Democratic banner., 1847-02-15

TO be disbanded there, upon her fruitful
and fertile plains, instead of being marched
back, at public expense, TO your crowded
and %corrupt cities: would there be anything
very startling in such a course OF policy !?
He thought not; and the cases were perfect
ly parallel. But gentlemen tell us these
troops are for california settlers. Well, II
california is a part of the United States at
the termination of the war, ("a consumma-
ton devoutly to be wished,")i it would be-
come as much our interest and duty to peo-l
pie it, as it would Oregon or Nebraska. Hell
saw nothing in this point. California was
now ours b. right of conquest and, from
any prospects ofrecapture whlchhe could
Idiscern, he Judged it was likely to continue
SO, unless We saw proper to surrender 1t on
tic restoratian Of peace. If we retain H.
We may leave those troops there to settle 1t,
If not, we have other territories there Tor
their occupation. The policy was a wise
one, and all the invec:ive of the Wing press
and politicians cannot shake the confidence
ofthe people in the patriotism of its design.
1t was asked what the President sought
by the war? He could tell them-peace,
IA lasting and honorable peace. That was
sought from the first, and was still continu-
cd He held there was but one course in
war: no nation sould go to the war until she
was convinced she was right, and then she
was obliged to prosecute it to an honorable
peace. If we could obtain it in no other
way, VIC must win it by the lrowess of our
arms. In return no would ask, what was
sought by this wholesale opposition to the
,,o,O IVo,ll kl,a, have onr oarcn ohou-
doned? Would they recall the troops from
their victories? Would they counsel a dis
graceful retreat? Or would they, for the
sake of Preaching the President, cripple the
energies of the nation and force her to al
dishonorable peace!3
But the gentleman spoke of the President
as confederating with Santa Anna. 1t was
an utterly ridiculous charge, and Dir. b..
was astonished at the hardihocd of gentle
men in making such a charge in the pres
ence of that enlightened body. The Presi-
dent instructed the blockading squadron not
to intercept Santa Anna. Did any man
doubt the object of the policy? They knew
that the president acted on the principle that
if San Anna could get into Mexico, the
rival chiefs might 60 to war, and by civil
commotion aid the efforts of the United
States. 1t was a consummate piece of pol
icy, prompted by the noblest patriotism.-l
Would gentlemen, then tell the people that
tie President should have labored TO pre-
serve the brotherh Of the Mexican peo-
pie? The President had done nothing but
what lac was bound to DO by the most sa-
cred obligations of patriotism. He would
not do the gentlemen the discrcdit O fimpu-
ting to them anything but malevolence to
the Administration in their assaults. lie
characterized the assaults on the execu-
tive as disgraceful. 1t was much easier to
a reputation than to maintain one. /
Talk of the President, who is daily assailedlt
this floor, as an usurper and plunderer,
the energy with which he is prosecuting |.
the war, as confederating with the enemy!
It is absurd, too absurd for Credulity,.--l
And who makes this ridiculous charge ?-|s
The very assailants themselves-geEtlemen
who denounce the success of our arms as
nsurpation and plumber. Was there ever
greater piece of mockery!?
The gentleman from tennessee GMr Cen {
try supposses that the President had beonI
rendered sensitive by the question, "WhoI
) James X. Polk pa and he desired to Gre i
tie a sensation in the world, and renderId
lis administration as glorious as Mr.. Tyler's
some brilliant achievement of annexation.
As to Mr.. Tyler Mr.. b. would leave him to I
he defence Of those who elevated him to Ii
power. But he had thought the glorious s.
esults Of the last Presidential ele ction had u
made the Wings pretty sick ofthat question. .
lie had thought that they had learned by :.
iear-bought experience at the same time, II
he hazard of assuming an air of contempt
owards the candidate, and knew most IL
alphabetically who James K. Polk was. Helb,
vas perfectly aware that those who were in =
he habit of worshiPping men, and not prin-
iples, found it hard to reconcile the idea of tr
great party leaving the theatre of political m
trife to select thier candidates from the CT
leat body of the people-from the less W
stentatlous, but more honorable and virtu- -,
us walks ofprivatc life. 1t was to men,
.alted and elevated men, dazzling in the ne
lare of"a bubble reputation,'' that the OBJ W
Osits party looked for leaders, s. of course q
could not comprehend the democratic &C
18th which spurnsd to know men,, as con-
distinguished from principles. Then, in
e true spirit of democracy, the answer to