The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-26

ing Tor all that men and nations hold dear this side
the grave The memories OF long ases, filled with the he
roc deeds OF their ancestors, reused them the peser
walton of their and their oounry's independence.
Their cities carried BY assault their villages smoking in
ruins, the midnight filled with the cries of their
happy daughters driven forth naked and pershng from
the affairs where they had vowed themselves To God
and sanchy their consecrated costers resoundng with
the reyelries OF brutal sodiery, all combined, would
have reused 10 madness and 10 flame the lowest human
heart thai beat responsive TO the words home and
country. What parallel is there in all this with the
proposition for offensive measures our part against
Mexico! In what single point does the resemblance ex-
Isl In marching upon the city OF Mexico and possess
ing ourselves of her stronghods, what is the object
which they well know we entertain Reparation for
wrongs which she has inflicted on u.s. and which repara
ZION desire her TO make by the conclusion OF treaty
OF peace and limits honorable TO her il be to
We ask at her hands, have often asked before
in kind language, the payment OF long withheld indem-
mites and the establishment OF fixed boundary. These
the OF peace As TO the acquisition OF territory
included in the terms, ask Jointly by way of pur
chase and indemnity satisfaction for the present war,
and is only to be taken from her vacant and unoccu
pied territory lying along borders, essential US,
useless TO her, and which Is already subdued by our
arms in the chances OF which she had long pro-
voked and which she was to begin last than
Do we propose the subjugation and conquest
of Mexico! DO not believe there is one sane and in
tegent man in the United States, who would accept her.
if she should make the voluntary offer. Do we propose
to overtnrn her government and give her rulers and
laws of selection What maniac conceived the
thought Is our purpose to change the form OF her re-
The constitution OF our country secures to the voares
of that religion and all Others the fullest enjoyment
Of their worship; churches and the chapels OF the
all over this broad republic. And what Amer
lean officer dare place his foot again upon
his native soil, who fails TO punish with qn-
command, who offers violence TO the notlensive
and unressting. BQt my friend from Ohio said
the other day, that Mexico would feel indignant at
the thought OF suenderng 10 us any part OF her terrific
ry as we would should England attempt to from
US Massachusetts,, with the consecraed soil OF Bunkers
Hill Sir, cannot admit the force OF the comparison nor
presume will the people OF Massachusetts recognise it
very readily On the side teeming industrious and
enlightened population, the very home of science, and
art learning and the muses. and covered every step with
sanctfed resolections of heoc suffering and maryrdom
in the of liberty the other "a wilderness unn-
habited save by bands OF rowing savages The fields OF
Mexican revolutionary glory lie not in the wilderness.
She has Bunkers Hill, Lexington in California and
New Mexico. II she had, might conceive the feeling
which my friend has pictured should then listen with
aching heart to her appeal if humbed before US, and
pointing to them her treasures she should ask us, if
we intended TO despo her OF the fields where her indie
pendence won and the graves where noudered the
bones OF her heroes first stricken in fight Bnt this is
not the and in asking her to convey to portion
OF her unoccupied territory, asking more than
what our good nature induced us TO do last summer
when without any equivalent at ALL we surrendered to
England two-thirds three fourths OF territory
Oregon and that too, with the decided appreciation OF
those who now think it very wrong to take any land
from Mexico.
AS to the causes OF this war, shall not enter into
Them its justice or its injustice in my opinion have
but little, to do with its prosecution, when the
aim all sides is to prosecute il for the sake OF
speedy termination One thing, however, MAY in JUS
remark that unless efuted, the assignment OF
made by the President in his opening message, must Sc
to the verdict OF poserity But be this may
one thing is certain are engaged in with an OBJ
snate enemy, and during its continuance feel bound
by the highest sense OF duty to contribute by every
means my power, to the success OF my counrys arms
and the humiliation and overflow OF the enemy stop
not to ask the approval OF casuists when my heart bids
me to know only my own country in the contest; and
ri
banner with victory, whenever and wherever her sons
may unfur it in battle, beneath the broad vault of ea
Never its glorious folds, dimmed and Disco
lored with the blood OF its soldiers trail in the dust
should depore unjust aggressive much
as any man would leave no proper means untried for
an accommodation to peace would yield every
thing but honor but whilst lasted would strain
every snew exert every nerve of the nation to impress
the enemy and the world with the terror of arms.
Sir the huntes-up OF conscience may approve
not-l well assured that this it is my duty to
adopt and pursue. | would not, whilst the gloomy
cloud of war hung over the land, say to the enemy
go on (! You are rlght-we wrong! The God of
Justice is your side, and His avengng hand will yet
deliver your tolls soldiers bound hand and foot
that you may flesh your swords in their bosoms Sir,
Fayould not say to own brave soldiers, ''March
slowly-tral your arms-you are engaged In an unjust
and unholy war !" No. l would not paralyze their
strong and valiant hearts in the hour of battle !!
would not rob them of the hope of heaven-l would
shrek into the OF the dying soldier that for him
no bright eyed angels waited above the smoke of the
would say to our soldiers, advance your standard
Waive it high in air Let its flashing folds make music
when the battle over, let the blaze of victory surround
it, let your lfeess bodies be piled in pyramids the
CORY field Onward in this spirit, dream no more of
the proud wifes kiss, the mothers blessing and her
prayer For, must confess, do not comprehend the
forecast which proposes the withdrawal OF our armies, or
the prudence which declares in advance that must at
tach no Mexican territory to the Union assa no sen.
aors motives-l question no senator's PATRIOTISM
speak only to what conceive to be OF policy,
when say that, in my vew the adoption OF any such
proposition amounts in appearance at least. to sub
mission and that, whilst on the one hand, they are
emneny calculated encourage the arrogance OF Mex
leo, upon the other they will find response in the
bosom of the United States. Our people will Indignantly
refuse their sanction to any such policy The slumber
of humbng the proud standard of the United States be-
fore barbarian Mexico. Nor sir, can participate in the
sympathy which have heard invoked in behalf of Mex
leo sister republic In the first place, the wrongs she
has done and citizens resident within her borders
show very sistey affection on her part; and in the
pie where anarchy rules in the name Of liberty Her his
oryis libel upon republican government. When hn.
sympathy shall follow INSTRUMENTATION, misrule, and
blools;ed, then, but not till then, will ii be properly
voked for Mexico am constrained reluctantly, before
closing, TO turn to FEATURE which unhappy has been
cerely do wish that ii could have been excluded. Come
in what shape il may, we always find the question OF
slavery productive of vexation without the slightest
sultng benefit Whilst entertain the most sincere re-
spec Tor the opinions OF many OF my ellow-cizens on
this subject founded, know them to be, upon religion
and conscience have never ceased to regard their APP
pearance here and instructed and in this
instance more msdected than Why, sir, endeavor
10 kindle flame either sle about this matter now
Will it not be time enough to make law for the terri
tory, and to prescribe its municipal regulations
when we possess. ~ Are. we not possibly slbecting