Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-16

0c-The following eloquent passage IS from
speech delivered in the Senate of the United
States during the last session of Congress, by
Mr.. Hannegan from Indiana. We Go not
know when we have read a more truly eio-
quent passage -
GAS TO the causes of this war, shall not
enter into them; its justice or It's nlustce' IN
my opinion, have but little to DO WIN us pros
ecution. when the aim on all sides is to pros
ecute it for the sake OF speedy termination
One thing. however, may in justice remark,
that. unless refuted, the assignment of causes
made bv the President in his opening message
must secure to us the verdict of posterity But,
be this as it may, one thing is certain, we are
engaged in war with an obstinate enemy, and
during its continuance | feel bound by the
highest sense of honor to contribute, by every
means In my power, to the success of my
country's arms, and the humiliation and over
throw of the enemy. I stop not to ask the
approval Of Casuis:s, when my heart bids me
to know only my own country in the contest;
and feryently trust that God may forever
crown her eagle banner with victory, when
ever and wherever her sons may unfurl it in
battle, beneath the broad vault of heaven.
Never may its glorious folds, dimmed and dis
colored with the blood of its soldiers, trail in
the dust. l should deplore an unjust or an
aggressive war as much as any man | would
leave no proper means untried for an accom-
notation; to secure peace, would yield ev-
rything but honor; but whilst war lasted
would strain every sinew, exert every nerve
of the nation to impress the enemy and the
world with the terror of our arms. Sir, the
hunters-up of conscience cases may approve it
or mott am we'll assured that this course it
is my duty to adopt and pursue. l would not,
whilst the gloomy cloud of war hung over the
land, say to the enemy Go on! You are
right-we are wrong! The God of justice is
on your side, and his avenging hand will yet
deliver to your tolls our soldiers bound hand
and foot, 80 that you may flesh your swords
in their bosomsr Sir, would not say to our
own brave soldiers March slow-trail your
ams-you are engaged in an unjust and unho-
ly war ? No would not paralyse their strong
arms and valiant hearts in the hour of battle
| would not rob them of the hope of heaven
[ would not shrek into the ear of the dying
soldier that for him no bright-eyed angels
waited above the smoke the batte-that he
must never hope for paradisep No! but
would say to our soldiers Advance your
standard! Wave it high in air Let its flash
ing folds make music when the battle is over
let the blaze of victory surround it, or let your
lifeless bodies be piledin pyramids on the CORY
feld Onward in this spirit, or dream no more
, of the proud wife's kiss, or the mothers bless,
ing and her prayer For | must confess
, do not comprehend the forecast which propo
ses the withdrawal of our armies, or the pru
dence which declares In advance that we mus
attach no Mexican territory to the Union.-]
assail no senator's patriotism-I speak only
to what [ conceive to be an error of policy
l when say that, in my view, the adoption O.
T any such proposition amounts, in appearance
at least, to submission; and that whilst on the
one hand they are eminently calculated It
t encourage the arrogance of Mexico, upon the
S other they will find no response in the bosom
, of the United States. Our people will indig
= nantly refuse their sanction to any such poll
, cy The slumbering fires of the nation will
n be reused at the bare thought of humbing thu
= proud standard of the United States before bar
barian Mexico Nor, sir, can participate il
that sympathy which have heard invoked il
behalf of Mexico as a sister republic. In TIT
first place, the wrongs she has done us, AM
our citizens resident within her borders, show
n no very sisterly affection on her part; and il
e the next | must confess my want of sympathy
with any people where anarchy rules in tn,
name of liberty. Her history is libel upol
republican government. When human sym
= pathy shall follow INSTRUMENTATION, misrule
and bloodshed, then, and not till then, will
n be properly invoked for Mexico