The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-02-29

remained 10 this day within those limits. Our
territory was then equal TO the klngdom OF most
European monarchs; it was inyiolabie by any
foreign Power; II supplied us with vast ana
/ growing commerce: what more did we neea =
Mr. NJ would not dispute the wisdom of acquiring
Florida and Eastern Louisiana, because that's seem
ed to be needful to furnish depot for Western
commerce: but he did not see how our condition
could be improved by any new acqusitiohs-
lie could not perceive how the valne OF Southern
land would be increased. or the price OF OeHeSeS
flour raised bv our getting New Mexico; or now
the merchants of Boston, and New York, and
Philadelphia, and Baltimore. and tlarl eS:
wouI be enriched bv having the seat OF the Ohiha
trade transferred to the Bay OF san TIaieiS'V
.2rEs surely needed no more land than we no" n"u;
either for population. commerce, or defence ana
he was moi willing to wage guIty war ior INC
benefit of posteTltv.
azod deal skeptical as 10 the very ford DIES
Griu.ons which were given US of the regions
of California and Oregon but if they were all
that some represented them to be in fertility OF
soil and natural advantages of every kind they
would soon become able to set up an indePen-
dent government for themselves. Those coun-
tries we're rapidly filing up by population
from the midst of ourselves: they would natu-
rally svlnpathise with our forms of govern
ment hut there could be no common iEtetest
between them and us; and the time must soon
come when the temporary bonds which might
unite them to this republic mnst be severed
And was it worth all the blood and treasure OF
this war to obtain such an acquisition as that:
Bat, even should the,aequisition of territory De
permanent, where was the proof that II wouln
be of any advantage to us? The advantage
was not TO be found in their natural produc-
tions for all admitted that they would not sus-
-. ad1Dtc0
only for the residence of people in the lowest
stage of civilization. in the scmi-barbarons or
pastoral stage. The population was mixed,
heterogeneous, and different from us language
laws, religion, and customs. The experience
of wears had proved that they were unable to
govern themselves: they were too ignorant TO
appreciate the value and blessings of free gov
eminent. or to sustain it even when it should
be set up among them.
Bat how was this war to be carried on? Did
the Administration really presume that the
North would be weak enough TO bear the ex-
pcnses of a war undertaken and prosecuted
exclusively to promote the interests OF the
South? The annexation Of Texas, by bring
Z ing two new votes into the Senate, had ena-
Bed the South to depreciate the industry OF
the North, and deprive it of the national pro- |
lection aud now the same political aspirants,
try in war, called upon the North TO pay the |
expenses of the whole movement The Secre- |
tary OF the Treasury proposed to tax tea and
coffee; others proposed to tax all the articles OF
of the free list; others to tax bank stock and
gold and silver vessels. Disguise the scheme |
as they might, it was all intended TO shift the
burd IN of this war, undertaken for Sothern |
interests, upon 4.he shoulders of the North,
Would Southern gentlemen tell him what a
mount of bank stock was owned by the three
or four millions of our Southern slaves? What
amount of costly jewelry adorned their persons
or their dress? Or what golden goblets or sii-
yer plate were usually employed by them at
their meals?
Mr.. NJ. here warned these gentlemen that none
of these schemes tax one part of the country to
pay 70: to benefit the other part of it would
ever succeed. Those who commenced and were
DESTROYS of protractng the war ought to bear its
burdens. and would have to bear them,
1t mad becu very flatteringly said here that the
people were too patriotic refuse taxation for the
su1p It of the war Well. and if they were, were
gentlemen here ready to tax them according to
the orisions and original intent of the constitu-
ton that was. in proportion TO representation!
If any Northern man should vote TO tax the |
SLAVES who were represented on that floor, what
Sol:icrn man would vote for the bill1 it had
been said by gentleman here that no direct tax
alton EOnll &c needed. Mr.. NJ. was not OIL tlat /
opinion. We never should get at a knowledge of
tie VIII lie expenses of this war but looking at the
va:io Is sources of expenditure while the
ti1le and at he long train of claims that should
followed it, it would be found that the estimate |
made ny distinguished gentleman at The other
euj o the Capital was not an extravagant one.
= The population of Mexico ut this time was |
three times in amount what ours had been at the
Revolution; nor were they divided as We had beeu
by doubts to the sonndncss of our cause; not |
n loIht was felt in any breast, but they all
united as one man in the defence Of their coun
try and their religion. Now. if Great Britain, sf
ter eight years contest. content to withdraw
her fleets and armies, and sacrifice every point for
which she had gone to war with MS, at what ex
pcnse should we in the end be willing 10 withdraw
f.om Mexico and sign peace, giving all We were |
wiling to ask and she to give
Mr.. VI. said that he had thus briefly assigned |
Of the reasons against the acquisition of new
territory: and he thought that it was possible, by
union of good men throughout the country, 10 /
avert this dismcnlbcrmcnt Of Mexico Let them /
insist on peace that shOald he short of any dis /
mcmherment Of Mexican territory: let them re- |
fuse to sustain any longer for conquest; and I
say that they were ready to settle upon the terms
offered al the commencement of the struggle
There was another consideration which oucht ,
10 have commanding weight with all who loved
their country. Tie moment we should acquire !
any new territory at the South the flames Of the ,
old Missouri question would break forth anew and |
bncn more fercely than before The very mo- I.
mcnt such treaty came into the Senate the Nor !
them States would al once saw that there must be
a restriction against the admission Of slavery. /
The South would rise up aud say VIC never will
consent TO any restriction; is outrage on our
rights. And thus the new provinces would only
be thing to quarrel over, but never to enjoy.
Mr.. NJ, said he had admired the firmness of
Southern gentlemen on the Oregon question that !
in1pvflln cd
land, which seemed otherwise inevitable. 1t com !
PEELED the Administration settle very difficult
and embarrassing question in manner which was
now shown TO lie wise and satisfactory to all.
1t was commended that the passage for the sup
ply bill in May. 1886, was committal of all
who voted for it to the support Of the war. This,
4 10 saw the least was not verv ingenious. The |
first bill, as reported, c9ataintd no declaration Of
war nor any assertion that war existed by the act
of Mexico; that declaration was fuistcd in by an