The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1848-04-12

kelly TO break up what is now expected TO
axe place, is The repugnauce of the Mex.
ran people to part with Mexican territory.
They would prefer to keep their territory,
nd that we should keep our money; or
We resolve that we should keep our money
md allow them to keep their territory.
We shall see. pretend to no powers OF
prediction. do not known what may hap.
pen. The times are full OF strange events.
Blu, think it probable, tina. if the treaty
which has gone to Mexico shall fail TO be
ratified, it will be because Of the aversion
Of the Mexican Congress or the Mexican
people to cede their territories, or any por.
ton of them, belonging to their republic.
I have said that l would rather have no
peace for the present, than to have aPeace
that brings territories for new States and the
reason is that believe we can get peace
just as soon without territory as with ia
peace more safe, more enduring-Sasiiy
more honorable 20 Us, the great republic
OF me western world. | hear gentlemen
say, tina, We have must have some terrific.
ry-,hat the people demand il. | deny it;
a, leas, ! say see no proof Of itwhatev
er. do no, doubt that there are individ.
uals hero and there, Of an enlerprsing
character, disposed to emigration, who
know nothing about New Mexico, bu, tina,
it is far off; and nothing Of California, bu.
that it 10 still farther off; who are tired Of
The dull pursuits Of agriculture and civil
life. dare say that there are hundreds
and thousands Of such persons who nigh,
wish for territory, in which to seek their
fortunes. Whatever is new. is attractive
to such minds. They feel the spirit of a
bord.rer, and that is, take it, to be pref.
! ~ tolerably content with his condition ill
somebody passes beyond him; and then
his disposition to take up his traps" and
pass beyond him who has passed himself,
and sit down farther off, is an irresistible
/ passion. At least, so says that grea, and
sagacious observer Of human manners
Chateaubriand, when he travelled in this
country in 1917. But, ! say, sir, that | dc
not find anywhere, nor that there exists
anywhere, any considerable, respectable
number of persons who think that We want
more territory and such territory. There
were twenly.four Of US last year, who vo'
ted against the prosecution Of the war fol-
the acquisition Of territory, on the ground
that We did not wan, i,-sou,hern men ant
northern men. | believe there were south
eTn gentlemen who concurred in that vote
and who found themselves, even agains
what might be supposed 10 be the loca
feeling and Partially able to sustain them
seiyes upon the ground of the wisdom o
The general policy of not seeking for ter
ritory, and by The acquisition Of territory
: 10 bring into our politics certain embarrass
! ;ng and embroiling questions. do not
learn that they suffered by the advocacy o.
such sentiments. rather believe thai
they triumphed in them, and | believe tina
through the greater portion of the South
if we can trust what has been said here
{ through The southwest to a very great ex
tent, the same sentiment is general-lha
there is no prevalent opinion in favor o
new territory and such territory, or Of al
aug mentation Of your population and b.
is, il not the undivided, the prepondera,ine
sentiment Of all the North. Blu, We ,hinl
we must take territory. For the sake o
peace we mus, take territory This is III
will of the President If we do not TAX
i, we may fare Orse Mr.. Polk will tax
no less That is fixed upon He is i'm
movable He has put down his foo. Fl
had put it down, sir, on fifty. -four forty,
but it didn't stay speak Of The Pres
den, Of the United States as +! speak Of a
Presidents, wilhou. dlsrespect, but kno,
no reason why his opinions, his will, hi
purpose declared to be fixed, should cor
troll US any more than our purpose forme
upon equally conscientious motives, and
, may add, formed under as high respons
ties as those which should control hin
We think he is firm and will not move.
should be sorry, sir, very sorry indeed ths
we should entertain more respect for III
firmness of an individual at the head
the government that we can entertain f
!, our own firmness. He will stand out, it
!. said, against Us. Do we fear TO stand OF
. a.ains, him? For one, do not. 1t al
pears to me to be sIavsh doctrine. Fl
one, ! am willing to meet the issue an
to 60 to the pleople, over all this broa
land. Ii We will take peace without ne
. States, and the administration will have r
peace without new States, / am willing
a stand upon that, and trust the people.
;. do that because in the first place think
4 is right; and in the next place | have r
distrust Of The people. | am not unwiIlin
, 10 put that to their sovereign decision an
. arbitration.
Sir, mold this question to be vital
i permanent -elemenlary-in tho futuI
!, prosperity Of his country and the ma'nle'
:. ance Of the constitution, and | am wiIlln
TO ;rus, that question to the people. | pr
fer that il should be submitted 10 then
:. because If what | regard as great Coz
. siitulional principle, or principle essen!
ally important TO The maintenance Of n
!, constitution be broken down, let il be ii
: &C, Of themselves. II shall never be m
. act. therefore do not distrus, the pc,
!, pile. am willing 10 take their sen,imel