisis, what
arc The best means for carrying into effect
their own views, whatever these may be.
We may wait with hope and confidence tho
result Of their deliberations.
| have tried in this essay to conGnc my.
selflo the question at issue between tho
United States and Mexico. Whether the
Executive has in any respect exceeded his
legitimate powers; whether he is IN any
OF bis acts liable 10 animadycrsion, arc
questions which do not concern Mexico.
There are certainly some doublll as.
sumpiions Of power, and some points on
which explanations are necessary. Tho
most important is the reason which may
have induced the President, when he con.
sjrrcd the war as necessary and almost
"HA'eNiahiNf uVt W communicate 10 luns
gress, which was all that time IN session,
the important steps be had taken, ill afer
hosiilities, and indeed actual war had la-
ken place. The substitution for war cen.
lributons Of an arbitrary and varying tariff
appears 10 me 10 be Of doubtful nature;
aud It lis hoped that the subject will attract
the early attention Of Congress. am also
clearly OF opinion that the provisions of tho
law respecting volunteers. which authori.
scs them TO elect their officers, Is direct
violation ol the constitution Of the United
States, which recognizes no other land force
than the army and The militia, aud which
vests in the President aud the Senate tho
exclusive power Of appointing all tho oill.
GERS Of the United States whose appoint.
menis are not otherwise provided ios In tho
constitution itself (Whh respect to pre-.
ppIpnts reipY Ia Tho ..t e f.,I.. ID fafn