The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-02

money, that our army may spread over al
Mexico, carry the war into he ciaL parts, take
possession of all her cities, divert all her ma
tional revenue, and keep her Congress Oh
| Government in constant state Of alarm ant
removal, allowing it no resting place. Hel
army is already destroyed, and her capita
taken. Now, sir, ask, is not this conquest
Is not this the utter humiliation of that Gov
crnment, so as to leave none with which &
treaty of peace, or any other treaty, can be
formed AS we'll might you tell me you
have no intention to kill man, but only de-
sire to fire five balls and run few bayonets
through his oHal parts, to induce him to en-
ter upon terms of peace and friendship with
you, as good neighbor.
But it has been fully ascertained by the
party sustaining the Executive, that it is
really no longer either practicable or desira'
bic to disguise the true intent and purpose Of
all this proceeding. They consider that such
progress has been made, and the interest Of
so many has been enlisted, and so much reli-
ance may be placed on the bad passions which
may be addressed and the decisions which
may be successfully practised upon the peo-
pie, that the political masquerade need be
sustained no longer. When we consider all
the clements which enter into the causes to
continue this war, and to prosecute and con-
tinue the career of unlimited conquest, it is
indeed alarming. 1t is said to the commnni-
ty, it is easier to 90 on than to 90 back. Be-
fore the military officers, or those who hope
to be such, dance Therapeutics for them in
Mexico, in the governorships and territorial
offices there, by us, to be established or in
civil promotion, at home; to the Executive,
the unlimited extension Of its patronage, pow
or, and future rcnown; to the Spectator,
rich government contracts; to the money
man and stockiobber the unlimited extension,
sale, and shaving of public stocks and public
securities; to the ship owners, wealth and
employment in the transportation Of troops
and munitions of war, by which they have
already tattened to the restless, adventure !;
and to the malicious and contemplate, the
constant qualification of their insolence by
abusing men and calling them scoundrels and
traitors to their country ;-meanwhiIe the
quiet honest citizen is to be kept satisfied and
gratifed with the deiuSion Of Indemnity, elated
with the splendor Of military victories, and
intoxicated with the glitter, ccat, and shout
Of military glory. Gentlemen holding posi-
tons in that august body in the other end Of
this capitol, address large popular assem-
blies in spirit-sirrine eloquence, goadlng them
on to the career of unlimited acquisition, by
military conquest. Indeed the mask Of dis
guiSe has become too transparent to be re-
tanned; and the chairman OF the Committee
of Foreign Relations in the Senate, holding
that position of intimacy and confidence with
the Executive, has, in the most unqualified
terms, avoN ed it in his place in the Senate, as
the wel-settled pr11cip pie of American repub-
licanism, to take By force Of arms aChatercr
by negotiation. This declaration, startling as
avowing the principle which hno, in fact, di-
rccted this whole affair with Mexico.
1t can hardly be expected that l should en-
ter into a deliberate argument to retute a
doctrine SO monstrous, and unworthy even of
the most barbarous age; and yet l have
heard no reprobation of it, call on all who
have any respect for the character of our faith
ers, who in their Declaration Of Independence
paid respect to the opinions Of mankind" in
the declaration of their purposes, and called
on God to prosper the right call upon the
Executive, and those who have thus far sus-
tanned it, (who have thus far shown some re-
spcct to the opinion of mankind by Disgusting
SO long the purpose Of conquesD-to utterly
diSavow such Il sentiment, and to abandon
their project Of conquest so rulnous and dis
graceful. call on all honest men, Of all sects
and who have within them any respect fol
truth and Justice, or the love or fear Of God
its source and embodiment, to wipe the fou
stain of such a sentiment from the character
of this country, and save us from pollution.
would speak with GOODNESS on every topic
of discussion in this House; but, when have
seen train Of events, all tending to one re
suit, long pursued, and have seen, step b,
step, the public mind led on and prepared TO
| it, and then at last have witnessed the an
nouncement of so shocking and monstrous
principle, cannot disguise my abhorrenc'
and indignation.
Here Mr.. Mckay proposed to explain, ant
said the member OF the Senate, alluded tc
had since explained himself, and held onl
that tnrcble possession could be taken of III
territory to do which was claim of right.
| have not seen that explanation l speal
of what appeared in the official Senate re
port; but do not now perceive that if til
explanation is what the gentleman states,
amounts to much as we have but to preten
some claim to any country, ana proceed I
conquer it. But, really, what claim have W
to Mexico or any part of it, which we ar
proceeding to conquer?
l will now proceed to state, IN as summar,
and distinct Il manner as the remainder OF m
hour will allow, my views and objections t
acquisition by conquest. Let me be here un
derstood, that in the remarks ] now make
am in no way speaking of, or Directing to, tn
extension of territories by just, fair and hor
orable means. When the opportunity of
penceable purchase presents, it then become
a mere question of cxpediency, When, fror
an admiration of our character and institr
tons, and an honest desire to participate i
their blessings, neighboring country, of ii
own accord, should solicit Il union with GU
national family, it might present a stron
claim on our magnanimity to admit it. M
present purpose is to state my objections t
extension of our country by force of arms, b
conquest