The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-25


eoafederacy by contention about the spois of victory
but We more foolish than they about, if not to
dissolve this Unon at least to weaken the sacred bonds
OF ecnon mat bind us together and that have made the
name OF an American citizen honored and respected in
me lenotest Corners OF the EARTH by quarreng about
what we expect irM be the spoils of our victories in
We are now, Mr. Chairman in the midst of a war with
foreisn power. But, what is thousand times more to
be dreaded Than war with any foreign power, the prog
ress of Tins debate has shown that we are war with
ourselves. Our arms are invinclbe, and victory will
perca on our banners when contending with foreign
zoe bul when our arms are turned against ourselves.
perish. w onld to God that my eyes had never beheld
the suicidal spectacle which has been exhibited since the
agtafon OF this question! Would that the danger
Gus Of az parties that founded sectional and gcogrdph
c considerations had never reared its hord front with
IN these walls Who does not imagine that he al
aow hear from the lips Of that sacred form he por
trs.itd Washngton) looking down upon with coun-
tenanc Of heavenly benignity, "frown upon the first
dawhI OF every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of
coan om the rest or 10 cnfeebe the sacred ties which
link together the various parts I" How sad my feel
ings now, when compared with those which animated
my bosom, when little more than year ago entered
rious Union. Then all was Respondent with the bright
ness OF hope The people OF Texas felt that they
turning as from temporary exile, into the bosom of a
con!ederacy whose bonds to be sundered In
asserting TO the overtures of annexation poered to them
by the voice OF the American people, they acuated
by no selfish feelings OF interest but their hearts first
prompted what their judgments afterwards approved.
They imagined that concord and harmony would forever
pervade Union cemented by the blood of yov and
their fathers and yet they have already heard the arng
sounds OF dscord ioebOdng deful consequences III
gard to its perpetuity
However anxious different gentlemen may be for the
paternity of the amendment under consideration. envy
not the fame OF the successful competitor for its meretr
cious honors. Although gentleman from New York,
MIR GROVER at the last session, advised its introduc-
ton another gentleman from OHIO Mr. BRTKERIiorE
PREsToN KING, at this session, attempted, under
OF a personal explanation" to appropriate its Jane'el
thunder yet IT will go down TO posterity the amend
men of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. The evil
proviso" will continue to be its name; but notwh
standing the socude which the honorable gentleman
hbited for his offspring the opening of this discussion
have the least doubt that it will die, 'unwept,
honored, and unsung.
If believed in omens, would think it no favorable
lasthe day set for the of the discussion
of this subect-the usual invocation of Divine Grace
made at that desk by our appointed chaplain was not
another stage OF its existencefrom indications already
given by northern gentlemen, upon this floor and else
where's and because believe there is yet sufficient indie
pendence and regard for the constitution left to its
destruction II will not do to tell u.s. was done by an
honorable gentleman from New York, MR. GRovER,]
@ DID the Of he s
had lately gone from New York, and the two regiments
which had recently gone from Pennsylvania, require
any satisfaction Of this chafacter' No, sir They
marched with alacrty the field of danger thus furnish
ing ebuke to the SANDER that, before the of the
north would be willing to fight for the of their
",
territory they might permanently win from the enemy
They went to bae not for land but to uphold the honor
! OF their country.
! have no doubt Mr. Chairman, that we will acquire
territory result OF this II is necessary to the
vndicaiion of rights that indemnity should be made
us for spoatons on the property of our citizens, perpe
traed long before the commencement OF this war, and
for the expenses incurred by hostilites originating with
Mexico after she had rejected proers OF peaceful
men (and believe she has not the acquisition of
rtory must be the result But should this proposed amend
men be adopted part OF the policy of this country
all hopes of acquiring territory in that quarter gone
| forever The south would never consent under such
state of things to add any territory to what pos
sess The wings, north and SOUTH are opposed to the
acquisition of any territory In proof of this might
fer to their frequent declarations here to bill time
since endeavoed to be introduced by the gentleman from
Georgia. mr. STEPHENs,] and to the following extract
from amendment offered to bill similar to this, by
the honorable senator from Georgia. mr. BERRIEN in
the other end of this Capitol
"That the with Mexico ought to be prosecuted
by this COVE nment, with any view to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of that republic or TO- the acquisition by conquest Of
| ton of her territory"
permitted to Judge from their declarations will go against
the acquisition of territory; and if you adopt the princi
pies of this amendment as the settled policy of the gov
eminent, every Southern representative not utterly
recreant his duty to his constituents will be compelled
to pursue similar course and then there will be but
small number left to advocate the further acquisition of
territory. And thus those democrats who support this
poviso, if successful will eieCtually PROSTATE the ai-
nistraton OF their choices for the country would hardly
sustain any administration that would terminate
without indemnity for the past and security for the
| future
| shall endeavor Mr. Chairman to discuss this ques-
ton with all good temper and good feeling Born at the
north and fostcred by the south, have other feeling
than undivided affection for the whole Union Who
can forget the place OF his nativity Who could prove
fahless to the cherished land of his adoption But it is
my duty to speak out fearlessly the truth. consider
this amendment totally inopporte, and singulary out
OF place. There may be ga time and place" for all
things but this is neither the time the place for agi
ng question that must shake this Union to its centre
Our foreign difficulties ought to be first settled before
domestic The enemy of our country ought to
be met and eilecua,y humbed before stir up internal
strife (if II must come) among ourselves.
But however I-timed may have been the entry of this
banng the political stage, it is than
its features deormed and msshapen. Injustice is mark
ed upon its 'front.' and degradation to the south, dis
union must follow its fatal adoption. cannot be other
wise Whenever the reemen OF the south shall submit
to political Acknowledgement, they will prove themselves
They would no longer be the fit associates of reemen,
and they would only secure the contempt of those who
inflicted the inipg. But ibis they will do
Dearly they love the Union proudly as they rally
der the sarspanged banner to meet their countys Zoe
by by land they would perish in the last ditch be-
fore they would yield one 1.-THE of their constitutional
rights and their blood bought prvileges You may out
by your voices in this hail. but they will still have left
freedoms legacy stout hearts and strong to work
out their political salvation.
! do not make these remarks by way of menace
threat Such attempt is the farhest possible from my
thoughts Thank Cod the people of every portion OF this
influence from fear The northern mind could be reach
ed, not by appeal to their fears, but to their patriotic
feelings, and to those historic events which made, and
humby trust the providence OF God notwithstanding