this
confers no superiority of rights. Among ourselves, the most ignorant,
the most inferior, either in physical or mental faculties, is recognized
as having equal rights, and he has an equal vote with any one, however
superior to him in all those respects. This is founded on the immutable
principle that no one man is born with the right of governing another
man. He may, indeed, acquire a moral influence over others, and no other
is legitimate. The same principle will apply to nations. However
superior the Anglo-American race may be to that of Mexico, this gives
the Americans no right to infringe upon the rights of the inferior race.
The people of the United States may rightfully, and will, if they use
the proper means, exercise a most beneficial moral influence over the
Mexicans, and other less enlightened nations of America. Beyond this
they have no right to go.

The allegation that the subjugation of Mexico would be the means of
enlightening the Mexicans, of improving their social state, and of
increasing their happiness, is but the shallow attempt to disguise
unbounded cupidity and ambition. Truth never was or can be propagated by
fire, and sword, or by any other than purely moral means. By these, and
by these alone, the Christian religion was propagated, and enabled, in
less than three hundred years, to conquer idolatry. During the whole of
that period, Christianity was tainted by no other blood than that of its
martyrs.

The duties of the people of the United States towards other nations are
obvious. Never losing sight of the divine precept, "Do to others as you
would be done by," they have only to consult their own conscience. For
our benevolent Creator has implanted in the hearts of men the moral
sense of right and wrong, and that sympathy for other men, the
evidences of which are of daily occurrence.

It seems unnecessary to add anything respecting that false glory which,
from habit and the general tenor of our early education, we are taught
to admire. The task has already been repeatedly performed, in a far more
able and impressive manner, than anything I could say on the subject. It
is sufficient to say that, at this time, neither the dignity or honor of
the nation demand a further sacrifice of invaluable lives, or even of
money. The very reverse is the case. The true honor and dignity of the
nation are inseparable from justice. Pride and vanity alone demand the
sacrifice. Though so dearly purchased, the