Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-02-09
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
TRIAL OF PRESIDENT POLK,
Fou making war on Mexico.


The following amusngje u d'esprit from
the Danvers (Mass.) Courier. will excite
the risibles of every reader. be he Wing
or Democrat.
Robert Peel sworn-Have had some
thing to do with managing intercourse be-
tween nations. The laws of nations are
very elastic on the subject Of just causes
Of war. There are various causes which
Justify war. 1t is considered justifiable to
make war on weak nations. for reasons
that would be unjustifiable if the opposing
party were strong. Boundaries are
fruitful cause Of war. A plausible pretext
ought to be found or invented before going
TO war, even with a weak nation. Ii is
Unsuitable to make war on an ignorant and
-barbarous people to get their territory.
or make them receive opium. rum or gun
powder. 1t is considered Sufficient rea-
son to make war on barbarous people.
because they are dark colored, and live
on rice or hunting. Christian nations
make war on these tribes TO teach them
civilization and christianity. They do
this by first introducing cannon balls and
grape-shot TO destroy them, or rum and
gunpowder, by which they will destroy
themselves Christian nations sometimes
war with each other, to decide which is
the most christian nation, or whether a
certain Italian gentleman at Rome is the
head of the Church. 1t is justifiable for a
nation to employ press-gang to steal
men to serve on board ships Of war.
Cross xamined--N ational debt Of
Great Britain very large. Witness has
had much trouble in managngit. Amounts
to 500 millions of pounds sterling. Its
annual interest amounts to 900 millions of
dollars. This debt was contracted by
reason Of wars with foreign countries. Is
very oppressive to the people.
John Russell-N itness is now Premier
in the government Of Great Britain. Have
heard the evidence Of the last witness.
and agree with him on the subject of wars
with weak nations. The great national
debt of Great Britain was caused by her
wars. Its interest is a perpetual tax on
the laboring classes Of the country. II
universal suffrage prevailed there. as in
the United States, the debt would at once
be repudiated.
Mrs. Victoria Guelph Coburg, sworn-
This witness was an English lady. Of gen
tecl carriage and modest appearance. and
was attended by her h sband. Mr.. Albert
Coburg. and seven small children. all I'M
der nine years of age. Witness gave her
testimony with much fluency and without
much embarrassment. having been accus-
toned to speak in public. As her evil
dence was q mere echo Of that Of the pre-
ceding witIesS we omit it,
Arthur. Duke Of Wellington. called
This was tall. venerable looking indivd-
ual. with military bearing. who stated
L 4 e.
and military affairs Upon being asked
the usual question, '.What were just causes
of quarrel between nations7' he replied
as follows; 1t is necessary and useful &c
make war to get rid Of redundant popu-
la,ion. Every nation has few annual
thousands of its lower orders. whom il is
expcdient TO kill off by war When no.
engaged in fighting with civilized people
il is necessary to make war Oh savage
people. to keep the soldiery in practice.
| Cross Observation-Disclosures ought MOI
to be troubled by religious scruples. A
religious man has no business in a camp
Do not believe in the final prevalence o
pacific principles. Have a better opinion
Of mankind Such state ofthingS would
render the world unfit for a gentleman anG
a soldier.
Louis Philippe sworn This was 9
French gentleman. Of large stature and
portly mein. He speaks the English Ian
guage fluently. with only slight French
accent. Witness lives in France
Frenchmen love war and military glory
Thinks it lawful to make war Oh people
who refuse to trade with you on your OWL
terms. Sometimes two nations unite te
blockade the port Of weaker one. to force
the latter to trade with them. 1t is also
lawful for strong nation to take posses
sion of Islands in the ocean inhabited by
natives partly civilized and Chrstianized
to force upon them ardent spirits and the
vices Of civilized communities, as these
things promote trade. 1t is likewise law
full TO make war on people who wea
turbans, sit cross-leeged. and refuse TO ca
pork.
Cross examined-Think it right to repe
INVASION. Cannot blame the Mexicans 70
resistance when foreign army invad,
their territory and destro their people.
should do the same thing under simila
circumstances Wars have entailed
heavy debt on the French nation.
Stanislaus NiCholas-tnl q native O
Russia. and know something Of the wa
code in that country. 1t is there consid
cred lawful to make var in all cases stated
by former Witnesses 1t is also consider
ed right for three strong nations to conQue
a fourth, and partition it among the con
querors PERSISTENCE is made. those VII,
make it are exterminated. or made ..exie
|, Of Siberia 1t is proper for a natior
with extensive territory to make war on it
neighbor TO get more territorv-and ther
j, is absolutely necessary to obtain more
If the people presume to question you
right, exterminate them. Think the wa
agains, Mexico a just one by the Russian
code; witness is engaged in similar one
with the Caucassians.
Thomas Ritchie-I am acquainted witt
the management Of national affairs: has
formerly much to do with the political al
fairs Of Virginia; consider Virginia