Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-01-26
From the Columbus Journal.
REV. ARTHUR w. ELLIOTT.


the following letter from the venerable
ARTHUR W. ELLIOTT, on the subject Of
the war upon Mexico, with request that
il be transferred to our columns. We
comply with the request the more readily,
from the fact that where ARTHUR w. ELL
OFT is known-and his fame is almost
commensurate with the Methodist Episco-
pal Church-hc is known t. be distn-
guished for his zeal for Christianity. I'M
swerving patriotism. sterling common
sense, and purity of life and conversation.
The letter follows:
From the Hamilton InteIlgencer
MlLL3RovE FARM, Dec. %, 18i.
MESsRs EDIroRs:-io on have Thought
proper t. connect my name with ali adj
dress delivered in Nashville BY my son C..
ID. Elliott. III such a manner as leads your
readers to suppose that | might probably
approve Of the sentiments 50 expressed by
him. therefore take occasion to correct
the impression which your remarks were
likely - make, BY stating my own opinion
on the subject
pass by your notice of the remarks Of
the editor of the Tribune. The question
is whether the war III which the l. states
are now engaged with Mexico is ri chteouS
on our part: whether patriotism requires an
American citizen to approve and support
this war,
The justice Of the war depends altogeth
cr upon the causes which produced it
and the objects for which it is prosecuted.
Let US examine these causes and objects
for moment 1t is well known that the
United States more than once offered TO
pay Mexico more than five millions for
Texas. but our offer VAS lcj ected. The
territory was wrcstcd by force and vio-
lencc from Mexico by our citizens and an
nexed to the nited States Even this
great national wrong committed by the |
States against Mexico did not produce ac-
tual war. No collision or bloodshcd en-
sued until the President seat the Navy to
blockade the Mexican ports. and par.icu-
larly the mouth of the Rio Grande. and
ordered the army 10 invade the Mexican
territory. Of which they were in peaceablc
possession, and had been for two hundred
years. 1t was these outrages upon the
rights of Mexico, which were the imne-
diate cause Of the war.
The objects for whcl. the war thus pro-
duced has been prosecuted. are equally re-
pnGnant to the principles Of Justice. The
vast territory OF Texas was free. No
slave could breathe there while it formed a
part Of the Republic of MEXICO. Amcri-
can citizens planted slavery in Texas, and
With h' this "f ou GIoihilhso ba p6h "5 oTf
declaration Of ndependence.-Nc have
been unlaithtul 10 the interests of our own
free citizens, by giving the owner Of 100
President and members of Congress equal
to 6 frcenlen of Ohio.-and it is now de-
by the war hawks that additional
territory must be conquered from Mexico.
that slavery may spread still farther its
blightne. hateful. corruptlng influences
and power It is for this purpose. and TO
CRAFTY the rapacious desire for more terri
tory and the thirst for plumber and con-
quest. that the war IS waged at the sacrifice
Of millions upon millions of the public
treasure and the lives of thousands Of our
patriotic citizens who lie unburied in Mex
leo.
Instead Of being one of the brightest
pages in our history. the commencement.
and prosecution and objects of this war.
will furnish a chapter which the Americ an
patriot and historian would gladly blot
from our records. Even now. while it is
pretended that We are Offering terms hon
orable to Mexico. the delegates appointed
by the Mexican Congress can find no Com
missioner or agent of our government au
thorized to make peace on any terms
The authority of Mr.. Trist who is still in
Mexico. has been revoked, and General
Scott has no power to make peace. The
hypocrisy and ialSehood which has mark
ed the conduct of the President in rela-
ton TO this wicked war are thus made pal
pable to the nation and the world.
believe that the highest patriotism and
love of country. and the divine command.
do unto others as we would that they sho'ld
do unto us. require every good citizen to
oppose this war and the objects for which
it was commenced and is prosecuted.
That the moral sentiment of the coun-
try is against this war of invasion and
conquest. do not doubt That christian
ministers and christian Churches should
everywhere lift up their voices in denunci-
alton of the war and its objects. firmly
believe. While our armies are bombar-
ding peaceful cities in foreign country.
filed with men, woman and children thou
sands of whom are slaughtered by our
soldiers. think il the duty of every minis
ter of the Gospel of peace on earth and
good will TO men, 10 raise his voice and
bear his strong testimony against the spirit
of slavery and violence. aggression and
bloodshed. in which this war originated
and by which it is sustained.
Let the Christians of this land while
they are thanking God for his goodness
and mercy 10 them. to their children and
families. think the fact that their govern
ment. their agents. are prosecuting such a
war for unholy purposes-that their armies
paid by them. are imbruing their hands in
the blood. not only of men in arms. but
the peaceful citizens. woman AMI children
Of feeble old age and helpless infancy
Let them look to il. that their hands which
-, . ha,of H.