Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1882-09-23

us Il 1rlenu OF Jne COnquefOr. Inc VIZ
tue of woman was never insulted, nor
her modesty offended by the conduct
or language Of our soldiers. The cour-
tesy and individuality Of the volunteer
was a gentleman at home, and the dis.
cipline and skill of the regular, instinct
lively blended into the gallantry and
humane chivalry of the American sol
der in Mexico, nor in all the circum-
stances of war was the character of the
American soldier dishonored by our ar
mics in Mexico. Applause.
x
A treaty was concluded by the pro-
visional government of Mexico with
the United States and peace was pro-
claimed by President Polk on the 4th
of July, 1913. By the terms of this
treaty, an inconsiderable portion of
Mexican population was transferred to
the United States. This treaty also
secured the acquisition of Texas, and
for compensation for the past, and secu-
rity for the future, New Mexico and
California we're annexed to the United
States. These countries embraced
more than 100000 square miles, and
were at the time of their annexation,
besides few struggling settlements, a
vast wilderness, unexplored and unin-
habited except by roaming savages and
hunters.
President Polk, in his message of
December 9th, 1S4S, said "Within
less than four years the annexation of
Texas to the Union has been consum-
mated; all conflicting titles to the Ore
gon territory, south of 10th degree of
north latitude, have been adjusted, and
New Mexico and California have been
acquired by treaty. The area of the &
several territories, according to a report
carefully prepared by the commissioner
Of the general land Office from the most
authentic information in his possession
contains |, 193,061 square miles, Oh
1853, 359,040 acres; while the area O.
the twenty.nine States and the unor
ganized territories east Of the Rocky
Mountains, contains 1850, 513 square
miles, or 1918, f26,05S acres + =
with the addition of the late acquisi
tons, the United States are now Cir
lS46) estimated to be nearly as large
as the whole Of Europe" doc. No,
|, 3Oth Congress-
Soon after their annexation, however
the value of his acquisition was reveal
ed to the conqueror Rich mines wer,
explored and their wealth was directed
in all the channels of enterprise anC
labor. Their valleys were soon TEEN
ing with harvests; hocks grazed upoI
their mountains, cities sprung up will
manufactures and with commerc,
spreading out among the nations on tn
Pacific; and railroads stretched thoi
lines across the continent and brough
the vast gold productions of the Yves
to nourish and enlarge the multiple,
industries of the East. New path
and highways were opened around tn
world for commerce and the traveller
and vast populations grew up with tn
. varieties of enterprise and labor an
l all the cOnveniences of social life. BIZ
l sides this, more than one billion of TIL
I precious metals have been poured fror
e their mines into channels of industry
extending through all the cores POI
j dences of the world; nor has this bee
done after the tedious toll of ages, NJ
{ by oppressed generations; but befol
our very eyes. Unlike ancient col
querors who found gardens before an
left desolatiOn behind, we conquered
q wilderness, and behold it transforme,
- as if by magic, into an outstretched en-
o pire, with cities and fields and gardel
r and all the arts of civilized life. II
s. wisdom Of the policy of President Pc
d that inspired the annexation of Tex
Is has been verified and sanstioned by Il
n wonderful results that have grown o
of it.
a You men of scars and of honor
20 and your dead comrades, were the chi
Of factors in that war, SO bloody in actio
lie and so fruitful of grand results. Yo
Or achievements are as pearls set in t
Of caSket of history. It's pages a
g. frightened by the gallantrY and glo
st associated with the names of Palo All
e. Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, Bue