Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-03


that the little republic Of San Marine was
less happy than the great States Of Europe.
or that the Dichy Of Tuscany was less hap.
PLY administered than if il were under the
splendid sceptre OF Metteruichi Did gen.
llemen forget that the quiet, unprelending
Norway was at this day the freest country
in Europei II was not military strength
which enabled country TO resist the inys-
sion Of their liberties. Great fleets aud ar
mics, on the contrary. were themselves
means OF Executive patronage. They were
a concentrated embodiment OF Executive
power. while the resistance Of that power
was enleebled from its being scattered. In
small republics The distribution OF power
among different departments tended to the
preservation Of liberty. But in large re.
publics the reverse was true. The States
had no fleets, no regular armies; aud
though the militia, even OF one State, might
defy the armies Of the Federal Government
TO arms. yet those armies nigh, neverihe.
less enable an ambitious and uuprincipled
President to subvert the liberty OF his coun.
try. So Il had happened in the case OF
Rome the legions which had been raised
a Dictator on the throne. Aud so il seem.
ed not impossible il should happen again.
What had we lately scent The legions Of
Pennsylvania had voted in Mexico. The
ballot-box was carried with them as piece
Of camp furniture. and military command
er issued his order for the holding Of an
election for civil officers
When country possessed a genial soil
and climate. capable Of sustaining human
life by moderate industry. and Of furnishing
the materials Of profitable commerce, and
Of supplying its population with ample
means OF resisting invasion from without,
aud when its position as a nation was re-
cognised and respected BY the family OF ma.
tons around il, that nation was in possess
sion Of all the conditions OF national pros
perity. To il nothing could be gained by
war for territory. Now, the United
States had reached this point long ago He
was Of opinion that our original limits were
amply sufficient 10 secure 10 US all these
advantages. And he often felt inclined to
doubt whether !, had not been better for US
had we remained to this day with those
limits. Our territory was then equal TO the
kingdom of most European monarchs it
was inviolable by any foreign Power il
supplied US with vast and growing CON.
merce what more did we need Mr. NJ.
would not dispute the wisdom OF acquiring
Florida aud Eastern Louisiana, because
that seemed to be needful TO furnish u depot
for Western commerce but he did not see
how our condition could be improved now
by any new acquisitions He could not
perceive how the value Of Southern land
would be increased, or the price Of Genesee
-four raised, by our getting New Mexico
or how the merchants Of Boston, and New
York, and Philadelphia, and Baltimore, and
Charleston would be enriched by having
the seat Of the China trade transferred 10
the Bay ofSan Francisco. We surely need.
ed no more land than we now had, either
for population. commerce, or defence; and
he was not willing 10 wage a guilty war for
the benefit OF posterity.
Mr. M. confessed, moreover, that he was
good deal skeptical as to the very ford
descriptions which were given US Of the re.
gions Of California and Oregon but il they
we're all that some represented TO be in fer
tiliiy Of soil aud natural advantages Of eve.
ny kind, they would soon become able 10 sci
up an independent government for them
selves. Those countries were rapidly filling
up by population from the midst Of our
selves: they would naturally sympa,hizt
with our forms of government but there
could be no common interest between then
and US; and the time must soon come wher
the temporary bonds which might unit,
them 10 this republic must be severed
And was il worth all the blood and ,reasur,
Of this war to obtain such an acquisition al
that But. even should the acquisition o
territory be permanent, where was the proc
that il would be of any advantage to usi--
The advantage was not 10 be found in ihei
natural productions for all admitted tha
they would not sustain dense population
they were adapted only FOR the residence o
population in the lowest stage of ciyiliza
ton, in the semi-barbarous or pastora
stage. The population was mixed, hete
rogeneous, and different from US in Ian
guage, laws, religion, and customs. The ex
perience Of years had proved that they wer
unable TO govern themselves they were to,
ignorant 10 appreciate the value and bless
lngs OF free government. or to sustain
even when il should be set up among them
But how was this war 10 be carried on
Did the Administration really presume tina
the North would be weak enough TO bea
the expenses Of war undertaken and pros
ecuted exclusively TO promote the interest
Of the Southi The annexation Of Texas
/ by bringing two new votes into the Senate
had enabled the South to depreeaie the in
duslry Of The North, and deprive il of ih
! national protection; and now the same pc
, li,ical aspirants. after having done this, an
| plunged the country in war, called upo
{ the North to pay the expenses of the Who'll
, movement. The Secretary Of the Treasu
, ny proposed to tax tea and coffee; other
5 proposed TO tax all the articles Of the fire.
/; list others to tax bank stock and gold an
1 silver vessels. Disguise the scheme as the
9 might, il was all intended TO shift the bu
den Of this war, undertaken for Souther
: interests. upon the shoulders Of the Norti
' Would Southern gentlemen tell him win
4 amount Of bank stock was owned by III
d three or four millions Of our Souiher
|. slaves What amount Of costly jewelr
n adorned their persons or their dressl Q
what golden goble,s or silver plate wer
q usually employed by them at their meals
AI.M h.ra ,g.rnad thaaa s.antIanan IN