Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-29
Remarks Of Mr. Webster on the Three
Million Bill,
n Senate Of he Uaited States, March 1.

IN ccHutc " tHe tHHcd otutcs, HWeh Il.
The Senate having under consideration the Three
Million Bill. and the question having been put on
the engrossment Of the Bill for its third reading
Mr. Webster said II my health had been better.
and more time had remained to US. il was my pur-
pose address the Senate the bill before H. and
also on several topics with which il is connected
This purpose. under existing circumstances, must
necessarily forego The true origin of the war
with Mexico, and the motives and purposes for
which il was originally commenced, however ably
discussed already, are subjects not yet exhausted.
l have been particularly desirous OF examining
them. am greatly deceived, Mr. President, If we
shall not ere long see facts coming TO the light. and
circumstances found coincidng and concurripg,
which shall fix on the Executive Government
more definite and distinct purpose, intended 10 be
effected with the cooperation OF others, in bringing
on hosiilities with Mexico, than has as yet been
clearly developed or fully understood.
AT present, should hardly have risen but to lay
before the Senate the resolutions of The House Of
Representatives Of Mass, adopted Oh Thursday
last. We have great deal Of commentary and
criticism on Stale Resolutions brought here
Those Of Michigan particularly have been very
sharply and narrowly looked into, 10 see whether
they really mean what they seem 10 mean These
resolutions Of Massachusetts, hope are sufficiently
distinct and decided. They admit OF neither doubt
nor cayil, even If doubt or cayil were permissible
in such case. What the Legislature Of Massa-
cbusetis thinks. il has said, and said plainly and d
rec,ly. MIR President, have not, before any ui-
bunal, tried my ingenuity at what the lawyers call
special demurrer. for many years; and never
tried il here in the Senate In the business Of leg
islalion, aud especially liz considering State reso.
luiions and the proceedings Of public assemblies,
1t Is our duty OF course 10 understand every thing
according TO the common meaning Of the words
used. OF all occasions, these are The last ia which
one should stick in the bark or seek for loop holes
or means Of escape; or, in the language of an en-
inent judge of former times, hitch and hang on
pins and particles We must take the substance
fairly and is, and not hesitate about forms and
phrases. When public bodies address us, whether
we comply with their wishes or not we are at least
bound TO understand them as they mean 10 be I'M
derstood 10 seek for no subterfuges, and 10 rely
on no far-fetched aud subtle difficulties or excep-
lions All such attempts will be justly regarded as
many coniFiyances resorted 10 to get rid Of the
responsibility of meeting the public voice directly
and maniully, and looking our constituents boldly
| 10 the face. aaau -
| Sir, we are in the midst Of war not wsged al
home in defence of our SOIL but waged thousand
miles off, and in the heart Of the territories of anoh
er Government. OF that war no one yet sees The
end, and no one counts the cost. II is not denied
that this is prosecuted for the acquisition
| Of territory; at least IL any deny il, others admit
ii, and all know il to be true. -a'3 r.
Under these circumstances and plainly seeing THU
purpose 10 exist, seven eight Of the free States
comprising some Of the largest, have demonstrated
against the prosecution Of the war for such pur
pose, in language suited 10 express their meaning
! These circumstances come here with the distinc
and precise object Of dissuadng from the fnrthe
! prosecution Of the war for the acquisition Of terri
tory by conquest Before territory is actually OBJ
tanned, and its future character fixed, they beseeci
us to give up an object so full Of danger. Oni
and ALL they protest against the extension Of slay,
territory one and all they regard il as the solemn
duty Of the representatives Of the free States Z.
take security in advance that no more slave State
i shall be added TO the Union. They demand Of u
this pledge. this assurance, before the purchase
money is paid or the bargain concluded. And yet
Mr. President, ingenuity has been taxed to IFS ut
most criticisms both deep and shallow, and hyper
l criticisms, quite incomprehensible, have all beer