The North-Carolina standard., 1848-01-26


serted bounds, and possess the power and determi-
nation to make that title good by force, against the
original sovereignty? say it means this, and moth
ing more.
clared our independence in l776; the continued
seven years. Suppose treaty of peace had been
made recognising limits, but England had simply
retired from the contest in disgust with the struggle,
as she might well have done: would not title at
that moment have been good to every foot of our
glorious Thirteen as 1t was to the very battlefeds
of Saratoga and Yorktownl And yet how inconsid-
erable part of our country trodden by the
American soldier, within actual reach Of his arm
And yet how many hearts throughout the contest
beat high with true loyalty to England, and were
striking or Were burning to strike for the standard
No, sir; the proposition is not true, it is some
times understood. 1t only the ability to make
the usurpaon good by force of arms when the usurp
er's title Is by force of arms assaied. Subject to
this test, who doubt that Texas had the ability
to maintain her to any part of the territory claim
ed by her between the Nueces and the Rio Grande :!
Let the facts give the answer After her declaration
OF Independence, and after she had, by force, driven
the Mexican troops the latter river, they after
wards returned but twice, and each time driven
back; and from the period of the last incursion in
1884, no Mexican soldier crossed the river, and
civil officer of Mexico exercised Jurisdiction
over It. Texas then claimed the territory-TeXas
drove Mexico from it-Texas had apparently the pow
and certainly the WILL to drive her from it whenev
er she invaded it. If these the facts-and appeal
to the honorable senator from Texas for their truth
what doubt is there that to that part of her constu
tional limits she has title? Sir, a word or two
more, and upon this point have done. What sena-
tor, what American, would be content to aban-
don the territory, make the Nueces the boundary, and
fight only for that boundary! For peace, to put an
end to the war; spare the further eusion of blood
some might be found who would, by negotiation,
agree to that limit of Mexico-woud surrender all
title to the rest of Texas. But who is there who
would row propose to fall back to the Nueces, and
abandon at once the intermediate territory, the very
fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma to Mexi-
CO, and fight her only to the banks of the Nueces
beleve-I hope for the honor Of common allegiance
that there is not one. have said that trusted for
the sake of our heretofore stainless character that the
opinion l have thus feebly endeavored to maintain,
was correct-that the is, our part, just one.
If not, sir, why is it not 1t is because, without
justification, invaded Mexican soil. 1t is because
without justification, caused Mexican blood to be
spilled upon Mexican ground. 1t is because they
were met at their own homes, which we invaded :;
upon their fields, dear to them as love of coun-
try is tothem by all the associa-
tions which bind man to the soil of his birth in the
hottest of all duties-he defence of home and
try and have without right without excuse, without
palliation, given them to the sword-slaughtered
them by hundreds and thousands and driven the
vivors away. Sir, would not such a tale of wrong,
is not yet half told. What else have we done We
have seized upon it pretext for other, and, if
possible, yet deeper enormities. We have published
to the world falsehood. We have endeavored to
stated that the contest of their seekiug-not
ours and upon this degrading perversion have pur-
sued them with still more fnghtful outrage. We at
called into the field $4,000 soldiers-placed the
whole naval power of the government at the DISPOSE
ton of the Executive-intrusted him with ten mil
lions of dollars, and carried the thus begun
took possession of their towns, bombarded Monterey
carried it almost by storm, slaughtering men and
women by hundreds and thousands. Still the story
not told The damning dishonor is not yet as dark
as the truth. Another Congress assembled-we of
the Senate composing it in part We authorized ad-
ditional troops to be raised-we placed additional
funds in the hands of the President.
We hear of an intention to strike outraged Mexico
in yet more vital points: do not arrest it. We
suffer the expedition to go on; before the Mexican
blood is yet dry upon the fields of Pao Alto, Resaca
de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista, Vera Cruz
is bombarded. Her churches fall under the dreadful
aim of the mortar the blood of her women and chill
dren runs in streams through her before peaceful and
happy streets almost every thoroughare is obstruct
ed by the manged bodies of her slaughtered citizens
until at last her valer hold out longer before
the mighty and crushing power of arms. She
yet, still, vengeance is not glutted
Innocent, unoending, outraged Mexico has yet more
be wrung-more gallant blood to be shed-more wo-
men and children to be slaughtered-more agony in
every form to suffer. We have not yet had our fill of
blood. We march in fendish progress. At
Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, Chapultepec, Molno del
Key, our march OF slaughter IS renewed, and goes on
with yet more fearful violence. Mexican blood wa
tiers every plain The cries of Mexican agony startle
every ear; and still the work goes on We lay siege
to the city of Mexico itsef-bombard its peaceful
dwellings-make her streets to with human blood,
and slaughter again women and children until resis-
tance becomes unavailing We get possession of the
capital, and yet carry the contest. Sir, can our
country have done such deeds Is she so deeply
stepped in crime !! Has she no honor left q! Are
we Christian and civilized men, or are we robbers
and murderers hops she will pardon me the in
quiry and yet, if the war unjust-if ii was our
act, and not the act of Mexco-every human heart,
animated by single human feeling, can but answer
in the affirmative.
But no, sir-no, sir-it is not so she is high-
minded just and honorable she is civilized not saw
age; her citizens moral and Christian. Those
scenes are, inthe eye of God and man. be justified,
because necessary to honor, and forced upon us
in vindcation of violated rights. Mexico is an
swerabe for all these sad and sckening results The
is just, because she commenced it. 1t does exist
by her act and, help God, but for that convic-
ton, reverence truth and detest fasehood would
never have voted for the of the 18th May, 1896
SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
The celebration of the members of this new order
in place, last Saturday, conducted in novel
and very interesting manner. The introduction of
ments adopted by the association, supported by we'll
considered remarks from the movers and seconds,
gave variety and Zest to the proceedings uncommon
in public celebrations. The address of the Rev. Mr.
Morgan, at the close evidently the result of ma
ture hought and placed the objects of the society on
the most elevated ground.
The regalia of the order is simple, neat appropriate
to their governing sentiment of s. Love, Purity and
Fidelity and altogether becoming as badge of
distinction public occasions.
The material embodied In the association is such
as to give it dignity and an influence that must be