The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-22
TIL E UNION.

upon the principal question, which can only come up on
honorable and distinguished senator from South carolina
as pretty near abstraction. That honorable SENIOR Is
rather fond Of distractions, and probably he has introduced
a good many of them in the form OF resolutions mere
There does appear to me- sir, to be intimate connexon
between the two great questions presented In these reso
uons, and the whole legislation upon these subjects h
regard to peculiar, extraordinary, uneXamPled red
tons with neiehborng power. We called on by
the Executive the discharge of his high functions to
provide additional means for the prosecution OF this war
and with the view he tells OF securing an hono
BILE peace Well sir in regard to the general proposlton
apprehend that there will be very little diversity oil
opinion here-I should hope so, sir at least Tor even
those honorable gentlemen who, some OF Them DeieVe'
think that this war originated unnecessarily, and some
what aggressively part must nevertheless see e
condition the country is in, and that, whatever may nave
been the origin of the war; cannot now very materially
bear upon the question We must sustain the national
characerwe must in some way bring this war 10 con-
clusion Well, sir, if the proposition OF the honoiple
have direct and practical bearing upon the Dill
which may come before us in pursuance OF the recon-
mendaton of the President then, perhaps we may as
well meet this great question in this form as IN any DINER
should think that the decision oil the Senate upon me
two questions which these resolutions present. would be
matter of Importance to the Committee on Military
Affairs and would give some degree OF direction 10 me
course of action deyovng them, and IN regard 10 te
additional propositions which it may be their duty to
bring before us in the prosecution OF this war AS
have already observed all parties will agree that TINS
What is an honorable conclusion Of the war; Some
may think that we have acquired honor enough ALREADY
in its prosecution and that we have prosecuted 1t as lar
as is usfable There but few, however, who think
So We want treaty of peace the war must be prose
cuted for that object and il is legitimate object But al
the time, who represent the interests OF tins great
nation have ought to have, some little sagacly we
must look at the actual condition of things and see what
will be the result of pursuing this matter and this ques
ton distinctly presented in the second resoluon-that
is, what line OF policy in the prosecution OF TINS war
may lead to result which will be much more impor-
ant much more solemn in It's consequences, than the
attainment OF honorable peace. May mot such result
follow Is there not reason to fear 1t And II so, 1t
may not be ams to look it in advance and preced-
ing the preparations which it may be necessary to make
for the prosecution of the war believe 1t to be the
general sentiment of this body that the conquest OF this
extensive country desired The next question IS,
whether may not be thrown INTO position IN
which such result will become almost inevitable. The
from Michigan tells cannot see the END OF
the war; that we cannot now say what the terms OF
peace should be- because what might be suitable at tins
time might be very unsuitable at another time Well,
then, would not be well to examine and understand
how we are best to the object are all aiming
at that may not be drawn into the necessity OF taking
possession OF the whole OF Mexico Now both OF these
questions presented in these resolutlons anu the
last one regard being of the greatest Importance and
there may be difficulty in acting upon it, because there
nothing definite the terms OF the resolution iise oy
which to reach the end desired believe may
say that we all wish to avoid the probable contingency
whereby shall be under the necessity OF taking care
ofthe whole population of that country, and extending
our jurisdiction over It,
Now these are great questions which cannot be too
carefully considered am not for abandoning this war;
but the time cannot but see that every step we
take in The conquest OF this country but increases our
difficulty and renders the adjustment which have al
uded subject Of greater difficulty Sir, no one can MIS-
take that it is the sentiment Of the army-and the army
and to be heard, and fet-t is evidently say, their
sentiment that this is only TO end with the entire
conquest OF Mexico, have read the proceedings OF
the meeting 10 which the honorable senator alluded.
II read them with the most profound regret. Sir, we
hear from our countrymen abroad in the service OF
their country (and we hear the same from several quar-
4n,t,-
ton of the whole country. When we see that these
things and that this is likely to become the pre-
valng sentiment is it not time tovew matters carefully
and proceed with caution think So tor one II IS
not necessary to go further into this subjects is not
necessary look the consequences that will result to
it is not du to ss the a and P
alarming results which will follow from change SO
great, momenous, in our political condition. and in
the extent OF our territorial possessions SIR, think
there proprety in acting upon these propositions
in advance of acting upon connected with this
war certainly should not have proposed anything OF
the kind myself; but being here, cannot see, looking
at the signs OF the times but that there is manifest
proprety in examining these questions am one who
think that ought to have indemnity from Mexico; that
ought prosecute the with the end OF obtaining
it. if there be any reasonable prospect OF getting 1t by
further extension of conquests But if there is not
such prospectf have already proceeded far enough
to be convinced that peace not to be obtained by
tending our dominion, then the grave question,
whether shall fall back upon some such proposition
as that which was offered by the distinguished gentle 4
CaTOund at
ourselves with the occupation of portion of Their terri,
tory whether we will make the caamties OF war TALL
with increased force upon the enemy, and thus induce
them to make peace? But will they be induced to do
this by breaking up the fragments of the government
they have and resolving that country into the primitive
condition of population without government! think
involves doubt, whether, after have done
that shall not be further from the end than at
present will yield my objections against divetng the
attention of the Senate to the discussion OF abstract ropo
sons, far ss those propositions have bearing upon
The subject that may before us tor our consldera
ton Believing this to be the case IN regard to one OF
these propositions, shall not offer any opposition to its
discussion. | hope it will come up at an early day.
know there important matters OF BUSINESS important
bills-one of them in relation to foreign mail service
which | hope will be considered at early day and
the discussion will month at least of our time.
before do anything in regard to these important
matters OF business.
Mr.. DICKINSON Anxious as am to obtain discus
sion upon the resolutions offered do not wish them to
interfere with matters OF legislation; shall discuss
them, others inclined to do, before they
are under consideration The from Connecticut
Mfr NILrs1 thinks they are distractions believe, sir,
call that senator witness, and dsprove his allie
CATION That senator is at all times severely practical;
and yet esentlng resolutions OF his State this morn
ing he proceeded discuss the subject embraced in my
resolutions at great length, and with his usual ability
Now, sir had these resolutions been distractions, am
sure they would not have thus received the senator's no.
ce for the that he does not grautousy discuss
distractions do not complain of this departure from
the usual course for doubtless agreeable to the
Senate listen to the learned SENATOR il certainly
to me but adduce il the highest evidence that my
resolutions are not distractions 4
The resolutions emnenly practical; they relate to
subjects of legislation which have agitaed The country
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