Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-15
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Inv of all praise and imitation. Indeed,
was one of the attributes OF the great ana soo'
that they were able to exturt praise ana euios,
even from their bitlerest enemies. ana wa
encouraging to the present administrator 70 re
feet upon all that, because If il was lair 10 Juos
of the fulure by The past, so would II Dc heicai'
with it. as it had been with Administrations "hicl
had preceded il, and those very measures now s.
Ioudfy denounced would be held up To the appro
baton of future generations. The present 40
ministration was destined 10 stand in The history
OF the couairy aseminenlly brilliant ana success
full. Like some tall rock in the ocean, Iount
which The blows spend themselves N sain' INK
administration raised lis head far ABOVE inc 'ui'
bulent waters Of party strife. Asalns' IL M
proud wave of federalism dashed ana roaleu
but the administration deied them, saieiy pun
on the immovable 70 k of patriotism ara demo
cratic princip,e. Blu, thew had been told oil Ihe
unfortunate brave who had died in defence OF lheil
country during this war and OF the widows AM
orphans of those who fell in defence ol lne''
country, ard they had been asked what pIice 'he}
sci on The heads of The fallen. They had hao pa
lhelic appeals and moving speeches IN oenail "
their unfortunate widows and orphans. but nc
asked any man with an American heart IN DIS
bosom, where was the widow and orphan VINO
would derive comfort from reading Inc speeches o.
the opposition on that foor2 Would they md
consolation in the midst OF their sorrows IN The
Iraises OF their enemies and their cause! Did
they imagine that The vehement denunciaion> Of
The war as unjust, and The highly wrought docia.
marory appeals in favor Of "poor Mexico
would drop like healing balm on The bleeding
wounds Of The bereaved and mourniogi An, no
There was not mother who had Lost valiant
son-lhere was mol wife who had lost gallant
husband that could bear 10 read one 81 such
speeches as they had heard from The oppo'
sition upon that floor Where was there
snch a mother who would eYclaim 10 sur.
viving soDs-"your brother persisted in an
unhoy and unjust cause. You must remain
At home; you will draw no sword in such a
cause?" No. But would mol every American
mother be ready 10 eIclaim, go, avense your
brothers death! Go forth against the cruel muir.
derers, who, in The streets Of Monterey, put 10
The sword every wounded American soldier they
could find-go iorh against those barbaTians
who have murdered your countrymrn in cold
blood-go and defend your country's honor"
Would not that be The language OF every Ameri'
can mothsI7 There could be no doubt ii; and
so help him Heaven! so far as his own fame anC
future reputation were concerned, he would in.
fnitely rather be The poorest volunteer, whose
bones moudered on the banks of the Rio Bravo
with no stone 10 mark his 2raye-no requiem but
the wild birds shrek and the bowling winds
than the mishiest Wing orator who Numbered
forth his denunciaiions of The wal! Yes, SO far
as his own future reputation was concerned, be
would rather slumber there, for he knew that he
should not wholly die-that his memory would
be held sacred and dear in The hearts OF his coun.
lrymen. The names of the gallant dead should
live Their grateful country freely gave
"The tribute of her just applause,
To those who die In such a cause -
No matter what jewel might hereafter sparkle in
the eScucheon oil The country, The memory ol
those men would be cherished as The most brilliant
gems in the diadem OF The nations honor. Whal
poor consolation was il 10 The widows aud or.
phans OF such men, TO be told that they had yield.
ed up their lives in an unjust cause! But The
gentleman would stop this war Howl Re-
treat and bring back The troops. What would be
The resut7 Would Mexico hesitate 10 follow I
Did not every one see that aggression would fol-
low on the part OF Mexico? The proposal was
diIecl and pressing invitation 10 Mexican inva-
sion. II was in The power oil Mexico alone 10
stop the war. The United States held The olive
branch in one hand, whilst The drawn sword was
in The other. Mexico had her choice II was
not for the United States 10 terminate the war
know, said The honorable gentleman in conclu-
sion-I know that my remarks have been desul-
tory. But in the brief time allotted 10 each speak
er, il is difficult 10 discuss any subject melhodi-
cally. There is one subject, sir, to which had
intended not 10 alude-and that is the unfortunate
subject of slavery, which had been SO unwisely
and so unwarrauiably introduced. | do mol now
pretend 10 discuss it, | would rather do So
when | felt more calm and less excited than
al this moment. Now, have but a word or two
10 say, and that is, TO beseech gentlemen-lo i'm
plore them 10 pause. When the crisis comes
will be ready. We OF The south love this glorious
Union. love il. Bur there may be evils less ca
silly borne than its dissolution. woulj-I could
not, sir love my own sister if she were eternally
me with some unhappy misfortune lha,
| could not help. | would not love my wiie-il
| had one IlaughlerJ il, like Mrs. Candle, she
was eternaliy occurring me about that which con.
cerned hsr not. Lausblerl These northern Mrs
Caudles will never lei US resi-. Renewed laugh
teri | repeal, Mr.. Chair nan, if were clernally
taunled with that which was no fault OF mine
il there were some sad deformity with which ma
ture had cursed me, and she uho should cherish
and love me were eternaly haunting me with il,
could not love her. Think you, ,hen that il this
thing 60 on, our affection for The whole Union
should lasll There is another topic on which had
intended to anyIn word. The wild clamor against
n standing army had never any effect with me
II once startled the American people, but il could
moi starte them now. The American people are
prepa ed 10 defend their country, and they leave
to Congress to say what is The best means OF de-
fence. | shall cheerfully vote for the bill, and
hope il may be carried.