The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-01-05
COTE CONGHgEss.
SECOND Session.
DEBATE ON Il WAR

pendent of the Baltimore Americn Of a
Tuesday. giving the proceedings in the
House of Representatives, on Monday
last. The House was sitting in Commit
tee Of the Whole.
Dir. SAWYER Of Ohio, addressed
the Committee in an ultra speech, begin
ming with a defence of the war and The
charge that the Wings. as a party, were
opposed 10 lis prosecution; and then
launching out in charging the Wings with
being "Federalists." and ike the .Fede-
~ralists" Of 1912. standing out in OPPOSE
ton 10 the Var and the Country. Then,
TOO. they used the precise language of the
Tories Of 1910, and must have borrowed
i. from them.
The worst sentiments Of old tories and
federalists were referred 10, TO show Ibis
odious likeness, and in this style Mr.. s..
went on for his hour.
Mr.. GIDDINGS of Ohio, bad some
little sparring with Mr.. Sawyer in behalf
Of Mr.. Root, who, though absent, was as
sailed.
EIr. E. D. BAKER Of Illinois, the
Colonel OF the Ill. Volunteers, next adj
dressed the Committee, thanking the
House al the first for the floor and the
Chairman OF the Committee for awarding
it TO him. Tie did not design to take any
part i'll the controversy which had been
going on between members Of different
political parties.
Coming then to the impor:ant subject.
he said that the hrmy in Mexico needed
more men and more money, and they
needed both now. Immediately; once.
The army was deficient in the necessary
numerical force. The country thoy had
captured covered an immense tract. and
it would require large forces of men to
garrison Monterey, SaltiIIo. Camargo,
Matamoras, and other points OF country
which had been secured.
According 10 Mr. Baker, there were
but IL goo men belonging to err forces in
Mlexico-available meu. after the places
taken had been gar.isoned. Mexico was
better prepared 10 make a war now than
she was when the war commenced. The
Mexicans did not yet believe that we
could onque their country, and during
the existence Of the war they had become
more naiionalized than they had been,
and many of the Mexicans had made he
roic sacrifices to save themselves and their
country.
We had really done little or nothing to
conquer peace. The President had re-
Gently called out nine or ten new regi-
menis. bat they were very far from being
upon the ground. At most they were
but about 1000 men. Mexico had 25 900
men, and most Of them her brayest peo-
pie.
Six months ago we sent into the field
% regiments. They went into the SER
vice with high hopes and eager expecta-
tons, but alas. how many Of them slept
upon the banks OF the Rio Grande.-
About 1000 men, of the best blood of the
nation, who had never seen the enemy,
found a grave upon the Rio Grande. The
country had proved mst sickly, and the
army had suffered most severely.
Even the young men Of tie service
had been among the greatest sufferers
In some regiments one-seyenth aud one
eighth had died from the exposure 10 the
climate, the want Of water, and the change
Of food! What those men had done they
had done for fame, glory, love of country.
Il was cold hlooded cruelty 10 desire that
these men should be called to endure Il
other campaign, when by a pFomp! and
energetic war We could produce a peace
before another campaign.
lie spoke not row rs { volunteer off
Ger, but as a Representative of the PEG
pie. We were to have peace some time.
Let it como as soon as we could secure 1t.
II must come at some time. If it was
not meant to prosecute the war further, 1t
was better to Withdraw the troops now.
But he supposed there was 10 be no re-
treat. and God forbid that there should be
any. lie stood not here TO ask how mo-
new could be procured or how more men
coald be provided.
lie was sure, however, that we had
both The means and the energy to prose
cute the war. The sentiment of the
American people and the sentiment OF the
Army was for short, sudden war. The
soldiers painted for battle, and they needed
only saccor and encouragement from
home 10 give efficiency to their arms
He was sure that more volunteers could
be procured. and he knew that more
were ready 10 Join the army from his
State.
Mr.. Baker continued: What was to be
done oughlto be done at once. ii the
volunteers were to be paid more than -
a month, they ought TO receive it now,
and !. was better to pay them in money
than in lands. He had seen volunteers,
moor. emaciated and suffering severely
for the comforts OF life.
lie had known ten cents a pound % be
1.-tn fnr nnnr Gil