Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-07
Speech of MIR. Baker of Illinois.


The long and acrimonious debate in the House
Of Representatives, upon referring the subject
contained in the Presidents Message to the diff
ferent committees was brought to close on
Monday. Mr.. Baker of Illinois, who is Just from
the seat of war, made the last speech upon the
occasion, sketch of which is given in the New
York Express, as follows -
Mr.. Baker Of ILLINOIS, who enjoys the honors of
Colonelcy in one of the Illinois regiments, spoke
for an hour with great earnestness in defence of
more men and means for the vigorous prosecu-
ton of the war; He meant, he said, to take no
part in the controversy which had been going on
in the House, as TO the origin of the war, or the
faults of those who had prosecuted it.
The army in Mexico needed more vigorous aid
than it had received. More men were needed
and more money wanted. These aids should be
rendered Immediately, at once, now. The pla-
ces which had been occupied it was necessary to
garrison, and it would take at least 5000 men for
Saltlllo and Monterey alone. After all the ne
cessary points taken should be garrisoned, there
would not be more than 1900 men left to carry
on the war;
| AS for Mexico, she was more able to make
war now, than when the war commenced. She
had become nationazed and more devoted, and
there had been examples of real devotion, on the
part of the people, since the war had been car
red on in the enemy'S country. Many, indeed,
j
though the army had marched for 300 miles into
the interior, and obtained possession of every
point, we had really done but little towards con-
auering peace with the enemy. The President
had recently called out nine or ten regiments of
additional volunteers, but they were not yet in
service, and were very far fiom being there
When all were mustered they would add but a.
bout seven thousand men to the troops already
in Mckee, Six months ago. We sent into the
E,lI s,fcp IN n n
ed their regiments with high hopes, eager expec-
tations, and an ardent love OF country. Two
thousand men, at least, who had never seen the
enemy, repose upon tie banks ofthe Rio Crane
So sleep tho brave, who sink to rest,
W it'll all their countrys honors hlest"
The country, from Mexico, had proved most sieE'
", and the army hai suffered most severey
Young men of stout arms and warm hearts ' i,u
been struck down by death, or emacated'y us
ease, and hundreds could be seen returmg rom
the source of all this suffering, with s'cknesS
upon them that will hurry them to her graves
The exposure to ANEW cllmnS, the "aul u
V,Saler, and chatgesor food, bad done all ms
The SS,-+aa men had made all these sacrifices Tor
fame ard GlorS>a and for a love OF coansry' IL
was cold. 6looded cra,s.ig IN Congress 10 desire
that this should b. DsSsa s'l'o ~. go ~
other season like the pas2 ~, -.
menced, all were of the OF 2 - y,
be a short war, and all dosirer2 & ~
have a speedy end BY prong =
ternined execution of the neces y T,d
the war could be closed before anofn sr 81
He, therefore, appealed TO Congress. ="
now, as a volunteer officer, but as 'eP,ese
tive of the people. He had core 10 'ne
more charged with military miss'on ihan w,
a civil message but he coaid not AVOID speeNluS
lio his place of the gallant army he haa le''' anu
Of Of ,Ge sufierings they had endured we very
certainly to have peace at some t'me' ana ne wus
sure i woald come all the sooner from Slsote,
ous prosccuuca Of the war. Ii, indeed, we we0