Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-29
ACQUISITION of desired Territory By Force, ,oith-
out regmdfo 10 Right, the ruling Principle ofMe
Administration, boldly and publicly avotoed.

Within lew Gays past some developments
have been made, on the floor of the Senate, not
lille startling to those who have been accustomed
10 regard pervadng morality the only founda-
ton for national greatness, and to believe that ap
parent prosperity, built on the violation of justice
must be of short duration.
II has heretofore been our duty to animadvert
with free dom on the measures of the Admaistra-
ion and while seeking TO demonstrate that these
measures, however attempted to be masked under
colorado pretexts, were ntrnsically unrighteous
and unjust, supposed that this fact, if establish
ed, would have some tendency to arrest the Ad-
minislration in its course. But now the thin dis
guises with which il was attempted TO veil the poll
cy of war, of rapine, and Of murder, are thrown
away, and the plunder, devastation, and seizure Of
subugated provinces, from no other motive than
cupidity or selfish aggrandizement, is openly ayow-
ed as the ruling principle of those in power.
We ask no other proof of this assertion than
attentive perusal of the debate in the Senate Of the
United States; taken from the official report of their
proceedings and published in this days paper.
1t will be seen, from this debate, that while Mr..
CLAYTON, of Delaware, held up for imitation the
wisdom Justice, forbearance and moderation which
JEFFERSON in the numerous differences which had
occurred with foreign Powers, and especially in the
threatening crisis which resulted in the peaceful
auisitorof Louisiana, the Chairman of the Com
mttee on Foreign Relations openly avowed that
the conquest and permanent occupation of just so
much of Mexico thought expedient the
object of the Administration, and that principle
placing the weak in the power OF the strong, and
leading to perpetual wars and universal conquest,
was the one by which the Democracy of the coun-
try had regulated their conduct.
Desiring to fortify principle SO revolving by the
veneraled names Of Mr.. MADISON and Mr. JEFFER-
SON. the Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations declares q There are numerous cases,
all tending to the point, that whenever it be-
comes mpracticable for the United States to OBJ
tain territory by purchase, we TAKE IT by force.
All that strip Of country lying between Natchez
and Baton Rouge taken possession of IN
THAT WAY. And we have done so in all cases,
when could not obtain territory by negotiation
and this course has been pursued throughout the
world, in all times, by all Powers. Territories
10 which we have claim by negotiation take
by force, if we can, and think it expedient to
do so''
Ii is 10 this principle, thus boldly avowed by the
member of the Senate placed in the. most respon-
sible situation as the acknowledged and confidential
spokesman of the Executive-applicable as it is to
the origin of the war; the motive for It's prosecu-
iion, and the declared purpose seize and perma-
nently occupy neighboring Repubc-that we de-
sire TO call the sober thoughts and profound refec-
lions of the American people.
Is this true Have we discarded the distinc-
tons of right and wrong! Are We TO inform the
nations Of the earth that they hold their possessions
by no other tenure but our own cupidity and ambi-
ton Is no right Of property, no acknowledgment
by treaty, no form of government, no serrtoral
boundary, to constitute limit TO our expanding
energies Are we to become confederacy OF
pirates and robbers making our claims and preten-
sions the only safeguard of other States I! Do we
sci defiance the principles of morality, the die
tates Of religion, and the acknowledged code by
which all civilized nations profess to regulate their
conduct! Are the foundations of our greatness to
be the ruins OF subjugated States And is il by
power, through ields Of blood, that we are here
after 10 extend the area OF our freedom!
Nor is this all When once we admit princi
eign States, how long will il be before the morals
of the people will be debauched, laws become use
less FORMS spirit of universal cupidty be engen-
dered and every man, converting his dwelling into
castle will be compelled defend his possessions
his property, and his life by force of arms
As public journalists, we denounce this savage
ruthless, remorseess principle. II may, indeed,
nav. il no doubt did, cause the o-.ssnation and pro-
secuton Of this Mexican But let us not libel
the memory Of those who have preceded US II
has no support from the precepts or the example Of
the Fathers Of the Republic, while it is opposed
alike by policy, by justice, and humanity.
Thus much have thought proper to say in
condemnation Of principle, under the sanction OF
which it is proposed TO seize, to conquer, and TO
hold the whole Of Mexico, as subjugated pro-
vince. twill be purpose, hereafter, to review
the manner in which the truths of history have been
perverted, for the purpose Of throwing over this
insaiate lust Of empire the mantle of venerated
names, claimed as the bulwarls Of modern De.
mocracy.
LouIsIANA.-The Legislature Of this State met
in the beginning of last week. In the Senate the
n ;o,,t Goyornar nresides In ,hn uo,.a of Ranra-