The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-24

The Hon. JOHN p. GAINES, recently prisoner I'D
the city of Mexico and member elect OF the present
Congress, reached his home in Covington, KY, OF
Thursday last and met with an enthusiastic recep-
lion. He was met by large procession of his fel
low-ctizens, and welcomed home by John w. Ste
venson esq, who had been selected by the people OF
Covington TO represent them on the occasion. Maj.
Gaines replied in speech which occupied one houl
md half In It's delivery, II was listened 10 with
the deepest interest The Cincinnati Atlas gives q
sketch of the speech from which we extract the fol
owing:
He said very little Of political matters, but that lit
lie full OF meaning In regard TO the war; he re-
vowed the opinion declared by him before he Joined
the army, that II was wrongfuly brought about by
our Government; and he now added that the Adm
nistraton quite censurable for the manner oil
its prosecution us for It's unjust origin The army,
he knew from personal observation, had suffered ioi
want of provisions, munitions, and men, the means
Of furnishing all which had been placed in the Pres
DENTS hands by Congress. Not only had the gallant
soldiers suffered great personal privaons, owing tc
this derelclion OF the Executive, but the war had
been actually prolonged and rendered much more
bloody and disastrous than IL would otherwise have
been. Had the President employed the means al
his disposal In reinforcing Gen Scott the city OF
Mexico would have been captured earlier, and In his
opinion with far less loss OF life than that actually
incurred from the ineflidency fthe Administration.
In these opinions respecting the failure OF the Exec
ntive TO furnish provisions, munitions, and men TO
the army and the mourntn results of such inefiicen
cy, Major Gaines soid every man In the army, what
ever his party predictions, emphatcaly concurred
with him.
He avowcd his intention 10 vote in Congress the
ampest supplies for the army as long us the war le-
gay exists but he also nvowed, with great emphn-
sis his decisive determination 10 oppose the annexa-
ton Of any Mexican territory to the United States,
or the incorporation OF any portion OF the people Of
Mexico with ours.
He remarked that he never found Mexican in
In favO nj with tho I1nifel md
he had no hope OF uny treaty through the instrument
tality of Mr.. 1'rlst He had given this opinion To
Gen. Scott, who was greatly annoyed thereat, the
General confidently believing that OH taking the city
he would dictate the terms of peace 10 the enemy.
He expects be ready to take his seat in Congress
about the first Monday in January.
-
Observing that some Of our citizens who signed
certain petition, which was presented to Congress
the other day, have come out dsclaiming signing il
for the purpose for which 1t seems II used too
must say that was deceived. Ii was represented to
me to be nothing more than for the stopping the inn
portation, deposite and exploration of slaves from
the District. Thus far go, and no farther. ! am
too much engaged trying to abolish slavery which
many of our citizens both white and black are sub
iect to-I mean the slavery to the botHe--to NEEDLE
GEoRoE SAVAGE.
Mn. CALHOUN on THE WAR; should be very
glad indeed TO think with the honorable gentleman
from Michigan, that there is person in the coun-
try who thinks Of the extinction of the nationality
Of Mexico. Why, you can hardly read newspaper
without finding It filled with speculation upon this
subject The proceedings that took place In Ohio,
at dinner given TO one of the volunteers officers OF
the army returned from Mexico, show concusively
that the impression entertained by the persons pre-
sent, was that our troops would never leave Mexico
until they had conquered the whole country. This
was the sentiment advanced by the officer and II
appauded by the official paper of that State.
But this Is not the point. The question is not now
hath rh "a 10 Nplnt nd ntfr h,,fa
no such motive to any one. look at the progress
Of it-those consequences which l propose TO avert
by this resolution. Sir let any man look at the pro-
gress Of this warlct him consider how we got Into
It. not expecting to get into It all for certainly the
Executive officers expressed, In the strongest man
ner their conviction that there the slightest
10 the Rio Grands. What NEXT After the war was
commenced we were told that the Government was
to conquer piece, and what have we been told
since2 That we must carry on the war vigorous
ly. Where is this TO end The whole progress to-
wards the accomplishment Of this avowed object Of
the President, to conquer peace, has been marked
by an earnest desire eagerly to prosecute the war
until we find ourselves where no man expected -
Sir instead Of being abstaction these resolutions
eminenily praciical they SO intended to pre-
sent to the people Of fhis-country fnais probably
not now anticipated, and which will come If proper
precautions be not taken. 1t Is while the public
lieve is prepared almost unanimously to vote against
such an end of the war, that wish this expression
Of opinion to be made Sir, we begin now TO find
the misfortune Of entering into war without decla-
ration Of warwihout declaration setting forth to
the people the of the war and one upon which
they may hold the government responsible. We have
got into a war by q recognition OF war, und not q
declaration, and hence the necessity for this resoll-
ton to negative result which we do not contem-
platee