Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-02-18
CONGRE SSIONAL.
SPEECH OF R. NJ. I. HUNTER, Ed H.
- fcoNcLuDlD

they are not worthy OF our iihI'dsio, -, 80 :,
produce results equal 10 the hopes VIZ" w mN
Justly entertain from pursuing ANU, 49,, offer.
~ c,r.er nj conquest was in some degree Ioleee
mon them by their position which made a' con.
,aoess.ry Tor them either 10 conquer OF oe eo..'
anared M vas, and contiguous ana uaoIeu.
MED domain Law before them 10 people anu plan'
fierce powerful, and hostile nelsnooiS, s ~,
rounded them-but we are more ioilun"'ey ~
mated. Nor did they achieVe .nelI suIos'
without paying penalties iof "n.n a az com.
,'on bv us The very extent OF Roman DO
Ire;n;on nroduced necessity for organic changes
n their Governments; TO preserve the UNITY OF 'ne
emnire i became necessary 10 extend the PIlvi-
Isors Of The conqueror TO the conquered. Inc
hsnohly Quirites were forced 10 admit Inc span
lard and The Gaul to seats in that Senate, whicn
il had been so long their exclusive privilege 10 MI
the influence OF the provinces winch .hei, alas
had subdued, conquered in the end Inc Roman
spirit ITSELF In such an empire Inc equaily -
free and self.governing citizens became impossr
bic and they sought equality in what has oeen
we'll characterized as the "dead level oil an oriental
despotism." Rome, the Imperial city, lost an 'na'
commands respect in power and was les'l'c'eu' "
The r-re,ricious influences which a meIoFo'
lis exercises over q court. This was III .i'e Ia
ture of lhinss.-Unless there De iasioh VI
races between the conqueror ana cohque.eu,
The body polite can never exhibit Tue ehiseu
power OF both, but its real sHenslh 70 .ne
difference between The greater anu Inc lessel
OF the hostile elements.-lt the conquered are du-
mit,ed to equal privileges with The conquerors,
,hry will subdue them by influence when
their strength becomes the greater of the Two
II not admitted TO such a participation, ihey
will subdue the conqueror by force when lheir
polilical and military power becomes ace
oua,c to the task. II may be said that the
British example presents more encouraging
homes. But would We take her conques's along
with her debts if we could or could we admin
lister government over such depehaencies WIN
out change in our own institutions Cohsiue,
ing their whole effects, political and moral, ss wei
az commercial, on the great mass OF Inc BLUSH
neonle an ;mpariial observer would probably de
eide thai they had title cause TO rejoice over the
Uer,s ia an isolated case in history. For The lasl
Two or three centuries as community OIL armed
traders she has propagated commerce oy the
sword As she gradually loses her commercial
and manufacturing superiority amonss! civii'zeo
nations she forces open new markets amiasl the
interior races who canno, for centuries, II ever,
hope 10 rival her in such pursuits. For Inc re'im-
bursement of the expenses Of conquest, she looks
10 exclusive privileges in trade, and this monopoly
she preserves with the sword. How this account!
NAV stand as matter Of pecuniary prom! and
loss confess | am unable 10 determine. II is 10
be reckoned amongst the doubtful problems III Pc
htical economy. The armed shepherd the arm
ed priest, and the armed trader, have each swept
the earth in their turns-the accounts OF Inc TWO
first with posterity have been settled long SINCE
but the last still remains To be closed. How Inc oa-
lance shee, will stand do not pretend TO be able 10
determine But of this am certain, that II IS no
example for us 10 follow. For independently oil
political consequences of such career, am con-
WINGED that we may attain all The commercial ad-
vantages OF a superiority in the markets OF The
world by pursuing the course marked out ior US
By nature, and peacefully extending our limits
without violating the rights OF others, or de-
ranging the machinery OF our own government.
Commercial superiority will belong to those who
are superior in social organization, IN clVlii'
zaion in the useful arts, in The elements oil pro-
ducliye power, and in The advantages oil access 70
the markets most valuable 10 a commercial peo'
pie. Such people as ours, peacefully develop
Ing under free institutions, and filling The vast ex-
tent OF wild country open TO our occupation from
the Atlantic TO The Pacific shore, must ENJOY 'hai
superiority il they remain true to themselves and
their mission. Our mission is not of arms, but
OF arts, and every hour of peace is rich in golden
opportunities for It's accomplishment. Il is not
TO be supposed that We will not be exposed TO &C.
casional wars and am happy 10 DC believe tha'
we have ample security in The spirit OF our pee
pie against the agsressions Of others. Bul that
spirit needs no spur, The danger is that lis sener-
Gus mpeluosity may spurn the wholesome re-
straints which should moderate lis course.
Mr.. Presidenl-I have examined the question
Of the true mode 10 which our future progress IS
10 be conducted because firmly believe that II Is
a subject upon which Inc public mind is busy al
this time. Their conclusions non his Jpai!sg
which the present war is TO be wageo; and upon
that subject fear that there is a great and dam
gerous conformity Of opinion. Those who be-
lieye that the highest point OF our grandeur is 10
be reached BY conquest, incline with more or less
disiinctness of view 10 the annexation Of all
Mexico; whilst those who think as do, that we
can only become great, as well as tree people,
by preserving our homogeneous character, and in
creasins by growth, desire TO direct our march 10
the unoccupied country which We now possess,
and oush, to acquire from her when we close the
war. To this extent would go, and no further.
l do not want their people; neither wish TO 60
vern them, nor have their aid in governing our.
selves. But have many reasons tor desiring 10
acquire portion Of their territory contiguous 10
us, which is so nearly unoccupied that the in
fuence OF these people could no, be sensibly felt,
as political element in our system. Where that
line should 60, do not pretend now 10 determine;
but the limit beyond which ought not 10 go, Is
uIed in my mnd-upon that point my opinion is
made up.
In specifying the acquisition Of portion Of the
comparatively unoccupied territory OF the Mexi-
cans as one and perhaps the leading object TO be
pursued in the war, do not mean TO say that
there are no others important 10 be obtained, but
these are to be determined by Inc circumstances
OF the case when The treaty is maize. But The
acquisition Of this territory will be important on
many accounts. Ii provides not only for what
ever indemnify for the war can be obtained, but
also the means OF satisfying the private claims
against the Mexican government. Ii is species
OF indemnity which would benefit both OF the bel
ligerents, for il would avoid one OF The inevitable
temptations to future wars between The pa!!ieS.--
That this country is destined 10 be filled by the
advancing wave of our population none can
doubt, and it is equally clear that the Mexican
race can never occupy il. To provide for this
inevitable event in such manner as 10 avoid the
chance OF a war, and secure its peaceablc ac
complshment is An object 10 be desired by both
people. This consideration alone, as il seems TO
me, might satisfy the most tastidous in relation
10 Mexican rights or wrongs as to The propriety
Of making this acquisition OF territory But there
is another which is almost conclusive. This
country is mainly in the occupation Of Indians
The Mexican population has receded instead OF
advancing into il, and the indians are actually
extending their borders Southwark. Now, The
right 10 exlnguish Indian tille and 10 substitute
q civilized for savage race, who do not fulfil The
condition of improving the land upon which The
practice Of nations, and perhaps the law OF ma
lure gives property, depends upon the capacity to
occupy, and without that capacity no people can
fairly claim territory. Ifthere is neither an &C.
cupa,on nor capacity TO occupy, the right 10
appropriate Indian territory Tor the uses OF civil
lizaton belongs TO those who have the capacity to
do it and of those capable of doing it, the cont.
suous have the best Tile Il NAV be said, that
time has not been given to test fairly their capa
city to occupy this country. But il is peIsua-
sive, il not decisive fact, that they are receding
before the Indian population. acknowledge
that this consideration would not justify US in
sezins upon this territory if the two nations were
a. peace; but it may fairly be estimated as
strengthening the rights acquired in war. ! make
this admission, because the right 10 seize Indian
territory upon The ground that The civilized nation