Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-07-07
The Duty of the People of the North.

The Duty of the People Of the North.
One of the greatest evils entailed upon the
people of the United States, by the wicked and
aggressive war just closed, is the acquisition of
q large territory. Whether the territory acqui
red be fertile or barren waste-whether il be
blooming as the rose or desolate as the Arabian
deserts-or, whether it be the home of the pes
tlence and malaria, country where
ain ford beauty fields and groves appear;
Man seems the only growth that dwndles here"
is matter that concerns not the general issue.
If territory had been needed-if our circum-
scribed limits and want of room had made it
polite for us to extend our borders theh, the fer
Iility Of the territory proposed to be purchased
would have been an important consideration in
the details of the bargain. But, with our mill
lions upon millions of acres Of unoCcupied ter
ritory, stretching across almost every degree of
habitable latitude, and embracing every variety
Of soil and climate, the want of room could not
have been any reason for the further extension
of our territorial borders. Some other consid-
Grafton must have had more immediate bear
ing in our debating terms of peace to our van
quished enemy-n adjusting the measure of our
''indemnity for the past and security for the fu-
Iure."
While the war was still wagng-whilo oourin-
domitablearmy were still engaged lin conformity
with orders issued by the Executive) in laying
waste the lairest portionof the Republic Of Mex
ico-when it first became apparent that the OBJ
ject Of the President wasthe conquest of large
portion, if not the total annhilation, Of Mexico
that the acquisition of large territory was
the only "indemnity" that would suit the palate
Of the Executive, most refecting minds foresaw
the dangers with which we would have 10 con-
tend if the objects of the Executive were accom-
plished
When this state Of things become fully de-
VeIoped-when the Vaccinations Of the Presi-
dent became apparent to every calm observer,
we were amongst those who confidently beIlev-
ed that the conservative spirit of the people
would stay his wicked designs-would lrown
down all attempts at nquest-woud preserve
our own institutions inviolate, and leave other
governments to regulate their own affairs, and
institute laws Of their own selection.
When the "Wilmot Proviso" was first offer
ed in Congress we were not, in the strict sense of
she term, favorable 10 the measure, nor do we
believe that it met with favor from the people of
ihe north. 1t was regarded, as far as we are a.
ware, as a dangerous experlment-one that
should never be adopted from choice, however
acceptable it might prove as an mtimatum.-
This feeling was strengthened by the belief that
the south would maintain the position assumed
by southern members Of Congress, and resist
any further extension Of our territorial limits.
As this position would accomplish all that the
friends of the "Wimot Proviso" desired or pro-
posed 10 accomplish, and would not create the
contention, the jarrng, the sectional conflict that
would follow the introduction Of proposition
designed to add strength exclusively 10 one Sec
tion OF the Union, it was readily embraced by
the people of the norh as compromise mea.
sure-as an olive branch, offering peace to the
Union, and tranquility to the people.
In this belief, fondly entertained and cordially
cherished, the people of the north were disap.
pointed. When a treaty was presented to the
Senate, making conquest of Mexican terrific.
ry,-securing all the "indemnity" the President
eslred,-robbing Mexico of large tract Of hel
territory, southern Senators, in solid phalanx
were found ready to sanction the measure
ready to acquiesce in a scheme designed, by it:
originators, TO make the north showers of wooc
and drawers of water" to the south; or tba
would create commotion that will shake this
Union to It's centre.
The President was but too successful in hi.
base designs. All the "indemnty" he sough
has been secured, in the "annexaton" of {
large parcel of Mexican territory. This terri
tory has been forcedupon us against the protests
and remonstrances Of the people of the north