Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-02-23

part by the consideration that being a purely
financial treatise; its particulars would not
much interest or read-rs generally as would the
same amount of miscellaneous matter. The
main object of the Address is to iuculcate the
necessity Of providing for the expenses Of the
in u way more to be rel led upon than IA mere
issue of Treasury Notes, which could be made
available only 10 limited amount
There is a portion of this Address, however,
which takes grav.r than merely financial. view
Of the Mexican war, which is full of instruc-
ton and Of prophetic warning, that. for the pur-
pose Of drawing the attention Of the reader more
directly to it, We separate il from the rest OF lhe
tract. and here repeat It as follows;
"In a defensive the people would cheer
fully bear every species OF taxation, ami Govern
ment might call forth all the resources of the
country. 1t is quite otherW Use ia "A war Of inva-
sion and Conquest. The Administration say
that their object is to conquer peace; that is TO
say. peace which will give. according to the
common vague form, in ienuity for the past and
security for the future l, is not int nded here
to inquire what ign; the United States have TO
ask any indemnity from Mexico. Justice is out
OF the question:; We have To al only with expe
diency. Bot to say that we mast have security
guaranty for the future is really too ridiculous
No suppose that .NeIico rtU iRrade
the United Stafes. But the Mexicans may think
that they want some security against Govern
men. which oisnembc!s and threatens subjuga-
ton.
"Whatever species of peace may be cont-m-
plated, il is necessary, in the irst place, to find
Government with whom to treat; and that, IN II
country entirely conquered or occupied, is I'M
possible. In order 10 make a real treaty of peace
that Government must be free agent, and no
such be formed, if extend occu-
patton over the whole or the greater part OF the
country. That free agency is the only guaranty
that the United States want for solid and real
peace. A treaty made under durresse would be
but the phantom of peace
"But the Administration, in order to attain the
object they have in view. ask for more men and
money. 1t must be admitted that the army
which, under General Scott. after IL series of ex-
traordnary victories, penetrated into the heart
of the Mexican dominIons, and took possession
Of ther metropolis, was apparently incompetent
for such bold enterprise; and that with great
e force. tho success would have been more GER
tain, and ended w ih less lamen table loss of
men. But il 10 neve rheless true that an army
of less than ten thousand effective men did per-
form that wonderful work, defeated forces three
times hume rous themselves, de Tended by
fortresses and strong positions, and annihllated
or dispersed all the troops Of the enemy; and
now, that enec tive force from Vera Cruz to
Mexico has been moro than doubled. and that,
with the exception of some mise rabie guerllas,
there - no enemy 30 encounter. the number OF
troops authorized by law declared to be INSULT
cent; and fifty thousand regulars, will, reserve
of twenty thousand volunteers, sand to be
necessary, in order to occupy that which has
been conque red, and to extend that occupation
over a greater extent Of territory. The only
| avowed object is to conquer peace; but aooni1 not
this course neritably lead to that sutJmgation and
annexation for ,rAich the party is anrious?
''This magnfcen ut plan, whether effected by
the humiliation Of the native population or b.,
enslaving it, will promote their welfare, aud is
also called pacfcation. "Tbi solitudincm (seu
serritutem) faciunt. paeem appeliant' But if this
sxtravagant project. suggested by the most un
bounded ambition, should be carried into effect
,cH not simply say TINT 1T trouId indics mortal
round on our Institutions: assert that it ,coud
break dorn our o,rn Union into separate communal
ties, and destroy our nationality.
"For the object avowed by the Administration
there is not the slightest necessity to increase
the number OF troops now authorized by law
The only effect would be to perpetuate large
stand ing army; to increase indefinitely the execu
tire patronage. and to appoint greedy proconsnts
ouer the sererai MEXICAN Departments rhieh Nigh
| be occupied"