The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-09


acquisition in the opposite quarter, and 1t is
we'll to understand that contederacy OF
States, Government independent of Great
Britain, and even annexation to, the United
States, have all come to he iiebatable ques-
tons in Canada ITSELF % not refer to any
contemplated instruction or violent reVolu-
ton; but it is cerar. that an entire though
peaceful change IL. the administration OF those
colonies, by when their government shall be-
come, in great measure, asSimilatcd TO our
own, and 1T no distant day allied with, II not
merrel in it, is both desired and expected by
large proportion Of those British subjects IN
the provinces, who, very few years since,
detestcd nothing more thoroughly than
American institutions.
TIE vote on the supply bill of May, 1916,
by which the existence Of the war with Mex
leo was recognized, has been much insisted
on as a committal of those who voted for the
bill to the support of all measures looking to
the prosecution of the war. | do not esteem
this argument a very ingenious one, on the
part of those who advance it. It's notorious
that the BILL as originally reported, contain
ed no declaration OF war, or recognition OF
the war as existing; that the false and Of
fensive preamble embracing that declaration
was offered as an amendment, after the time
for debate had been limited to two hours, dur
inc which no Wing was allowed to obtain the
floor; that the amendment was opposed by
almost every Wing member of the House ;
that several amendments, simply providing!
the necessary supplies, were rejected ana
that, after the adoption of the preamble, the
bill was Immediately passed under the prcvl-
Gus question. At that time nothing was
known of Taylor's victories. The army was
thought by military men in Washington, to
be in an emnently critical position; and 1t
was believed, that though it might sustain IT.
self for few weeks, yet, unless relieved 1t
must inevitably soon be cut Oft by the Mex
lean forces. The consequences OF defeat
would have been, in Il high degree, dl5as-
trous. We should have lost our most reliable
troops. A victory by the MeXlcans would
have stimulated them to desperate efforts 10
follow up the advantages they had gained
Foreign sympathies would have been enlist
ed in their favor, and foreign adventures, by
sea and land. would have tlocked to their
standard. These evils, it was hoped, might
be averted, by sending immediate succor tc
our gallant troops, whom the temerty OF the
Administration had exposed to imminent
hazard, and those opposed to the war wer(
anDarentlv left to choose between the sacr
flee of three thousand brave men and tht
suDport of a bill intended to save them
though prefaced by a preamble as false as the
provocution of the war was unlustlhaDle'-
The fact that war existed was, indeed, un
uuestionabe and the defence Of our country
and its troops was clearly a duty. Should
we be deferred from the performance OF Thu
duty because majority Of this House choS'
to assert, in spite Of our protcStatons to thu
contrary, that the war had been begun b.
the act of Mexico?" We thought not
It was plain thai Il snare was laid for us
The authors of the war desired to compel u
to sanction this as Just, or to expose US t
popular Indignation for refusing supplies be
Gevel to be necessary to save the army tror
destruction. We took what seemed to o
the only means of foiling this unworthy stra
taoem We voted against the amendment
but, when that was forced upon US, we sus
tanned the bill.
Perhaps, after all, this was an error Per
haps we ought to have better known ID
,vator Of our troops, and the skill OF thei
commanders, aa1 to have hoped from these
more favorable result than we could dare
expect from the justice OF our cause. But
this were 50, if we erred IN voting supple
which then seemed Indispensable for the sal
vation Of our army, and which were asKe'
for no other purpose, we should be stu NOR
inexcusabe for voting additional means now
when no su n necessity exists, and when TIL
iniquitous purpose Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT, plum
der, and conquest is proclaimed, with sh me
less proAigacy OF avowal, and ali open con
tempt of law, human and divine, OF which n
civilized world has seen NJ example since tn
PRONUNCIATION of the Christian dispensat OIL
Sir, la k words TO express my abhorrenc
of the heaven-1 aring insolence with whlc
mlx;ms, that thieves and robbers would bluS
to own, have been appealed to by iniinentia
American statesmen as the rules by which th
foreign policy of this great nation IS to b
determined. Human Language has yet II
name for that new crime, whereby might
and highly cultivated people is to put ltse
without the pale of civilization, and declar
Itself the enemy of law, and right, and hu
ananity; history records no instance OF such
heinous and impudent mockery OF ever
sanction that man revercnccs and GOD h0
proclaimed.
Resides these general reasons against ful
nishing supplies for the prosecution OF tn
war there are other sufficient grounds 70
refusing to comply with the demand OF tn
President for additional forces. The regr
lar regiments already organi1ed are very ia
from full in rank and file. These the Pres
dent has power to fill up by enlistment an
there is little probability that this can be az
compished within the term ofanother twelve
mouth. Why, then, organize new regiment
yhile the existing ones are, and are destine
to remain. mere skeletons? The purpose
plain. The regiments are to be raised, {
rather Offered, for no other end or aim BIT
to increase the patronage Of the EXecutiV
TO enable it to reward hungry partlsan+,
purchase new ones, by prodigeI Distribute
of rank and emoiu,ncnts. How will the'
regiments be Off cred? Will the high,
comnlnds be rendered to gentlemen OF mil
- l...t;n, and ex nnrinnne 2 VIII fait