The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-09


upon the European occupants of the country The In
dams are actually encroachng upon the frontier OF Next
not but that the Spanards brave and capable OF
defending themselves with arms, but the jealousy OF the
central government has dsarmed them, and they at
the mercy OF the savage understand that not less than
three or four thousand captves of New Mexico the
hands OF the Camanches alone. Well then, gain a
most desirable acquisition and one of the most striking
commentators rs, that we take not from Mexico, what
deptlyes her OF any resources, either OF MEANS
worthy OF being named, whilst give prosperity,
which 1t never had since the day OF the revolution OF
Mexico to the present time The consideration is,
that The line should be SUCH If established, would be
the foundation OF a permanent peace between and
Mexico; Now | hold, that in this respect it has re-
markable advantages In the nature OF things, con-
not Keep our growing population from passing into I'M
inhabited country where The power OF the is moi
sufficient to keep them out They will 60 in You may
pass all the laws you choose. You may heap up penalty
upon penalty, but our pioneers will rush in the country,
unless the party IN possession are capable OF keeping them
Experience proves that all the force this government
was not capable OF keeping ntrlders out of the In
dian country We had to abandon the effort, and from
time TO time remedy the evil By purchasing the lands from
the Indians. II we make peace with Mexico and no
provision be made for this natural tendency of grow
ing population, IN lew years will be involved in
another war. Another war would be most undesirable
any with Mexico is undesirable And finally
Mr. President for the purpose of coercion, il possesses
also sufficient advantages Ii gives ample means to
be secured in what we have in possession OF the
line, II Mexico herself should not be disposed to agree
While would recommend this defensive line, Or
some other, if better can be found, would be very far
from holding IT absolutely would recommend it
to be held the means OF negotiation. We ought TO say
TO Mexico that we hold subject to negotiation; that If
she is ready to negotiate we reay and not only to
negotiate and settle, but TO settle Justly, literally, and
fairly Ito establish line which shall preserve peace
both sides possible And any excess on our part we
willing TO meet II as we ought, by the necessary
payment 70 Mexico But would go still further
would hold all the ports of Mexico have in posses
sion, which could be held without too great sacrifice OF
money and men. | would hold them subject TO the
conditions the territory which propose 10 be covered
a a
which should fall upon all, and supply the means for
holding possession OF the country have consulted with
the proper authority that point and find that, Tor
that purpose, S23oo00o duties would suffice That could
be collected with advantage, not only to but TO the
whole civilized world, who ought 10 be admitted freely
and readily Il small rate OF duty into Mexico, Sir,
these measures combined, my opinion, would give US
the means of enforcing settlement at distant day
Now, think have shown that may certainly nam
tain this line, ami bring the TO successful conclu
sion by maintaining itthat would be at cost scarce
ly OF men or money, not above ordinary peace
tabllshmenhat 1t involves hazard or loss OF repu
tahon to us as people-and, may add, would lay the
Foundations | trust when would to final
settlement il we act in the spirit in which we ought to
act OF permanent peace between US and Mexico.
datey large portion Of the war expenses
will be cut off The whole of the volunteers might
be dismissed in the of few months soon the
position is occupied ltwoud be saving OF fifteen or
twenty millions during The war; further taxes would not
be required our credit would be Immediately restored
The measure 1 which many Of US on tins side have 50
much at heart would be rescuedthe measure OF free
trade-which in this dark period OF It's experence-l
mean not 50 much by our legislation by that OF Great
Britain-has shown itself to be the most fruitful source
OF opuence and prosperity that can possibly be devised
But ii may be said that Mexico will hold out think
not-l think not What would she have to hold
out? She would see that we had undertaken a task
which we could perorm--to which our strength quite
adequate-whch could go through with without haz-
ard and without difficulty She would see that she was
nately persisted, instead OF having general settlement
and compensation, she might lose the whole for nothing
But in addition, Mr. President, the whole feeling OF the
people OF Mexlco will be turned L is now, IN then
mind, war OF races ana religion They excited to
the highest point Every is braced; every arm is
strengthened The resolution of the whole country is
united IN stern resistance 10 far we have IN
formation If this defensive attitude be assumed, will
show that our object is not to subugate the country
natural currents of feeling will take their The
people will become more interested in the result They
will become regardful of their internal affairs
than of Their external affairs In short time a
state OF things would be brought about which
would, think, terminate in happy peace be-
tween the two countries, and that of the most perma
Suppose that Mexico still holds out with obstinacy
What have WEI We have peace without the expense
OF war We have our population pouring in, ultimately
enabling us TO dispense with the small military estab
shment necessary in the first instance. Sir it would 60
further ltwould put us once again on terrrq frna Il
would enable us to see light 1t would enable US to see
an mpenerabe veil. Mr. President, have stated
the reasons why am in favor OF taking defensive po-
sllon. nave trust, successfully shown that we can
bring the war to certain termination, without great
pense OF men and money-without hazard OF any de-
scription whatever. 1t remains to be shown what
are the grounds OF my opposition to the continuance OF
offensive and, II not greatly mistaken, the
gumens against 1t are as strong imagination almost
can conceive. am opposed to it, in word, Mr.
President, Tor the very first that in favor OF
the other there is certainty that will bring the
to termination. And in the next place, if should bring
Ito termination the most favorable circumstan
cess 1t would be with vast expense OF men and money
and with no nconslderable hazard of disastrous
quences and loss of national reputation In discussing
this branch OF the subject the first thing to be done 10
keep definitely mind what is the real and true OBJ
lect OF carrying offensive war; for until that is
desooi we shall not be able to to any decisive
cusion. And here may premise that its object is not
conquest-the acquisition of additional territoryor thai
because we have already, as have shown, ample terri
tory our hands, and more than sufficient to effect all
the objects of the IT, then, it is for neither
or other OF these Objects ask why shall offensive ope
ratons be carried on There is but given to
that 1t is to OBTAIN peace or to use the language most
Conquer peace.l have expressed it differently That is
the proposionoc conquer peace How peace to be OBJ
taned peace TO be conquered II only be by
y, War may be made by one nation Peace is always
made by two; The object then is to get a treaty
What kind of treaty. treaty that will suit Mex
want treaty to suit us. And what is that Why,
SIR treaty that shall dictate compel Mexico to
sign, and which shall secure to the ends for which
this war was declared. And what these ends
have already enumerated them. The establishment OF
the Del Norte as the boundary and ample acquisition for
indemnity The object OF the whole then, is this
to compel Mexico to acknowledge that to be which
we already hold in possession, and which we can hold
despite OF her with almost sacrifice That is If, twist
and turn you please neither more nor less can be
/ ma nj n That ax.l. obi 1f L.. 49,