The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-08

| 10y "'StHclJ luI llle Suhe OF peNce, VIII
takea treaty for adding two new States 10
distinctly NO. And wish every man in the
United States TO understand That to be my
Judgment and my purpose.
said upon our southern border, because
the present position takes that locality.
would say the same fthe west, tho northeast
or of any other border. resist to-day and
forever and to the end, nny proposition to
add any foreign territory, South or West,
North or East, 20 the Suites of This Union, MS
they are constituted and held together under
the constitution. do not want The colonsts
of England on the north and as little do |
want the population ofMeXico on the south.
resist and reject all, and all with equal res
olution. And, therefore, i say that, if the
question were put to me to-day, whether |
would take peace under the present state
ofihe country, distressed as il is, during the
existence of war, odious as this is, under Cir
cumstances so affective to humanity, and so
disturbing 10 the business of those whom
now represent, as now EXIST say still, lift
were put 10 me whether would have peace,
with new States, would say no.--no And
that because, sir, there is no necessity of be-
ing driven into that dilemma, in my iudg-
ment. Other gentlemen think differently
l. hold no mans conscience bur | mean to
make clean breast of myself; and pro-
test that see no reason believe there is
none-why we cannot obtain as safe peace
--as honorable and as prompt Il peace, with
out territory as with it. The two things are
separable. There is no necessary connec-
ton between them. Mexico does not wish
us to take her territory, while she receives
our money. Far from il. She yields her
assent, if she yield it at all, relnctan;Iy,---a
we all know it. 1t is the result of, force, and
there is no nun here who does not know
that. And let me say, sir that if this Tlist
paper shall finally he rejected tits most likely
to be because those who, under our protec-
ton hold power there, cannot persuade the
Mexican Congress or people to agree to this
cesson of territory. The thing most likely
to break up what we now expect TO take
place, is the Yepugnance ofthe Mexican peo-
Pile TO part with Mexican territory. They
would prefer to keep their territory, and that
we should keep our money,-as l prefer we
should keep our money, and they their ter
ritory. We shall see. pretend to no pow
ers ofprediction. do not know what may
happen. The times are full ofstrange events.
Think it certain that if the treaty which
has gone to Mexico shall fail to be ratified, it
will be because of the aversion OF the Mcxi-
can Congress, or the MEXICAN people to cede
the territory, or any part oft, belonging to
Their republic. ..u
have said that would rather have no
peace for the present than to have a peace
which brings territory for new states aud
the reason is, that we shall get peace MS soon
without territory as with t---more safe, more
durable, and vastly more honorable to us, the
Great Republic of the world.
But we hear gentlemen say we must have
some territory--the people demand it. ! de-
ny it--at least see no proof of it whatever.
| do not doubt there are individuals of an en-
terprising character, disposed 10 emgrale,
who know nothing about New Mexico but
that it is far off, and nothing about California
but that il is still farther off, who IRE tired of
the dull pursuits Of agriculture and Of civil
lfe,-that there are hundreds and thousands
ofslich persons to whom whatsoever is new
and distant,is attractive. They feel the spirit
ofborderers, and the spirit OF a borderer,
take it, is to be tolerably contented with his
condition where he is until somebody goes 10
regions beyond him and then his eagerness
is to take up his traps and go still farther than
he who has thus got in advance of him.
With such men, the desire to emigrate is an
Irresistible passion, At least so said that
great and sagacous observer of human ma
ture, nj. TalIeyrand, when he travelled in this
country in 1897.
But say do not find anywhere any con-
who want more territory and such territory.
Twenty four of us last year in this house yo
ted against the prosecution ofthe war for ter
ritory, because we did not want it--loth
southern and northern men. ! believe the
southern gentlemen who concurred in that
vote found themselves, even when they had
gone against what might be supposed to he
local feelings and partialities, sustained OH
the general policy ofnot seeking territory,
and by the acquisition of territory bringing
into our politics certain embarrassing and
embroiling questions and considerations.
But it is said that we must take territory
for The sake of peace. We must take terri
tory! 1t is the will ofthe President. If we
do not now take what he offensive fare worse.
Mr. Polk will take no less, tha,he is fixed up
ONT he is mmoyable; he has, put--down---
his-r-foot, Well, sir, he put it down upon
81 40; but it didn't stay. speak ofthe Pres
ident as of all Presidents, with 10 disrespect.
know of no reason why his opinion, and his
will--his purpose declared to be final, should
control us-apy more than our purpose,from
equally conscientious motives. and under as
high responsibilities should control him. We
think he is firm and will not be moved l
should be sorry, sir, very sorry indeed, that
we should entertain more respecf Tor The
frmness AN Individual at the head Of the
government, than we may entertain for our
own firmness. He stands out against us, DO
we fear to stand out against him! For one,
do not. 1t appears TO me to be slavlsh doc
trine. For one, am willing 10 meet the IS
sue, ard go to the people all over this broad
land. Shall we take peace without new
states, or refuse peace without new stntes? i
will stand upon that and trust the people.
And do that because think il right, ana
because have no distrIlst of the people. /