The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-02-25
SENATOR DOUGLASS.

OF the party, perhaps no one will think it i'm
portant to attempt defence.
The settlement of the Oregon boundary is
he ground for one of the counts in his indct-
ment, and the treaty of peace with Mexico is
the ground of the other.
OF the Oregon treaty he says:
"Thrty years ago Mr.. Monroe, in his mes
sage to Congress, made memorable decara-
tion with respect to European colonization
upon this continent. That declaration has
ever since been favorite subject OF eulogium
with orators, politicians and statesmen. Re-
Gently it has assumed the dgnifed appella-
ton of the "Monroe doctrine." 1t seems to
be the part of patriotism for all to profess the
doctrine. while our Government has scarcely
! ever failed to repudate it. practically, when
ever an opportunity for its observance has
been presented. The Oregon treaty is no.
ted case in point"
But he is more specific, and full in relation
to our treaty with Mexico. OF this he says:
"When the American continent shall have
passed under the protectorate of the allied
Powers, and her future made dependent upon
treaty stipuations for carrying into effect the
objects Of the alliance, Europe will no longer
have cause for serious apprehensions at the
rapid growth, expansion. and development of
our Federal Union. She will then console
herself, that limits have been set and barriers
erected beyond which the territories of this
Republic can never extend, nor its principles
prevail. In confirmation of this view, sho
will find additional cause for congratulation
when she looks into the treaty of peace with
Mexico, and there sees the sacred honor of
this Republic irrevocably pledged that we
will never, in all coming time, annex anv
more Mexican territory in the mode in which
Texas was acquired. The fifth article con-
tains the following extraordinary provision:
THE boundary line established by this ar
ticle shall be religiously respected by each Of
the two Republics, and no change shall ever
be made therein, except by the express and
free consent of both nations lawfully given by
the General Government of each, in confor-
nifty with its own Constitution ,
One would naturally suppose, that for all
the ordinary purposes of treaty of peace, the
first clause of the paragraph "ould have Leem
entirely sufficient. 1t declares that the boun-
dary line established by this article shall be
religiousy respected by each of the two Re-
publics.' Why depart from the usual course
of proceeding in such cases, and add, that
no change shall euer be made therein, ercept bv
the cypress and free consent of 10th nations
LAWFULLY giren by the GENERAL Government
Of each, in conformity wih its OWN CoNsrIrU-
TIoNp What is the meaning of this peculiar
pharseology! The hist ry of Texas furnish
es the key by which the hidden meaning can
be unlocked. The Sabine was once the boun.
dairy between the Republics of the United
States and Mexico. By the revolt of Texas,
and the establishment of his independence,
and the acknowledgement thereof by the
great Powers Of the world, and her annexa-
ton to the United States, the boundary be-
tween the two Republics was changed from
the Sabine to the Rio Grande, lcithom "the
express and free consent of both nations, la,o-
fully given by the General Government of
each, in conformity with its own Constitu-
tion." Mexico regarded that change just
cause of war, and accordingly invaded Texas
with a view to the recovery of the lost terri
tory. A pro.racted war ensued, in which
thousands of lives were lost, and millions of
money expended. when peace is concluded
upon the express conditions that the treaty
should contain an open and frank avowal that
the United States has been wrong in the
causes of the war, by the pledge of her honor
never to repeat the act which led to hostilites.
Wherever J you turn your eye, whether to
your own record, 10 the statute books, to the
history of this country or of Mexico, or to the
diplomatic history of the world, this humlia-
ting and degrading acknowledgment of your
own creation, to the dishonor of our common
country. Well do I remember the determin.
ed and protracted efforts Of the minority to ex-
punge this odious clause from the treaty be-
fore its ratification, and how, on the 4th of
March, 1913, we were voted down by forty
two to eleven. The stain which that clause
fastened upon the history of our country was
not the only objection which | urged to its
retention in the treaty. 1t violated great
principle of public policy in relation to this
continent. 1t pledges the faith Of this Res
public, that our successors shall not do that
which duty to the interests and honor of the
country, in the progress of events, may COM
pei them to do"
Here then, according to Senator Douglass
is distinct avowal that in this late Mexican
war, our country was in the wrong. This
avowal was in treaty negotiated under the
administration of Mr. Polk, and by him sent
to democratic Senate, and by that S nate
40 to | in this very particular, sustained
Here is the accusation. 1t comes from the
embodiment of the Young America branch of
the harmonious democracy. The wings can
very properly stand aside while questions like
this are being discussed.
Mr-Douglass very strongly intimates that
the action of the Senate upon these ques-
tions touching our foreign relationss cacula
ted to embarrass the incoming administration,
and in this he is clearly right, and it would be
little 20 the credit of the sagacity of Gen.
Cass, who has been most forward in it, to as
sumo that he does not act in the matter for
that purpose.
The Senate are likely to place Gen. Pierce
IN some of these questions, about where the
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