The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1848-02-09

10 conclude peace, and she would remain
hostile st i, killing and cutting the throats
of our gallant soldiers whenever found with
In their reach unprotected. Itis to late in
the day to adopt such policy now, after
debt Of millions has been contracted, and
the blood Of our gallant country.men has
Redeemed the sleeps Of Cero Gordo and flow
ed like water over the plains of Mexico.
The army requisite TO defend and hold the
proposed line would be q continual heavy
expense to our Government and the garri
sons widely separated from each o.her would
be liable to be starved out or crashed by
overwhelming numbers. But it is said that
Texas defended her frontiers for seven years
from the inroads and attacks of the Mexcans
with comparatively a small force. Yet the
Nation was not then exasperated and driv-
en- to madness US she is now. During those
seven years Mexico WIS torn TO pieces by
intestine feuds and revolutions and although
often threatning did not really attempt the
reconquest of Texas And although she is
still divided in'o parties, each party has
united in swearing eternal hatred to our
race, and if the American army is with
drawn will rally IN defence of their com
mon country.
Another proposition is the entire conquest
of the country and to hold it by garrisoning
her cities and towns. This too has its ad-
vocates who are by no means contemplate
in point of ability and influence. But we
again ask what would be the advantage 10
our government of such policy: If,he
conquest of the country was practicable,
millions upon millions year would be re.
quired to support and army sufficient to
hold it, and our soldiers would grow gray
with age in garrison, and their palsed
limbs refuse to bear the arms required for
their defence. We know enough OF the
Spanish character TO say, that the conquest
OF Mexico would be no childs play, it is
true our armies may sweep over her troops
as did those of Napoleon in Spain, but they
will rise again, and like the many headed
Hydra, when one of its heads is stricken off,
another will take its place and hiss def
ance at i.s enemy. What would it benefit
our government. then to hold country
thus unruly and expensive7
But what course can be pursued to ter.
inmate the wari Perhaps some of our
readers will be startled at the proposition .oe
are about to make, but hear us through.
1t is known by all who know any thing of
Mexico that her Priests are by far the most
influential characters in.that priest ridden
land. And there is scarcely doub, that
if their councils and harangues had been
hushed, treaty Of peace would have been
concluded before our army reached their
Capital. From the almost exhaustle IS
treasures of their Churches the Mexican
armies have been paid and kept together
for twelve months past or more; not onlv
so, the avery bells Of these Churches have
been melted down to mako cannon for the
destruction of our country men. The
wealth OF these churches is still vast : into
their Golfers The hard earnings of the poor
man and the gold of the rich is emp,ied
Let our government then seize upon the
riches of those cathedrals, and thus indem.
n'ly herself for the expenses of the war, un.
less Mexico herself raise the requisite sum-
Could this be termed sacrilege! Does the
riches and magni6cence Of these churches
add to the purity of religion7 It is true.
obloquy and shame has been. heapcd upon
conquerors who have seized upon the pro.
perty of the conquered, and appropriated il
to their own uses. But surely the world
and posterity will justify us in ihie instance.
when it is known that offers Of peace have
been made again and again to this people
and that their priesthood,has not only caus.
ed the rejection Of those offers, but furnished
the tn. means to carry on the war against us,
This is the only possible way we can per
ceiye our country wilIeyer be enabled to
indie nifv he o,oal If fop Sho to....