The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-02
NUMBER 81.


that Mr.. Trist informed the Mexican COM
missioners that, even if the business and
boundary of Texas were adjusted, his in
struction, from the President we're such that
no peace could be made without the whole of
California and New Mexico were ceded to
us, and that we would, thereupon, make COM
pensation therefor in money, what it is worth
beyond our claim for the Mexican debts TO
our citizens, and our giving up all claim for
the expenses Of the war
From this it is certain, that indemnity for
the expenses of the war was not alone what
the President insisted on for it was made
sine qua non that we must have the whole of
New Mexico, and pay the difference. How,
then, can It be said that the war is prosecut-
ed only for indemnity? The Mexican CON-
missioners then asked Mr.. Trist, if, when tho
original cause Of the war was adjusted, to wit,
the Texas business, we could justify con.
tinuance of the war to compel them 10 sell
their country? This question has never been
answered but the war proceeds. But tho
great delusion which prevails in relation to
this subject of indemnity by taking land, is
this: Mexico has no land to ccdc TO US, or
to any body else. When any territory is
ceded by one nation to another, or is con-
quered by another, the new sovereign, or
government, succeeds to all the rights of the
former one and has jurisdiction over it, and
owns so much of the land as belonged to tho
former government, but does not acquire any
title to any land, owned by individual pro-
prietors. Spain always made her grants of
land, to individuals, in very large tracts
New Mexico is an old country and there is
not an acre of land in it, capable Of cultiva-
ten, that has not been granted to individu-
ais hundred years ago. The notion, then,
that we can, by possibility, obtain any money
| from land that can be gotten, either by con-
quest or by treaty, of Mexico, is an utterly
unfounded delusion. Something has been
said among the people as to mines, but be-
| lieve this Government has not attempted to
practice any delusion on our peape, by pre-
tending that any thing can be obtained that
way, except the small per cent which is paid
by way of tax on the gold and silver produc-
ed. The truth is, mining is kind Of lottery.
There are no mines 80 valuable as the mines
of agricultural wealth in the soil OF our own
country. The Mexican mines are not in the
ownership Of the Government, but are in tho
hands of foreign capitalists, from whom they
cannot be taken.
1t is obvious, too that whenever the reso-
luton is taken that war shall proceed, and
conquest be made, until the amount taken,
and to be kept, shall pay the expense of the
operation, there is no limit to the claim. 1t
is forever advancing and Mexico does not
now know, and never can know, IRON ono
day to another, the extent Of oar claim; nor
can our people or army ever know tor what
we are contending, because our demand IS
on a constantly sliding scale of uncertainty
But it is said our people will have land, and
that it will not do to make peace without some
] = q
truly informed of the condition of things, as
have already stated then they can easily DO
| satisfied. The President has but TO tell them
the whole truth. Besides, do not believe in
this uncomfortable svidity of our people to
steal land. Other gentlemen best know their
own constituents, but / have no hesitation in
saying, my constituents want no laud but
what they own, or fairly and peaccably prr-
chase and pay for.
1t ie, however, urged, that VIC cannot make
a treaty of peace and come away without dis =
honor unless we obtain cesson Of some ter
ritory | have already shown that a treaty
of peace, may, any day, be made, if VIC do
not insist on taking land. Now, sir, is it true
that we may not make a peace and come
home, or even come home without treaty,
without thereby mourning national dshonor,
unless we obtain some land If by the term
honor is understood something distinguished
from honesty; if reference is had to what is
called the code of honor, then | am not a
good casuist, for DO no: profess to be learn
ed in that code. 1t has been said that when
man appeals to his honor, it is because his
honesty has all been used up. l hope 1t may
not be so with my country. Now, profess
to know something of common honesty, and
think nation may do with honor what it
. can do with honesty, provided it does not
, furnish evidence of pusillanimity and nation
al cowardicc. Can it be possible, after all
the battles which our army has so bravely and
successfully fought against such fearful odds;
after destroying their army and capturing
, their capital when in full possession Of their
strong holds, and their officers captycs or tu.
gitives; when Mexico is PROSTATE at our feet,
can it be possible, we may not say, we have
r whipped YOU enough and are going home?
There can neither be national honor or glory
in beating PROSTATE foe. Is it possible We
must keep our foot on her neck, and pick her
= pockets, and strip her, before we can homer.
ab!y leave her? Has it come to this that at
ter all the harvest of laurels which las been
E gathered, our glory and national honor will
he sacrificed, unless we get land Amid
shouts of victory and halos Of glory which
rise over the battlefells, we hear, at last, the
whole settle down into the mercenary and
base cry of land, Iand land No, sir; to my
mind the sooner we leave that PROSTATE ma
ton, and the less we demand other, the great
, or is our magnanimty.
: 1t is suid we ought to continue the war, and
conquer Mexico, for the good of the people
of that country. 1t is no new thing in the
5 history of man, that u people should adopt
the notion that their religion, government,
and institutions, and even their race, are so
t much superior to all others as to make 1t
hoIy duty to extend them, even by force, as
blessings to others. 1t cannot be denied that
there is much danger that this may be the
weak point in our national character. So
superior is the nature of our Government to