Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-03-18

and Of institutions, which exist between us and Mexi
co, and he deprecates with equal zeal and injustice
the union OF the Mexican people aud ours. | fully
agree, SIR In all that. Ii would be deplorable
anal gamation. No such evil will happen to us ia
our day. We do not want the people Of Mexico
either citizens or subjects All we want is por-
ton OF territory which they nomiialIs hold, generally
uniihabited where inhabited at all; sparsely So
and with a population which would soon rccede, OF
identify itself with ours. The Senator says, king
Of Mexico, what you to do with the territory %
| answer nothing at all, permanent acquisition
"Will you," says the Senator incorporate it into
your Unon!" Certainly not. We shall hold it as
a means OF procuring an honorable peace. And such
peace 1t may be made TO procure for u.s.
Some of the remarks Of the honorable Senator
regretted to hear. Those which doubts upon the
power Of this country 10 prosecute this war to an
honorable conclusion-such conclusion, indeed, as
will alone be satisfactory to the American people.
am not going, Mr.. President, to subject these views
to any severity OF lnvestgaton-I should do it with
reluctance in any case, and could not do 1t in this
My unfeigned respect for the distinguished Senator
would prohibit it. While 1 claim for myself and
yield to others the most unlimited rangeof discussion
and while do not call in question tie truth of the
sentiment uttered during the last war, that public
man has right to speak to his country, though he
may be heard by the enemy, still there discretion
airy limits, which it to it were better not to
pass. Every word that is spoken here is heard upon
the plateau of Mexico Legislative discussions before
the world. As watch the indications of public
opinion in Mexico, and seek them in the journals of
the day the same universal messengers carry back TO
that country all we saying, and proposing. Far
be IT from me TO question the conduct the motives
of any honorable Senator. believe that every
member of this body is actuated by pure intentions
as am myself. But suggest, is ii prudent to say
here that it is uncertain whether we shall be able
to reach the city of Mexico during the campaign and
that if do not she will be encouraged, and we dis
couraged, she fortified, and we irresolute Is it
prudent to say that there doubts whether can
raise the means for another campaign costy and
at greater distance! Tosay that the spirit of volun
teering s gone! To say, that for third campaign,
there will be no longer resources in treasury notes
Exhausted, perhaps, by this single campaign To
ask if we can borrow! IF we can levy taxes I!
What taxes, &c. :! To ask, if we can collect them
in certain States that embarrassed and to
no To inquire if there will be sufficient unanimity
and zeal in the prosecution of the war, to warrant
the belief that Congress would grant the necessary
supplies
These are ifksome inquiries to me, Mr.. President,
and shall not pursue them. If all this is so, are
already unfaihful to the trust transmitted t. us par-
chased by the exerton and blood of our fathers and
left precious legacy for those who are to come
after US. The lofty position of the distinguished
Senator from South Carolina his reputation-a Euro
pean one in fact=-his great services; and his pure
character give extraordinary weight to all the senti
ments he utters; and the DEEPER therefore, is my
regret. If these apprehensions are well founded;
there is another point of application for the epigram
matte remark of French statesman, speaking of us
in the earlier period of our history, who said. II
such is the yOah of that public, what pil be its old
age" Sir, 1t will have no old age.
L re eyes of Europe upon US. Nothing worse
can happen to us than to stop inglOriOusly. That is
our last resource. We have, then, but to prosecute
the war; as other wars are prosecuted by other
nations We have but to discard dangerous expert
ments and to hold to the experience of the world
We must breast ourselves TO the shock. We must
continue our occupation of Mexico and push the
invasion still farther. We must do as other people
have done-we must disperse her miles, take pos
session of her towns, and capture her fortresses.
There to be analogy between the cites of
Paris and Mexico: Both the native seats of
lutions. Both exert preponderating influence over
their respective countries. l have no right to give
authoritative opinion respecting the expediency of
demonstration upon the capital Still, | do not
hesitate TO say, that think it would be a wise and
probably decisive measure. 1t would disperse the
government, and weaken if not break its hold upon
public opinion. 1t would divert the revenues from
them to us. And in addition to this resource,
agree fully with the honorable Senator from Missouri
in opinion, that should call contributions to our
aid in defrayng our military expenses 1t is legt-
mate means of support for hostile armies 1t belongs
the present age, and not exclusively to the past.
During all the in Europe in time, almost the
first thing the commander Of foreign army does on
entering enemy's town is to convene the magis-
tratcs and make acquisitions upon them for bread,
meat, wine, forage. and such other supplies as are
wanted. And this, too, under threat of military
cution: And in the process has been found efectua,
and practice universal.
Mr.. President the Senator from South Carolina has
adverted to the periodical visits of fever by which the
low lands of Mexico are during that season, imper-
vous to the stranger. 1t is tax which those rich
countries pay for other bountes that nature has given
them. But this is feson for haseniig, and not for
abandoning our operations. Certainly, trust, our
government will not expose tie lives of our brave
soldiers in those death-doing climates. Our armies
can fight with their natural enemies, and they have
poured out their blood like water for their country.
But they cannot fight the pestilence and their weap-
ons would be poweress before the angel of death.
Wherever, therefore; they may be when this time of
disease comes on they will no doubt be stopped and
properly taken care of in districts removed from its
operation This the paramount duty of the govern
ment, and they must fulfil it under the heaviest re-
sponsiblity. So much, sir, for the future
shall not, Mr. President, go over the whole ground
of our difficulties with Mexico regret that it be-
comes necessary to investigate their history in this
place. regret that unanimity does not prevail upon
this subject, when unanimity is essential to
prompt and vigorous action. While l regret it, how
ever, impugn the motives of no one Thank God,
free to Investigate the conduct of the gov
eminent as we are to Breathe the air of heaven. But
while concede to others the same right claim for
myself-the right 10 examine freely, and to judge
openly, the conduct of the government in its inter-
course with other nations may be allowed to express
the regret and together with the regret the surprise
that throughout the country one undivided sentiment
had not prevailed-that the conduct Of Mexico left
no choice between war and dishonor.
We were the first to receive that Republic into the
family of nations. Our complaints against her conf