Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-05-30

49,
territory ceded is gully OF bringing the same
charges against the irs,nations in The world, aid
Inc question will never be so"ed: "HoW can an
unfortunate war be avoidedP The dignity OF go
veInmenls and OF the people demand Olher I'm.
mulabe laws, and also character widely DINE
rent from thai which often springs from Inc
passions, generally spurious and dangerous
in their effects. TO dam up torrent which
is devastating every thing, toavoid useless
etTusion OF blood, 10 reinstale The nation IN
lis primitive condition, in order that II may
enjoy he .vaniases OF peace and public
order 10 10 al ,h.s hous al the same time SAILS
ty the unjust prctcnlions Of fortunate and victo-
rious enemy, is an act ii wisdom recommended
by both christianity and civilization. Inc teili'
tories ceded by the treaty moi lost ior Inc sum
o. fifteen millions Of dollars; but for the iecoVe-
ry OF our ports and invaded cities, The maj ceS'
SALON OF every class Of evils, every kind OF nor
rurs - bring consolation 10 nnumerable families,
which, abandoning their homes and places oil re-
SORT, have been suffering the ills OF poverty or
exposed to bcggary-in fine, 10 improve the occa'
siun which Providence presents Tor producing
systematic organization among The people, who
have not ceased 10 suffer during The long period
OF thirty years. Lei US be just, gentlemen.
Let US remove the veil which has prevented our
seeing The true condition OF things. We will
1890
which We have not learned 10 estimate properly,
may scatter upon US all the benefits which we
have desired, and which we shall certainly OBJ
tain il we stand firm in offering reslstess OPP
position TO anarchy and disorder.
1.-THE reaiy could have been submitted 10 your
elaboration precisely as il came from The hands
OF the Pleni polentiaries, my satisfaction al see.
ing the war al last brought 10 an end would not
have been lesscned, as il is this day, in conse-
quence OF the notifications introduced into il by
the Senate Of the United States, aud which have
received The sanction ol the President. could
have wished that no alteration had been made in
a negotiation which was in conformity with the
general views OF the Government OF The Ameri-
can Union-nol only because look upon modi-
ficaIinns as unfavurable, bu. TO prevent, also,
their being the subject OF exaggerated comment.
You will be ciIcums,aniially instructed in req ard
10 The reasons which the Cabinet OF the United
States has advanced in l1s ication OF the modi.
fcations. There will b. ced also before YOU
tor your direction, all 5 suitable information
on lie subject as may e., n!e you 10 form cor
rect and impartial Judgment. At present il is
sufficient for US 10 say 10 you, that it, in the OPT
MON of The Government justice had not been
evinced on The parl oi The Senate and Govern
men, ii The United States in Introducing such
notifications il is presumed, on the other hand,
they are not oil such importance that they should
sci aside the treaty. | believe, on the contrary,
that il uugh; IL BE- ratified upon The same terms in
which il has already received the sanction of The
American Government. Ny opinion is also
greatly strengthened by The fact, that new ne.
| solialion is neither expected or considered posi-
| be-much less could another be brought forward
upon basis more favorable Tor The Republic.
The character OF Inc address, and The assn
RANGES that you will find in such documents as
\ - Ia l,to M, h, rnf Del,
tons, all necessary data do not permit me TO en-
large further upon the treaty, or to ublrutc obser-
valicns which will doubtless occur 10 you, in
your examination Of The subject. But, allow me
10 assure you, that il is no vain fear, much less
/ an uniavorable estimat. ul the moral and physi-
cal strength uf the Mexican people, which COM
pes Inc 10 decide in favor oi peace. Nothing
could be more nniounded. | have lived long
| enough 10 witness the heroic efforts which the
nation made 10 sustain an unequal confess oi ele-
ven years, ard al last achieve lis lndeF endence.
| In the same civil war, was able 10 observe the
resources and elements OF that people which acts
with valur and energy. In The foreign war we
have Just witnessed, though in but lew engage.
menls, nave witnessed the courage and ilfmness
OF our soldiers, when commanded by chiefs Of
honor, aud in whom they had confidence, and we
have all remarked that The war woul have had
altogether different result, had The army aid The
National GUARDS been properly organized. !
have never believed, neither do | now believe,
that The Republic is absolutely incapable Of con-
linung the war and atfording an example which
might be transmitted with glory 10 posIelily.
But with The same frankness and good faith, |
| must say that am convinced that the condition
| in which we are, with all its attendant circum-
stances impeiously calls Tor peace, because, as
statesmen affirm, discussion upon The subject OF
| &c moi M In
proofs or adventurous aitempis--that The desire
tor military glory cannot Justify the continuance
count Of the distance Of The territories ceded, and
through want Of a national marine, il cannot be
reasonably expected that The result OF a war
would be fortunate negotiation, that would save
our territory entire | am well persuaded that
| our loss would be greater, and that there could
| be no excuse Tor the conduct Of the Government
and of Congress, il il did not guard against new
and more terrible evils. There is nothing in this
| opinion which Is not in strict conformity with
truth, and passion only can designate il as limid
and exaggerated. The elements of resistance
cannot be created in moment, neither is il with.
| in The power OF the most vigorous administration
10 cause distances 10 disappear in territory OF
such vast extent, and 10 gather the central popu-
Ialion upon points along The shores of the ocean
and The neighbofing frontiers.
| The Arguments which are advanced al this day
| against peace, are OF the same character with
those put forth in lS45. Fist, against the ac-
| acknowledgement Of The independence OF Texas, and
| subsequently against the negotiations with the u.
| States, which the administration Of that year
sought 10 establish.
| We have occasion this day 10 lament that tho
peace POLICY did not at that time prevail. Those
who were opposed TO it have been since undo
ceived, but their enlightenment has not been able
to exempt the Republic from misfortune. Tardy
| and barren as the lesson was, we ought never 10
| forget il. And, gentlemen, we will not forget
| it, but let US make glorious effort, that our
| children may not curse our memories.
| Contemplate for moment the confusion and
anarchy in which We should behold our country
| involved, if the foreign war should be con-
| tinued All the germs Of dscord would in the
event be aroused aud the flame of the passions
everywhere kindled. We are already made to
feel TOO deeply our social disorganization, the
| insecurity of towns and highways, the paralysis
OF every branch OF public wealth. and the &C.
neral wretchcdness Of the people.
Tho State of fucatan, presenting such
scene of devastation and barbarty, has been a
subject Of much pain and regret 10 the Govern
ment and the more SO that in is present situa-
| ton il could not extend the and which humanity
\ uemaNucu. III pUpuldlioH Hds plO
claimed the determination of the white race,
committed excuses which | shrink from re-
counting, and having taken possession OF the
principal cities, there is scarcely left TO the ia.
miles even the port Of Campeche, TO place
themselves under cover from the savage hordes.
| have not ceased to employ my thoughts upon
such measures as could be adopted for the safety
of that portion of our territory-but what can
the Government do under present circumstan.
ces'
Whatever fate Providenae NAV have in re-
serve Tor our unhappy cona.Y il is left for US
eentlcmen, 10 place her on road 10 prosperity
Ii peace is made and the nation has il in its pow
er 10 effect proper organization; il with The ex-
tended experience from which We have learned
so much, factions, disorder and decentralization
prevail we shall not be held responsible Tor such
scandals As men, we cannot foresee The future
destiny OF the people; but il we labor with reci-