Newspapers / Highland Messenger (Asheville, N.C.) / Dec. 9, 1847, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Highland Messenger (Asheville, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
irt i; a c '.cJ v,!jr hss.v- . Ci I. Ziz.':i. li : - - fcat-Vir-ti: i tha p:,ver to c: cut iSac : thc.T, in r :'atl:r: .. ;;; TlcCcr.r. y C;a:c 1.1 t; trf C 'V eft : ' y. -.1 , . r T t -Jil.it c ! hit ,:2 V ..I re; gnr.tl r. -. ? r. - He J w-tr, r pruviJa r;: J t - r-J t T -.'- ?rt trr '.s, to - .i a .y , r n'i to r.-, vk (I t' ; lap. J ---.1 -r: lv. i t'.i i t ) v. ar, . .vii ell ? rr.r.lcJt-C:r.-!i;;:aita t tcr "i cf plcc cr ::,r cr.d d-ll:r-r- ;.:it elects, And if la Avar i a prr I; ilj . grpi. , W 1 a r- ever ca; war, Cu"f;rc: 3 : i.; F t'.s and ici f "1 t!. Tjtnd cv-rs cf tho wr.rl cc iv.;-' Ilea Ci il3 c';::;l: ot cry prcuous Jcclara ns i' t'"2 C23-3. cf i!k ex. time, p ''--'An far what r urpise it" shah I 'j f.:r:1 "r j fcrecutc J, If we 'st-ppr-a C:j 'U1- j net pr- -11!.? CEr.:::.l ; authority attribute J to i:; if it be conic rf.!- d that, n'vir l.nrj 1 "G c: "c j.T.r.:':r.c-; J, .tha President of jhs .United -States may Ci- rcct it tn ih" scccrrpl! nc.t cf any electa ho p'a-cv jthout co-nuking sr. i wUVju: r.ny rr-irl 17 jfh'3 u.ll cf Co;rc;;, .lha Convention will Inyo tr.terly failed i;i giiar. 'din'the natica ogaicst " tho abus?s and ombhion of a slr.lc individual , p.i;her 'Cjrr-'jcr ll.o TrciLjcr.t, n;u ,t line ilia right cf determining upon tho objectl for . which a war &Va!l la pitfcuted. Inhere ' no other. 'alternative. If ihu ." President pnscsit p.rj may prc-ecatc it for objects nainst t' ') tvillcf Congress, where, h the . d. :T . ;en c ,3 1 : t vvcen cur f. 3 givcrnmor.i r.d that cfmy other nation whicb rnay bo ;ovcrnid by say absolute Czar l Km. pcror or Kin? J i ras rav emit. -as it has:ornitted in tho present uar, lo proclaim the objects for wnich it was commenced or hast been einco prosefuted, and in cases dfsuch oA fr.!siu":i ll.'i. President, bcir charged vit!i tho employment anddircciion of the na tional forco, necessarily, left to 'hi -own judgment to decide " upon the objects to tho attofrmcnt of which that force, shall be tppUcd. But whenever Congress shall' think proper to declare,- by.soriie authentic net, for what purposo n war shall bo com. menccd or continued, it is tho dutyjof the President to apply tho national Tore to the attainment tf those purposes. -In the in stance of ths last war with Great Britain, .the act of congress by which tt was .declared, was preceded by a message of President Madison enumerating tho wrong am) injuries of which we complained a gainst Great Britain. That ;mcs age, iherefore, and without tho well known " objects of tho war, which was a war 'pure Iv of. defence, rendered it necessaTv;; thni Congrc33 sliouIJ partipularizo.i;) the act,' tho specific objects for which' it was pro- 'claimed.. The wholo world knew : that it was a war .waged Tor Freo .Trado and Sailors' Rights. . It may bp urcd that lha Presfdcnt and without any express lira'uation as to its exercise; that tho natural and ordinary tcr. minailon of a war U by a treaty' of peace: 1 .l . r .1.1 it ! 1. nnu mcnore, ia.i mo president and ikn " uto must possess the power to decido w hat t (nulnflnni And rnn.litmn eKntt nntnv tn)n' ucti n treaty, tiut it is not mora . truer that tho President and' Senate oossess the treaty. making power, without limitation, v than that Congress possesses tho wa,rma ; kiog power", without restriction. These two pawcrs then ought to be so interpreted as to reconcllo tho onp with the otheJand, in expounding tha constituion,; we cr Ju ta keep constantly in" view,; tho nature; and ' structure of our frco 'govcrtmentj ancJ es. ' pccially the great object of the Convention io taking thu warraaking power out' of the haiids of a single man and placing it in the Safe custody of the representatives of the whole nmtion. lhe dcsjrdblo : reconci na tion b-tui; t!ie two powers is tftcctcd by attrrbuting- , to Congress tho ' right to de- clare what shall bo- the objectsf a war, and to the 5 President the duty f endeavor, ing to obtain thoso objects by tho direction t! the national force and by diplomacy-' I am broaching no new and speculative theory. The Statute bock of the Uriled States is full of excrmnlcs'of orior xleclara lions by Congress of the objects : to be at taincd by iirgfitaiiorfs with Foreign Pm era unJ (he archives of the Executive De partment furnish abundant evidence of thff pccotnjxishrncnt of those' objects,, or., the altcn:pt to accompli -.h llicia, by sub5cquent nftgoliatidi 'Prior.. to the, declaration of the last'war against Great' Britain, in all the restrictive treasures whiqh Congress "nJoptcdogainst tho lvo great bvH'gcranl Powers of EuropO, clauses were inserted In tho several acts establishing them, tender ing, to both or either of the beligqrants, the ubolition of those restriction j if they vvould repeal their hostile Berlin and Milan de" creci and Orders in Council,' oper-ting . against ouf commerce and navigation, r-. ; . And thcaa acts of Congresi wer6 invar ably comnuinicated,' through tho Execi tire, by diplornitic notes, ', Ja Franco ' and Great Britain, as ' tho basU upin ,twhidh it was proposcol ti lestore fiLuJy V IntcfCQOrsf? rith them. So, after tho tcr j miaation of t!ie wai-, various acts Con gress were passed from tirno to ll i.o o. r in Z .to Foreijn Powph tl.i ! Kr.einb cf Tcci)rocity,.in tho commcrco and navigation uf ilu United States with them. . Got cf tl. so acts havo sprung a class, cnl a largo class uf treaties (f.vjr or five of which'tver? : : negotiated, whilst f was in t!te department - of tStnle.) commonly called reciprocity trca. ' tics corrcluJcd under all the Presidents, from Mr. M.i!'.::o:a to Mr. V. Bmn, incli And with regudtothe commercial-treaties, neg'tiatoJ'wiih tho smctioa cf -prior . ncU of C-.rcssi where they coniaincd ci- - trc.t- : C 'arJcd as . ' -ir.a' 4 :: :a v. , power rr.ay : t r; 1' j p tr t j l . ' to C:r ir 1. :h ! Cw.a- '.r. President c".': cr.3, ii,h c:-.: j c I;rccp rcs3'l,--j l!,o ri-'i't. ' ":'.-r at 1' 0 t re J.-.iij-.or during tl.-T prc.cuib:? c! y war, to 'deciio ca ci '-fits cr. 1 r-r. t .. IT 1 :. . . . . t;3 rroj. V,hich It Ctht tl I 1 i'Str--!. t ...la, liiis thod-ty of Cv;-;-3,ly some cM.bjrste and aut!.:r.:b czi y declare for wi.it 01 xuted j 4W .. Wtft c.i tit VJ-J Iv gcr prosecute J , I suppose tt.3 President v. t i r..t I.ei.l! ite to n ,u!it Lis cixduct by t!io pronounced will cf Con-rrcs, and to cn !y t!.o force and the diplomatic power of h nation to execute that will. ' But j if tlu icc!dcr.t should doclir.o or refde to doso,and, in contempt cf tho' supreme au; 'jnty ot waging tho Longrc',3, s.iou. i.pers-jvcre m war,1 for other obec.ts than thoso rroclaimed bv Conrcs.' then It would bo the imperative duty cf that body to r indict itscuthotity by the most strin gent and clluctual, and appropriate meas ures. And if, oa the contraryV thc';cnc. my should refuse to conclude at rcaty, 'con taining stipulations securing' the object, designated by Congress, it would be ' tho duty of the whole government to prosecute the war, with all -the national " energy, un tihioso objects were attained by a treaty of peace. ' There ' can bo no insuperable ditT.iuljy in Congress making such an ou thdriiative declaration. : Let it resolve, simply, that tho war shall, or shall not, be a war of conqutst; and, if a war of5con. quest, what H to bo conquered. - Should a resolution pass, disclaiming the design of conquest, peace would follow-in less than sixty days,' if tho President would'conform tohis coniiru'.ional dutyl Here, fellow ; citizens;'!'. might pause, having indicated a mode by which, the na lion, thl rough its accredited and legitimate representatives in Congress, can announce for what purposes and objects this war shall be no'1 longer' prosecuted, and c,u thus let the whole;; people of the -United States know for what end their blood is to bo further shed, and their treasure further expended, instead of tho knowl:,'; ; t-,f it being locked ip and: concealed in. "khe bo somufono man. We should r.jjhsger perceive tho objects of tho -war varjing, from lima to tlrpia; according to tie chan ging opinions, of . tho Chitf M.Tistrato charged with iis prcaccution, Bji I d.i not : ihmk u right to stop here. Ij is lh ,wiv. y . '"v upy, tit 1iii.1t l llllill V IT asscmb'ics, and; bf every private manr however humble, to. cxpr. , ti c(-ii:ion inregard .to the pulrposci for which the war should ;be. continued; aud such an ex prcssion will receive ju?t so much consid eration aad consequence cj it ij entitled to, and no more. j , Shall this war be proscculcd fer the pur. pose cf conquering a nd annexing Mexico, in all its buundless extent, to tha United States? " ,; 1 ' I will nol attribute i ta tl P nt mc unuca oiaies any .eucn oc-si .1 IT I fl.... . I I confess I havo been shocked a id alarmed by "manifestations of at in various quarters Of nil the dangers and rr,fortur.-s which could befal-this nation I should regard that of its becoming a warlike and con. qucring power the most direful and futal. IJistory tens the mournful t;.!jcf conquer ins nations ond-conou.rors. I hi th"p . cr . . 1 1 .most celebrated conquroro, in the civili zed! worlJ, wcrjs AlexanJjr, Csar and Nopolcon. Tho first, after overrunning a large portion' of Aflik a;. 1 ti-hirand lasncn'ing that thtre v , . . to subdue',, met a"pTe.i .turo death. I His lieutenants . qj warred with each olhr: cs :r; urld and i;:Lh rr !'J and to ihe spoiU . t! -p.raS. J, rcui'ijjd of hU Victorif s, and fi:.ilJy I Cscsar after' conquering U . J with his triumphant legion to II ed theillubicon, won tho L;:;lc salia, trampled upon t.io V.l.t cf P -3,. Cf : ir. i.i country, and expired by t!. j j -.trl A hind $.1 Brutus.- But Uornc cca- - 1 t j ! ; fjcj. War ckd conquest had ecerv:.:d c; I cor ruptedjtho masses,- The fj ii it aftri1.-; 11 crty was' extinguished, at:. I a h:-v lr;e cf Emper'ors succeeded, sor- ; ' i the most execrable monsters t!. d c.r,cx isted in human form.- Ar. I ;! -.: i ..tct raordinary man, 'pcrlmps, in a;T history, after scVjugajirg; all contir.:: '.-.1 ;: - occupying almost, ail its L ;.: ly thriatcnlr,' according to M. p'roud; Albion iLself and dtkirg 1! of .various mcrbera of hi j ,(-.': rrownf, torn from the ij :;-.' ( Te;! arclw, lived to behind Lis ., '' iiself iatbe poses.-ija ' r.f i.'.i 1 :. was mndo himself a wrctc!.iv J c :. ; fir rem ved from countiy, .' fierd?j breathed his last p ' in!upi r.l Jo rcks cf i;;. K Alps 3n'f'rlo Rhine Kad I - 1 . : T L r. r rr. ;n. t!;o natural cjunuancs ci cL3 thco cou'd not I; trtr.iu'5 t which she was tr.!t. Da you bclievo ' th :t M icediii, or Greece,' cf Francs11, were t;r: fitted, i i rr ? ir: s-. i avy : -."IT! r r 1 ciptain-j. Tl du, c?.d tho se;f.' I ' T: .: : 1!. it- I2 a- dreadful creation n.jr Ur cc;r;- i cr.ieved ,wi:t s jcrif..:.;-; t'f t cf co : .f an ,cp.j cia'I . U I c. y ;:-. in cl! tha I j -1 mny ccsiry to occupy probability , i years. tra:-rr- ' y i- t . rcn'.-i . . ' r t country : ..j. Vi3 I t 1 1 t "-' o l" - to :,cr.z wlalis toilad:rj v h it Hi gvorn it llz :r.:5 Prcir:.', ly. v: it t ... O v . character, a: tier.i, to kctp : :oo, ui;I) a p ir?rr!!'.!jr. i: taf:'.y cf cu? h a great cc;: ulitlja cf nt a (tats of- cr. in?:,1 as :.: tlan r.trv :ant rrJIiUry Su'Jctionr Za it La anr.c:;; J to t!.o U, .tcs! Docs any ccnilJjra'.a q.an silljthat two s'-'th ir-.". with territories cf 'nrarly wklPncpulations so izzov :.co it poj. V3cc r'ri. fnrrnt in raee. in Jir-'us ro.' in fcli jton ana in laws, could bs blcrJcJ toguh:r in ono harmonious mass, anJ 'hapj ily governed by One common authority! Murmurs, CU- contciit, insurrections, rcui.ioa, . wou 0 inevitably cn-jue, "'-until the. -incompati'Jj parts would 'bo broen asUnder, and p . I- hbly, in the frightful strule; our rr; t gloriou3 Union itself would be c .....j or dissolved.; We ought not so f jr(- .1 t!.; warning voice of-all history, v;.icli tcaolf cs tho difficulty of comlini ' ' r.r. I cr.sU idating together, conqUJri '. c.r. izr. ednations., After th?h,r J' t 5ht hun dred years, during wl.lch ll.o' "lots h-Ii their conquest ot rt'.:i, tho indomitable courage, perseverance, tnJ olitir.acy cf the Spanish race f.r."l!y trbr.-l.cd, 4ind expelled tho African inva Izn -from the Peninsula : And, even w'ithia our own time, tho al owcr. of Nppolcon when at Us Lfiicit bright, was- incompc tenf to 'r A'.; j, and , sjLj;gato tho proud Cast'.;;!-1-:. And. here, n our own ncig' borh- J, Lower Canada, which. near one hundred -jcars-ago, aftcr.tho. conclusion of tho 'v jcar3 war, was ceded by France to Great Britain, remains a foreign hand in tho miditof the British province; for cign in feclings and attachmeDis, and for eign in laws, language and religion, And what hps lie ca tho fact with .poor, gallant, g ...cr..u3,',andf oppressed' Ireland! -Centuries have" passed since 4 the' overbearing Saxon overrun and subjugated the Emer aid Isle. uivcrs of Irish blood have flow rd, during the long and arduous contest. Insurrection and rebellion have been the ojrdcr of the day; and yet, yp to. this time, Ir'cjand rcmaingalien i feeling,- affection,' and sympathy, toward tho power which has so long borne her down. ' Every IrUh. jni hates, with a moral hatred, his Saxon oppressor. a Although, there a ro great ter ritorial differences between the condition of England and Ireland-a compared to that of the United States and Mexico, there are somo points of 'striking; resemblance between them. Both the Irish rand -the Mexicans are probably of the sarno Celtic race. Both the English and . the Ameri cans are of the same Sax'oft- origin, . The Catholic religion predominates in both the former, tho Protestant 1 among both the latter. Ryfigionhas been tho fruitful cause of dissatisfaction and discontent between 1 the Irish and English nations. . Is .-there no reason to opprehend that it .would be come so between tho people of the United States aad those of Mexao,,'."if ih2y were united together? .'.W.y.iould wo, seek to interfere Mjilh themlflf VjaOde of wor ship Of a common L-We believe that they are wrong, cspe4ially in the ex. elusive character of their faith, and that wo are righb They think that thoy are right and wo wrong. VVhat other rule can therd" be then to leave ; the" - follovvers of each religion to their town solemn convic tions of conscientious duty towards Gd! Who, but the great Arbiter of the Universe can judge in such ,a question? ; For 1 my own part, I sincerely, believe and Hope that those who belong o all the departments of tho great Church of Christ, if, in truth and purity they. conform to the dvctrines which they profess, will ultimately secure an a bode in those regions of biss which all aim finallyo 'reach' 1 think that there is no potentate in Europe, . whatever his religion may be, more enlightened, or at thi3 moment so interesting, as tho liberal hoad of thePuparSce-v ' , Do we want for- our owo happiness or greatnesi lha addition of Mexico lo the existing Union of ourStates? . If our pop ulation was too denso Tor .our territory, and there was a difficulty in obtaining hot- ir-iy mo means 01 sustenance, mere might to some excuse? for. aa attempt, to cr I irgo crjdominio.is. BuVwq have no tucli opologv.-. Ve have already, in our :! jrious country, a Vast acd almdst bound- lis? territory. Beginning at the North, in j frozen cg!ar,3 tf the Brijiih Provinces, it fctrctches thousands of miles : alon ,tbe coasts of the" Atlantic Ocean and the -Mexican Gulf, until it almost reaches the Tro. I; cxicn' lo tho PaciHo Ocean, Ljrd.".-3 cn' thoo rrtal inkitd'seas, the L'ikcs, i. hich separate 34 from the pus - iors of Great Britain, and it embraces tl "p; .t fishsr of-rivers, from it3 upper r. t' sources to the Balize, and tho still I r .ouri, from, ''i'-s mouth to the -':r " 3 oftlio Rocky Muuntains. It com pr:!itr..!?lho greatc if variety cf the richest i j.'j, captlo cf aim jit ail tho productions t'.' canh: except tea and-'cc!T.c and the rrljcs or.J it include every variety-ol c!:rr.ato which the heart could wish or de- sire, Vc havo more than ten thousand r ::t tfacrcsuf waste and unsettled land.-, cn vjgh fort.. 2 -sujsialence often or twenty limbs o,ur' prerenjt popjlauon. (Jj"ht wo not to tc saifsaea; wnn sucn a country? Ought we cot to bo profoundly thankLltathe Giver of all rood for sj a vast and tnunt'fjl ttnd? i 11 . . j-. - . ft Sock, by war acl conquest, indulging in i a not tne ncini or ingraxiiuuo 10 mm to I 1 - r' ' -if il.vr; ti It to tho Unl . cht toU tary sway. ( bo: ry cvj'J r.;.-J t j r p los r f our whichf 1 taxc3 o:' L : reC"til5!io:l cs -y tl I. :-naa l "a j. Salt n. , t :i t -rJ.r ; to c- z:i ar.J u itlut'rcp w'o aro t la ' - I : 1, - :t. cf.ll tO( ' -V c.-.r- i T'iy tl.3 c!:v:r. ihen, 1 ,- i ) ; j.rti: ; '.' ia cur councils sr. c ;:.'.;) j'.iarc ia cur legislation and -yr. r..:. Bt, SMpposo s.ho Would not J "'tarlr'y c' cso 'representatives to the 1 J.'...ICujr.!, ii our soldiery tti fbU bv tin electors to the. ballot -bo.tv and by forco lo compel them at tho point of. the bayonet, lo deposit their halloU? And h jv arc tho cino millions of Mexican pod. p!o to be. represented in tho Congress ofjhe United States of America and tho Con gress of the United Stales of the Republic cf Mexico combined? Is ciery Mexican, without regard to color 'caste, per tapi turn,' to exercise tho elective franchise? How . is tho quota of Representation v be tween tho two Republics, to bo lxed? yhena is- the seal jf common government to bo tstabiUhed? . And who can foresee or foretell," if Mexico, : volunta rily or : by force, we re 'to share in the common gov ernment, Avhal would be the consequences to he( or to us? Unprepared, as 1 1 fear her population yet i, for die practical en joyment of self goyernmeot, and of hab its, customs, language, laws and, religion, so totally different from ourown, we should present the revolting tpectacle of a confused, distracted,- and. motley govern ment. . We should ha va a Mexican Party, a PacLf.c Ocean. Partyj an Atlantic Parly , ,in addition id the other, parties, which ex isl, or with which wo arp threatened, each striving to execute its own particular views and purposes, and reproaching tho others with thwarting and disappointing them. The Mexican representation in Congress; would probably form a separate, and im penetrable corps, always ready to- ihrow . t . .i r .- t . 1 nscii inio me Bcaio or any omer parry, 10 advance and: promote Mexican .interests. Such a state of thing could not long en dure. . .Those, whom God and neographv have pronounced should4ive asuuder, could never bo permanently and harmoniously united together." Of tho possessions which appertain to man, in his collective or individual condi- lion, none should bo preserved arAl cher ished; with more Sedulous and unremitting care than that' of an unsullied character. It is impossible to estimate it too highly, in society, when otlachrd lo an individual; norcpn it be exaggerated or too greatly' magnified in a nation. Those who lose or a're indiflorcnt -to it become just objects f icorn and contempt. . Of all tho'abornina. bio transactions which sully the pages of history none exceed in enormity that, of tho dijmernbcrrjient and partion of Poland, by, the. three great continental porrs Russia, Austria and Prussia.' Age3 may pass -away, and centuries roll'. around, but as long 08human records endure, all mankind will unite io execrating the rapa cious and detestable deed. ' That was ac complished by overwhelming- force, -and the unfortunate existence of fatal dissen sions and divisions in the bosom of Poland Let us avoid affixing to our name and na. tionat character a sirhilar, if not worSe, stigma, I a m afraid that we do not now stand well in tbe opinion orother parts of Christendom. : Repudiation has 1 brought upon us much reproach. All the nafions. I apprehend, look upon us ip tho prosecu- iron or .mepreaeut war, as being actuated bya spirit.of rapacity and inordinate do sire for icrriiorial! aggrandizement. Let us not orfeit altogether -iheir good opin ions. Let us commind their applausq by a noble. exercise of forbearance and justice; in tne elevated station which we hofd. we can safely afford to practice tho (7drik'f virtues of moderation and magnanimity.? The long series of glorious f triumph?, .A chieved by our gallant commanders and their brave armies, unattended by ajsinle reverse, justify us, without, the Ieasi. dan ger of tarnishing tho national honor, isdis. interestedly holding oat the olivo branch of peace We do not want the mines, the mc-untaihsy the morasses and the sterile lan'ds of Mexico. To her tho loss of thefn woold be humiliating, and bo a perpetual source of regret and mortification: Tw us thny might prove a fatal acquisition, producing dissension, I division! oossiblv disunion. Let, therefore, the integrity of ino naiionai existence and national territo ryol Mexico remain undisturbed. ,For one, I desire to see no part of her Icrrito rU In.n r.-m t. . U . . n . j . 0 war. (oomo of our people have placed their hearts f upon the acquisition f the Ciy ofiSan Franci?co IT. P.rr -r 1 ' tnuruia. , - i o us, asi . a great maritime potfer, it might prove! to bi of auyimagc herea'icr in respect labour corr. mercial an1 navigating interests. To Mexico, which can never bo a great mar itime power, it can never be of much ad vantage. , 1 . , If we cn obtain U by fair purchase with a just equivalent, 1 should bo happy to see it mn tor...?...,! r'.: ' - .-...t . ... ' . "m"1" wnenever trio war ceases aiexico ourht m hn lnG coti duo our cilizens, perhaps an , : if 1 1 ' " i a . .'..ry .1 t I -.rl r. ,( 4 ; ' r ' : !, t'.-.ll a.o . -t ary indemnity for the ! I t' 1 :i? lftl.i pulllslieJ do-c t . ' " ntot'j !.t.-5 r-'fTti .'.ier ' J "'" ! 1 1 " ir "i. ! ; tr , "rJ I l.'.u 1. t ?lcii c. r- ! J - 1, tha llxccu 1 cry d:r;;an J cf indrrr- - ( fV 3 v. :.r.' An1 t! a (ft' "t 1 . j, . .t'-1 proJjcel -; v t i r " i-'i.'pan a s:3 i . : ' f t! a Mrq cf mostly : , 11 !".c::i t! n " ? ucces -and the 1 (. 1 1 1 C- I'Tvew Mexico, which Mex l r"?. V a. that wo arc now i - if t t i - r tha conquest cf all Mex- i::.r3 ir.ti.t.d i:t sjma cuirters, for that narrow str;p, and for the barren prov Ir.co cf Uqy Mexico, with its few rr.bc ra I1? r.ir.cs . We boeht ajl the proviscc of Louisiana for fifteen millions of dollars, and it Ut in my rrinionj worth moro than all Mexico lcj:;hr. -We bought Flo rjida at five mil lions cf d:llars, and a tjard bargain it was, since, L'3siJos that, sum, we givo up the boundary vi-tho Rio Bravo, to which I think-wo were entitled, as ihelwestern lim net tne rfovinco ot LouisiaHia,- and were rcitrlotcd to that cf the Sabine. And we are now , if not seeking the conquest of all Mexico, to continue this war ; indefinitely for the- inconsiderable objects to which 1 have iu'st referred.- . But it will bo repeated, are we to have no indemnity for ihs expenses of the war? Mexico is Utterly unable to make any pe cuniary indemnity, jf the justfeo of tho war on our part entitled us to demand it. Her country has been laid ; waste, , her cities burned or occupied by our troops, her means so exhausted that sho is unable to pay. her own armies. And every day's prosecution of the war, whilst it would augment tho amount of our indemnity, would lessen the abihiy.ol Mexico to pay ii.; j We have seenr however, that there is another form in which we and to demand indemnity. T It is tp .be territorial indem- nit)!v 1 hope, for reasons already slated, that, tho firebrand will not be brought into our country. , . , Among tne resolutions, wnicn it is my intention to present for jouf consideration nt tho conclusion of this addresj, one pro poses, in your behalf and mine, to disa. avow, in ibe most positive., manner, any drsire, on our part, to acquire any foreign retritory whatever for the purpose of in troducing slavery into It. I do not know that any citizen of ihe.Uniled"Statcs enter tains such a wish. ' But such a motive has often been imputed to 'iheTdate States, and I therefore think it necessary to notice it on this , occasion; My opinions on he subject of slavery' are well known. They have tho merit, if it be ono, of coosisten- cy", ; Oniformitjr, and long duration. haye ever rrgardeu slarvery as a great evil, a wrong, for, the present, I fesr, an irremediable wrong tp its unfortunate vic tims. I should rejoice, if not a single slave, breathed the arr. or as within the limits of our country. 1 But here they ore to be dealt with as well as we can, with a due consideration of all circumstances af fecting tho security, safety and happiness of ooth races, livery btate has tho su prcmc, uncontrolled and exclusive power to decide for itself whetlier slavery shall cease. or continue within its'limits, without any exterior intervention from any q'iar tcr. J'-, - . . - . 'In States, where the slaves outnumber the whites',- as. is the case, with several the blacks could not bo emancipated and invested with all the richts of freemen wiinoui wecoming ine governing race in -.i . . . i lUeso Statra-Coifishins :and conflicts between -he two raciesVould be inevita ble, and aftor shocking scenes of rapine and carnge, the ex tinction or expulsion of trie DiacNis would certainly take D ace In theStatef Kentucky,; near fifty tears ago, I thought the proportion of slaves, in i.uiupai isou wiiu ine wuuea, was so incon sjderable trmt we might safelv adoot system of gradual emancipation that would ultimaiely eradicate this" evil in our State. Thit system was totally different from the immediate abolition-of slavery for which the party of the Abolitionists of the present day contend. ; Whether they haare intcded or not, it j my calm and deliberate belief that ;lhey have done incalculable mlschif even to-tho very cause which they espous ed, to say nothing of the discord which has been produced between different parts of the union.' . .: v ceo ruing,.1 to . tne system, we attempted, near the close of the last ceh ...i.. .. . t . i-. i -. iury, an slaves in ocing were to remain such, but', all who might - be born subse quent to a specified day, were to become free at tho age of wenty-ejghV, nd during their service were to bo' taught to read, write and cypher. Thusj instead, of being thrown .upon the community, ignorant and unprepared, as would be the case by im. mediate : emancipation they would have entered upon the possession of .their free--dom, capable, in some degree, of njoy-, ing it. ' After1' a hard struggle tho systsm was defeated, and ! regret it extremely, as", if it had been then adopted, our State would be now nearly, rid-f that reproach. ; Since. Ihat'epocli, a scheme of unmixed benevolence has sprung up which, if it had exUted at that time, would haye obvfated, , one . of the greatest objections hich was made to gradual- emancipation whichws tho continuance of the eman cipaifd slayct (o abide among us. That scheme- is- ,iho Arnerican Colonization Society. About iwemy-eight years ago, a fcw. . iftdividualsj myself among them, met together ins-Jcity of Washington, and laid the foundation of that Society. -It his gono on amidst extraordinary dif. ficutiies and trials, susuining itself almost entijely, by Spontaneous and voluntary coniriouiions, from individual benevolence, with scarcely any aid from Government. :ta t' i succ i ; v 1. a v i 1. ar inrr- t 1V3". ' -.5 t rr--'N ici ci.J avcc' 1 : t;.:.:!. i : dominion!, and ors. Tl i X I If :-,J t.u::-;i.j i8l- ar-- j,.'.e::j a f. rerrrscr.' iiivo i tl 7 rc ! a tr ri ti I - r Ir - r am not very supcrstitic". S...I t I do sclcr. tclicve that t . 'cc the sniles of Previdtnce. and. if ws r, arc attempt ccnitratinr? the vril. fc m t.L Ho conceals his all wiso dirn?ninn r'l morlal ejts", thatlle desi-ns that, t Af(; shall ba tho refd-e and tho fT- t .V. escendants of 'its sons and dau-l.L torn and drased from their nail i, by lawless violeitce. - ! It is a philanthropic and consolin . flection, that the moral and hvsieur dition of tho African race in tK- Uoitej States, even in a state of slareryj hrflf ueuer man u would nave been if le, ancestors haci never been Krntift r their native land!, and if it should - U Tj,. decree ofthe Great Ruler of the- Univem that their- descendants should be mad9 instruments in His hands In the cstibliih. ment or civilization throughout Africa, if regreisj on occouni ot tne original wronr will be greatly mitigated. It may be argijed that, in admlttinj thl injustice of slayej-y, I admit he necessity ol an instantancofis reparation of thati. justice. Unforflcatciy, however it is rim ways safe, r r'tiicabla-or Dossibl. i Ue great r jver . i of States and pull: afiairsofnati ' j remedv mlliclton cf pvious injustice. In iU inception cf it," we may oppose and fit. nounce it, by our! most strenuous exertloni, but, after its consummation', there isoficb no otner alternative left us but to deolot its perpetration, and to acquiesce as the only alternative, 'in its existence, as a le evil than the frightful consequences which -might ensue from the vain endeavor to repair U, blsvy is one of those unfort unate instances Tho evil of it wniia. fitcled troon osi bv the narent roiin!rf Great Britain ogaiAsi all the entreaties tod remonstrances of the colonies . And bert it is amongst aad ainmst us," and we rmm dispose of it as 'best we can under allthi circumstances wjiich surround us. It con. tinued by the importation of slaves fronj, Africa, in spite ol colonial resistance, for a' period of moie than a century and a half, and it may require an e qual or longer lapse of lime before our country is entirely rid of. the evil, j And irt the meantime, moderation-,--' prudenco'and discretion mons ourselves, and the -blessings 'sf Providence -. may be all necessary 4o ic comptish our ultimate deliverance from h. Examples of sfmihr infliction of irrrpar.. able national eil and , injustice rnight U multiplied to fid indefiniio esrsnt. Tha case of the annexation'of Texas to the U. States is a rccl nt and an obvioun rme which, if it wereiwrorg, it cannot now h repaired. Texas is now an integral pirt of our Union, wiih its own voluntary cod- senf. , Many of i v opposed the anneii. tipn with honest zoo I and most. earnest eiertions. But j who would now think of pernetratirtg thelolly of casting Ttxajout of the conftdf rajy and throwing her back upon her own jbdr pr ndence, or into il arms of Mexicol Who would how ctkt divorce her from this Union? TheCretb and Cherokee Indians were, by the 'moit exceptionablo means driven fromiM country, and transported beyend toe Mis sissippi rifer. iTlJeir , lands have beca fairly purchased anil occupied by inhabi tants of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and .Tennesscej! jWho1 would 'row cos ceive the flagrant injustice of fxpcUj those inhabitants and restoring the India country to the (jherokees and Crcckitsn der color of repairing original injustice. During' the warjpf our revolution, rnillioti of "paper moner "were issued by cur cestors, as tKd only currency' with which they could ach eve our liberties cd .fo dependence. 'jliousands and hundreds of thousands of families were (Stripped their homes antf their all : and brought to ruin, by giving! credit and confidence to that epurious currency Stera ncccssi- has pre-vented the reparation ot .lkat jre national injustice?. , ' . ;Bul I forbearjjl will noilonger trespwi upon your patince, or further ta J own voice,' impaired, by a speech of von than three hourslV duration, whiehjw11' siooal dut) required me to. make ob'7 Tow rh-ivn nam If 1 havn bop n at fill SI j - t - - -j- i cessfuljn the ex!r)osition of the vifews8. opinions which lj entertain, I have ahowo-" : 1st, That the ipresenl war was trooj nboul by the i inexation3 of Texa1 th0; subsequent Ifarder of the :Pre without lhe prev)bus consent and author of Congress, i ' 2d, That the 'President, being ow lighterrcd and uninstrucjed by arty pw declara"tiqn of Congress, as lo ihe obefr for which it.oupht to be prosecuted, in conduct of it is rjeccssa rily,' left to hiii sense of what' lhe 'national interests honor may require." ' 3d, That the whole war-roaking pote; of ihe nation, to motives causes, a obiects. i confided tv the Constitutw " the discretion and' judgment .of J 4th, That it is,', therefore, the rig' Congress, at the'sjommencemer.ior dang the progress of any war, 'to d"ec5rfj what objects and 'purposes the wa' to bo waged and proscclcd. ;' - t .5th, That it is tho right tad dutJ Congress to announce to the natwo longer continued; that it is.the Presideent, in the exercise fii . cial functions to conform to and ,'csrrj this declared will of Congress, bj crcise, if necessaryi of all the t'gfy. with which he is clothcdjnd tbst if 1 the il"-. aHairs-cf thtir Republic, z u compare i.dvact3tcouSj with the tnc- - - -4 unil will t
Highland Messenger (Asheville, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 9, 1847, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75