Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-01-23

But cannot fail speak plainly IN regard TO the uncons
tupna act Of and the disastrous consequences
which have thus far attended it. Who orges the glowing
terms in which the addition Of that lone American
constellation was hefaded How much Of prosperity and of
peace Of protection 10 our labor, and Of defence 10
land was augured from it! Who reflect its
seleucs as already developed who think OF the deep
wound which, in the judgment Of many has inflicted
our constitution o the attentions and heahunings which
has produced among different members of the Uunn of
the eEn bookings Tor Of disunon which has excited of
the has cost and the precious lives il has wasted
IN the war now ia progress OF The poison il has in
nlnyways mingled with the previously hethul
l onal career without being reminded another lone
STAR VIII ch 'iei! from heaven burning lamp,
and Tell upon the third part OF the rivers, and upon
fountains OF waters, and the Of the called
wood, and the third part of the became NORWOOD,
and many died of the because they bitter"
The more immediate cause Of the the Executive
mode OF consummatlng this of annexation. With
out entering at all into The question of the ghu boundaries
o. Texas this certan that Congress the very resolution
OF annexation recognised the fact OF disputed boundary and
declared that it should be settled by negotiation The Pre
dent interpreted the resoluou and proceeded to protle
negotiation. give him all due credit for that But when
ne found that resort likely to fail instead of coming 10 Con
gress for advice and instructions, he ought TO
lave done James Madison would have done conformity
with those views of his which have already cited Mr. Polk
determined, his responsibility, to TO the sword,
and marched his armies to the verge OF Texan pre-
tensions. And deny that this unwarranabe
of the Executive gave immediate and origin the
war with Mexico.
But, without another word its origin, turn
alteration of is progress and prosecution aud would that
all, of all parties and will add Of both countries instead
ConIentng ourselves with mutual cmnaons TO who began
the war; could heartily into the far nobe competition,
VITO should be the FIRST and who do the most bringing it
10 cose.
For what end IS the vigorous prosecution Of this
proposed for what purpose called upon 10
she Executive these ten regiments of regular troops
will do the President the justice take his
these questions quole two paragraphs from his late annual
message which admit OF no msnterpretaton
" The has been waged with view 10 conquest ::
but having been commenced by Neyico il has been carried
into the enemys country and viii be vigorously prosecuted
there, with view obtain honorable peace thereby
seedFe ample indemnity for the expenses OF the well
10 muc-inured citizens who hold large pecunay de-
nands against Mexico. '-.Hessage, p. -.
. Among just OF complaint against Mexico,
arising OF her refusal for peace we'll before
since the war so ujuy eommeneed on her part the
binary expenditures which have been involved
Justice to our own people will make proper that Mexico
should be held responsible for these expenditures B 10
The object Of the is thus described to be an hoora-
BILE peace" 60 heartily for that ready to vote any
supplies which really contribute such result. But
comes the Presidents definition this honorable prace
and thereby 10 ample indemnity for the expenss
the war; well as to much-njnred citizens who hod
large pecunary clai ms against Mexico"
This, then, the authentic of the Objects with
which this TO be prosecuted settle the houna
rles OF Texas not defend any thing which Ivy the largest
construction be called country to
qusr peace IN the simple OF that phrase but 10
cure indemnity tor the claims Of citizens, and for the
pensss of the war
Now, s, such war, prosecuted in this spirit and iot
these ends, | utterly opposed mantaln III the ir-l
place, that Is the which Congress utende
should he prosecuted or To which it has vet given
sanction. know not how far party discipline may go
brn-lng up majoies of the branches such
policy but hazard nothing in saying that had been dis
cl sod at the outset wouI have with sanction IL
any quarter. Why, sir, does any for a beIev
that Mexico had RETAINED from all hostile opposl th
annexation Of Texas, and had given the assent Of
dosged silence to extending jurisdiction that
nbry, we should have heard IF these claims the
ground Of The President would have ventucd hs
Character upon such susgeson and Congress would hav
scorned ii had it been made TO tn m.
Bot maintain, the second place, that such policy
unworthy Of the nnl and Of the age in which 1--we l.
this day, is this country in which war; for the pur
pose of recovering money from nation unable pay it,
10 be tolerated do not underrae the importance of
lng 10 citizens just indemnity for injuries
upon them any quarter and wherever abt,
10 make that indemnity, ought to I've exacted sometimes
perhaps, 10 the extent of force And where
end where is secured the Government ought to pay
TO hose to whom belonga Mr. Polk has refused d,
IN the OF the French spoaons prior 1909. But
war Tor extotng payment from poor debtor Why, sir,
the day has by when endure the practice OF
individuals who unable to their obligations The
imprisonment of poor debtors rapidly disappearing from the
refined codes Of civilized society. The abolition of that system
among the highest tumphs Of modern civilization. But
This policy Of the Administration would carry bach
the bablrous provisions of the laws of The Twelve Tables
1i ancient Rome which, according cons
allowed the creditors dsnember their Debtors and distribute
among themselves the severed limbs and muaed trunks
Yes, Mr.. Chairman, the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of Mexico for
iebs which she pay, the humane and christian
policy proposed by the Executive. Money, we AZ
t7ow. cannot tie wrung from her in any large Wha
tte she might have had 10 pay IN Our much injured
en we are daily exhausting by compelling her 10 employ
In defending her soil. Why, sir this attempt ex-
ort ndemnies from Mexico 10y force Of reminds one
an oil story Of ancient Greece. Themsocles seems be-
seged the island Of Andos and called Upon the inhabitants
y pay tribute He told them that the Stnenns had twu
great gos to whom they ouGh; 10 yield immediate submis
on One Of these gods Persuasion and the other Col
DuiSto. But the Andnans answered that they also ha
two gods that OF them POUtty aud the other Inn
pra,oaJhtg and that they could not and would pav
hn any tbata money They added that his power could
never surPass their poIceriessness.
N0w this TO he about the state of things between
and Mexico, far at least money concerned do
know hut that might regard her having least three
these heather deites, and add the Feversi FontO--t
Poverty and Iupracicabiltv.
But she has territory and this the Of indemnity that
we desire Ih indeed, IL h quite evident heen
the great object Of the whole Execuge movement Noboy
read the documents connected with this war and espe
cIliy those Transmitted answer the call Of my ho
norahe friend from Kentucky, (Mr DAVIS without seeing
that ON first 10 last, before the aud since, Mexican
territory has been the great object of the Administration II
hardly much that, had there been Calurna
there would have been war. As far hack June "a
lsi5 find the purpose of securing this pos The
result OF possible war, plainly disclosed IN the nfdcnla
correspondence Of The Navy Department. After the had
Ist