The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-10
Mr.. web..er on .he Thr<e Mln,on s,,l.


forth BY Mr. Webster against the administration at the
last session of Congress, and the very slim perform
,oce on his part OF the great undertakings including an
mpeachment of the President which il seemed to pro-
mise What Mr.. Webster has fit to do in the mat
ter is contained in speech of about columns on the
three million bill, delivered in the Senate the LIST in
stan and published in the nteligencer OF yesterday
We had intended to reprint this document in full; but
upon further examination think that few extracts
will suffice for our readers. -.
AT the outset OF his remarks, Mr.. Webster appears to
have been troubled by the consciousness that no facts
which have yet been brought to light in reference TO the
war; afford any justification color of plausiblity to
his very extraordinary declaration made three months
before that the course OF the President in that matter was
deserving of impeachment Probably by way Of rescung
that declaration from part OF the public odium and
contempt which have settled upon it, he fit to
affect the my serous, and he throws out for the consid
Grafton and consolation of those who may share his EN-
barrassment the following insinuation hint, inu-
endo which would be portentous it not somewhat
laughable He says ~
sThe true origin of the with Mexico and the
ves purposes for which originally commenced,
however ably discussed already subjects not yet
them am greatly deceived, Mr., President, fire shall NOT
ere long see fats coming the light aud found
roncidng concmrng, chich shall fla the Erecntire
gp,rnnea more definite disacf purpose intended
Be- effected nth the coopsration Of Others IA bringing on hos
fis Nth MeIieo fhdn has as yet been clearly deUeoped
f.ly UNDERSTOOD 3
The statesman who uses such language as this at a
time like the present, most grave and serious
responsibility. Very clearly he puts himself on trial be-
fore the people He show for what he says,
or he must stand convicted before the people, and before
the government OF his country when struggling in for
egn war-whch nsinuaton he has not the hardhood to
shape into distinct and specific charge. No man is
strong enough to sustain himself in this nation in such
an attitude and least of all, Mr. Webster If this be all
that he has say by way of making good his threat of
Impeachment" it had been far better for him. better for
his craftsmanship, and better for his integrity to have
been dumb from the first Almost the whole session has
been spent discussing the purpose of the Executive gov
eminent in our hosttes with Mexico. and "a the facts
andcircumsances connected with that purpose In various
official documents beginning with the very commence
men Of the war, and running through both sessions OF
Congress- the President laid this whole matter fully before
the people. Congress called atvarous times for all the
instructions and all the correspondence which had any
bearing upon the subject These calls were promptly
answered. and the tables of both houses were piled up
with all the communications which had been inter-
changed between the government and its civil, and mill
tary, and naval functonares Upon all this mass OF
official intelligence sed during three months debate,
Mr. Webster. with Impeachment in his thoughts, has
incubated for whole quarter Of year, and To- he has
Matched from it, what'-A mighty hint, Mr.. Webster
puts all the airs which Hamlet cautioned his friends
avoid. With very ominous look he tells us: "WeIl,
wall lrrntr Al k, al. Ia
welist to speakm His "mpeachment finds its most lame
and mpotent conclusion in solemn shaking OF the head
like that famous head shake of Lord Bprlegh. which
Sheridan has turned to such farcca purpose embody
ing all the balanced probabilities OF conspiracy and all the
mysterious chances of campaign For the credit of Mr.
Websters judgment and craftsmanship, had really
hoped that he would bring his " Impeachment" at least
to less ridiculous and less derogatory to his
character than this.
Almost all the rest of Mr.. Websters two columns is
taken up with labored protest against the acquisition
from Mexico of any territorial indemnity. He would
have us believe that when the Three Million Bill came
up in the Senate, there absolutely nothing between
us and utter national ruin, the amendment to the
bill offered by Mr. Berrien. OF that amendment he
says:
Now, sir it has appeared from the beginning that
the proposition contained in the amendment which
United some days by friend the honorable member
from Georgia is the true, and the only policy for
pursue.
This amendment has been rejected and now come to
the point, who has rejected III BY whose has this
amendment this evening, boon LOST Sir it has been
lost by the OF the honorable member from New York
and his northern and eastern friends It has been voted
down by the northern democracy If this northern de-
mocracy had supported this amendment, it would have
prevailed and should then have had territory
all and Of course no new slave terroy new States
ALL and of course slave Slaves This certain and
ndispuabe. III the Senate had said what that resolution
proposes the danger would have been But gem
leinen would not vote for IT, To man they voted against
IT. Every member of the Senate belonging The party the
northern States hoepe ,rarny they may hare declared Them
pts against ne,c are States yet refused TO rofe against all
territorial acquisition; measure proposed and offered
e us perfect security against slave States. They
Tor the sake of this heyae willing the risk OF these
new States being slave States and all the convul-
sons which the discussion of that question
may hereafter produce. Sir, if there be wisdom pru-
Oh consistency sound policy, comprehensive fore
sght IN all this, cannot see it,"
AS 10 the precise of ruin which is involved in
e acquisition OF any new territory, Mr.. Webster thinks
best not to be very explicit His speech, as il contn
oes keeps up the mystery OF its outset We gather only
ron 1t that the acquisition of territory, will bring up the
question OF Its apporonmen between the different Sec
uons and systems of our Union. This, he thinks must
snake our government to its CENTRE On this ground,
nc concludes that our country ought to declare itself in
capable OF accepting territorial indemnity from Mexico,
ana conine itself to the acquisition OF ga boundary and
port or two upon the Pacific" This, he thinks would
be safe
bu It is not easy TO see how such course would
AVOID the danger which Mr.. Webster 30 magnifes and
10 Tears He himself tells us, and all men agree with
n that the question OF slavery new possessions
r