Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1848-02-05

OF the Mexican republic.
The Secretary of War, in his report, speaks of
three plans. Why, sir, there are but two, in
fact, if | am capable of understanding what
seems to be tolerably plain language. Human
ingenuity cannot make of it more than two
plans, although he has made numerical divis-
ions into three. What are they?
Our further operation must, in my opinion, be
conducted in one of the three following modes First
to take and hold indemnity line to recede from all
places and positions now occupied in advance of it,
and cease from all aggressive operations beyond that
line. Second to Overrun the whole country and hold
all the principal places in it by permanent garrisons;
and, third, to retain what we possess, open the
lines OF communication into the interior, and extend
our operations TO other important places
and the prospect of advantages shall indicate, keep
ing disposable force always ready, within approach
force contributions. and Illustrate his efforts collect
means and assemble troops for the purpose of pro-
tractlng the war.
Well now, sir. is il not strange that numbers
two and three should be considered separate
and distinct plans? The second is to overrun
and hold the principal places in Mexico, by es-
tablishing garrisons therein. What is the third?
1t is to retain what we possess, to open a COM
munication with the interior, and to take other
places, according as our means may enable us.
Does he mean under the second plan to take
W
Under the first of the two latter of the Secreta-
RVS plans, lac proposed to take all the principal
places in Mexico; and, under the second of
them, he proposes to keep what we have got,
and get all we can. Well now, the President
has adopted the the third of the plans reported
by the Secretary, as enumerated by him upon
which war is TO be carried on, and it is upon
that basis that supplies are asked and partic-
ularly the ten regiments proposed TO be raised
by this bill, to assist in carrying out the opera
tions of this war, in accordance with the views
of the Secretary.
Well, sir, believing, as do, that the neces-
sary consequences OF furnishing the means
which are required by this bill, will be to en-
able the Secretary of War, under the direction
of the President, to take possession of the
whole of Mexico, cannot vote for it. / am
opposed to augmenting the forces.
How is the conquest of Mexico to be effec
tedl How is peace to be brought about, un
der this mode of prosecuting a war, except by
the seizure and sUbjugation of the whole coun
try? | cannot vote, sir, for any plan by which
Mexico is to be conquered and annexed Be
cause, in the first place it would be unjust -
Ii would in my judgement. according TO my
convictions of right, be a high and flagran
wrong for us to seize upon ard incorporate the
territories of that republic as our own. | be
lieve il would fix stigma upon the character
of this people which all successive ages would
not be able to wipe out.
! No obi ZION that thousands Of years could
throw over it--no darkness with which The
lapse of ages could surround it, would proven
/ the fragrant enormity of such measure from
being apparent TO all posterity. How coult
our future historians and poets, be able to re.
late the tale of this couutry's doings in regarC
to this feeble, unfortunate, degraded, and accor
ding TO the operations which seem TO be pro
posed, seized, annexed, and inco rporated re
public? In vain would the attempt be made I,
close the eyes of mankind against the gross in
justice of this procedure, by throwing around
it the flimsy pretences which patriotism nigh
suggest.
Sir, now we have the flaming blaze OF mill
tary glory cast over these operations. We be
hold them in light which is in some respect
calculated to mislead and deceive, but whel
the excitement of the present day, shall hav,
passed away, and they shall be looked at il
the clear light of history, and their true charac
ter pronounced by the voice of truth, there will
he universal verdict Of condemnation givel
by mankind My deliberate conviction is tina
in the judgement of posterity, if we should con
summate such wrong as this, the crimson
4 guilt of the partition OF Poland, would pale in
to absolute whiteness The one it would b
said was an act perpetrated by Monarchs, he
reditary rulers, men born to govern, and VIII
had been taught to regard others merely as tn
ministers of their pleasures, or the instrument
of increasing their power, and in whose JUST
fication il might be urged that they folowe
(. the example of their predecessors, and exercis
+ ed what they believed TO be their undoubte
right; but in the other case, it would be declar
ed that the act was committed by republica
government, based on principles of equal rights
and protesting friendship and good will to al
mankind, seeking for national happiness an
national glory in the peaceful arts, engaged i
the establishment of justice and tranquility
and regarding the whole human race as bretl
rem in blood, entitled to their humanity an
consideration. The writers of that distant az
+ would find
Nor floried prose nor honed lies;
Can bazOn evil deeds or consecrate a crime"
+ | am not willing that my country should no,
+ accede to the commission of this irreparabl
wrong, which would place upon her an inf
nous strain.
am opposed to the seizure and annexatio
, of Mexico, because il is as unwise as unjus
know there are some who entertain diffe
ent opinion, but it does seem clear to me ths
the accomplishment of such a measure as tn
Incorporation of Mexico, whether her peop
, are TO be introduced into community of righ
with us or to be held as a degraded and COZ
quered province-whether they are to sustai
. towards us the relation Of the territories whc