The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-30
NUMBER Al.


; independently Of the Constitution or, if that
f country be, for the time being, subject to your
laws, he has violated the Constitution by
making himself the law-maker and disowning
your jurisdiction.
Sir, if you leave him to the exercise of this
despotic power, what will be the effect on tho
institutions Of this country2 The tendency
OF all this is to ,infuse a military spirit into
the Constitution, to engraft upon it an extra
ncous power Of the most arbitrary character,
which will absorb the limited and delegated
powers Of the Constitution, and override its
restrictions. What sort of Administration
shall we have with a military head welding
purse and sword not subject to our con-
troll =? This war is debauching the nation with
the love Of military glory, giving to our inSti-
tutions Il military character, and placing at
their head, instead Of the constitutional Pres
ident military colossus. This may lead to
the overturning of your Government, and the
destruction Of your liberties. Sir, this is the
worst aspect, in my humble judgment, in
which this unfortunate war can be viewed.
We may yet feel safe. We may rely upon
the energies Of this people and their love of
| liberty. But who can penetrate the future?
There are those now living whose memory
can embrace both extremities thus far of our
national existence who remember the period
of 1769, and the adoption Of the Constitution;
and who are at this moment watching with
extreme anxiety the issue Of the present cri-
sis. Who among them would have believed,
had it been foretold, the astonishing advance
ment of this country? Sir, many of us of
younger age have lived to see what we never
imagined would occur in our day. Our pro-
gress in the gradations of national existence
has been without a parallel; and if there be
in national existence such thing as youth,
maturity, decrcpitude, and decay we have
gone through the first with unexampled ra-
pidity, and may find ourselves at the last ere
we are aware of it. We have accomplished
within three score years what has required
centuries elsewhere. We may find our de-
cline as rapid as our growth. We may te
prepared for the fate Of other republics in All
early stage of our national existence, as our
maturity has been early. We may fud cur.
selves at period corresponding with the IA
pdity Of our national advancement, the sub
ject5 Of corruption and decay; and, like pre-
ccding republics, the subjects of military
usurper.
Sir, l hoped it would not be my fate to
witness such result; but that the present
condition of the country tends to such a re-
suit, we have too much reason to fear Sir,
let this war be terminated; let US return to
the beautiful condition of peace that condi-
ton best adapted to our institutions and that
alone in which they can be perpetuated.
How shall the war be terminated ? NY
answer is, by demanding of Mexico no moro
than is reasonable and just. A sense of jus
tice will bel p us more if we desire peace than
all the armies of the world. Put yourselves,
if you can, upon an equality with that people
in point Of power, and then ask Yourselves
what under all circumstances, is proper to be
required of them.
What has been our course hitherto? We
have sent out Mr.. Trist as our peace commits
sioner but we have sent our armies with him.
We have rendered negotiation, but it has been
negotiation at the point of the bayonet We
have commenced negotiation with a PROPOSE
ton to dismember their empire. Give us,
say we, onc-half your empire, or we will take
| it by force, and the other half with it, to pay
the costs Of the proceeding. Had such a pro-
position been made to us by any Power, or
by all the Powers upon earth, what would
have been the sentiment Of the American peo-
ple2 Sir, recolect well thai at the COM
menCement Of negotiations at Client, pro-
position was made by the British commission
ers 10 establish whatthey called the old French
line of Canada, which would have thrown ne
and great portion Of my humble conSiitu-
ency into the dominions of Queen Victoria.
Has any one forgotten the burst of indgna-
ton which ran through this land at propos-
ition so humbling and insulting, or The indig-
nant reply Of our commissioners to the pro-
position? Sir, is there man who hears me
who would not, had lie been a Mexican, as no
is an American, have repellcd the proposition
with scorn?
Sir, if my advice were asked as to the best
mode Of terminating this war, would tell
you, instead of INDUCING in the spirit Of ag-
erosion and conquest, irflse little nodera-
ton into yotr counsels, abate little of your
high and offensive pletensions, show dspos-
ition to preserve, instead of destroying the
nationality OF Mcxico--a disposition to leave
to her the integrity Of her empire, rather than
to dismember it-be satisfied with a reusona-
bic provision for your claims. If this war DO
a war of indemnity and not of conquest, be
satisfied with reasonable indemnity; say no
more about indemnity for the expenses Of tho
war, which you know is altogether beyond
her ability; and, above all, show a wiling
ness to relieve her from the presence of your
armies, so offensive to her national pride.
Place yourselves on this ground, and l will
venture my humble prediction that this un-
fortunate war will soon be ended.