Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-07-19

Fgreat humanity and forbearance, and wit
complete success on our part, the peace ha
been concluded on terms the most libera
and magnanimous to Mexico. In her hands
/ the territories now ceded had remained, and
it is Believed, would haEs continued to re
main almest unocctpaed, and of little valu
to her or to any other nation; whilst as );
i part of sUnion, they will be productive.o
yastbenef3s to- the United. States,.s to- th,
commercial Woffd and TO the general Inter
tests of mankind {
The immediHte estab abhshment Of Terrific
lal governmen aud the extension of oul
la vs., over these valuable possessions, are
lsssa6s ssags e 4. u g. 'aaII Il
tministration Of justice within their limits.
/ to afford protection to the inhabitants, and
to facilitate the developement of the vast re-
sources and wealth which their acquisition
has added to our country.
| The war with Mexico having terminated
the power of the Executive to establish or tc
continue temporary civil governments over
these Territories, which existed under the
laws of nations whilst they were regarded
as conquered provinces in our military occu.
patton, has ceased. By their cession to the
| United States, Mexico has no longer any
power over them; and, until Congress shall
act, the inhabitants will be without any or
ganized government. Should they be left
L.,
will be likely to prevail.
Foreign commerce to a considerable a
mount is now carried on in the ports of Up
per California, which will require to be reg
ulated by our laws. As soon as our sys-
tenn shall be extended over this commerce, a
revenue of considerable amount will be at
once collected, and it is not doubted, that it
will be annually increased. For these, and
other obvious reasons, deem it to be my
duty, earnestly to recommend the action OF
Congress on the subject at the present ses-
sion.
In organizing governments over these
Territories, fraught with such vast adyan-
tages to every portion of our Union, l in
woke the spirit Of concession, Cancellation,
and comprise in your deliberations, in which
the constitution was framed, in which it
should be administered, and which is so
indispensable to preserve and perpetuate the
harmony and union of the States. We
should never forget that this Union of con-
federated States Was established and ce-
mented by kindred blood, and by the COM
mon tolls, sufferings, dangers, and triumphs
of all it parts, and has been the ever aug
menting source of our national greatness
and Of all our blessings.
There has, perhaps, been no period since
the warning so impressiyely given to his
countrymen by Washington, to guard
against geographical divisions and sectional
parties, which appeals with greater force
than the present to the patriotic, sober-mind-
ed, and rejecting of all parties and of all
sections of our country. Who can calcu-
late the value of our glorious Union? 1t
is a model and example Of free government
to all the world, and is the star cf hope and
the haven CT rest to the oppressed Of every
cline. By its preservation, we have been
rapidly advanced as nation to a height of
strength, power, and happiness, without
parallel in the history of the world. AS we
extended its blessings over new regions, shall
we be so unwise as to endanger its existence
by geographical divisions and dissensions?
With view to encourage the early set
tlement of these distant possessions, recon-
mend that liberal grants Of the public lands
be secured to all our citizens who have set
tied, or may in a limited period settle, with
in their limits. .---.
In execution of the provisions of the trea-
ty, orders have been issued to our military
and naval forces to evacuate, without delay,
the Mexican provinces, cities, towns, and
fortified places in our military occupation,
and which are not embraced in the terrific
ries ceded to the United States. The army
is already on its way to the United States.
That portion of it, as well regulars as volun-
teers, who engaged to serve during the war
with Mexico, will be discharged as soon as
they can be transported Or marched to con-
yenient points in the vicinity of their homes
Apart Of the regular army will be employed
in New Mexico and Upper California, to af-
ford protection to the Inhabitants, and to
guard our interests in these territories.
The old army, as it existed before the
commencement of the war with Mexico
if authority be given to fill up the
rank and file Of the several corps to the max
imum number authorized during the war
it is believed, will be sufficient force to be-
retained in service during period Of peace.
A, few additional officers in the line and
staff of the army have been authorized; and
these, it is believed, will be necessary in the
peace ESTABLISH hment, and should be retained
in the service. The number of the general
Offices may be reduced, as vacancies occur
by the casualties of the service, to what it
was before the war.
While the people Of other countries, who
live under forms of government less free
than our own, have been for ages oppressed
by taxation to support large standing armies
in periods of peace, our experience has
shown that such establishments are unneces-
sary in republic. Our standing army is
to be found in the bosom of society. It is
composed of free citizens, who are ever
ready to take up arms in the service of their
country, when an emergency requires it.
Our experience in the war Just closed fully
confirms the opinion, that such an army
may be raised upon a few weeks notice and
that our citizen soldiers are equal to any
troops in the world. No reason. therefore
is perceived, why we should enlarge our
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