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


rangement intend to present my views of the
causes and course of the thus far and also the
reasons which will induce me to vote for the appro-
priaton of three millions Of dollars To which
shall add my views Of the best mode of proceeding
IN the prosecution Of the war; | shall begin however
with the two latter subjects.
do not risc Sill with the emotions SO visibly felt
and eoquenty described BY the distinguished Senator
from South Carolina. do not consider this country
or Its institutions in the slightest danger Never was
1t more Free powerful, prosperous than the pres
EN- moment, when untimeiy warnings come to assail
I'VE are, indeed, engaged in foreign war; which
demands the solicitude 6 every good citizen. But
the scene OF Its operations is two thousand miles dis
tant, and come the worst that may, at any
time withdraw into country Disgraceful,
indeed, would be such MOVEMENT; but it would be
still better than the evils predicted and according
the nature Of the apPrehensions expressed, it would
sserminafe the danger.
Mr. President, it gives me great pain TO hear any
illusions to the dissolution of the confederacy and Of
gil the places in this republic, this high place is the
Iassszwhich they should be expressed. The consti-
tuition IS in danger 1t has survived many shock,
and IT will survive many more. There those now
IN ths Senate-and am among them-who were born
before 1t came into being.
No inrmity has come to tell us that Its dissolution
Is near. II is no longer experiment, but expert
ence no longer promise, but performance. 1t has
fulfilled all, and than all that its sangune
u1h6kdared predict. II is at this moment stronger
Don Of the American people than at any
.lfo6 Of its existence Like the cliff of eternal
granite, which overlooks the ocean, and drives back
Pceaseess that assa its base, so will this
Intuition resist the assaults that may be made upon
It, come how when, or whence they may. In the
providence Of God sch lot ours was ever con-
ferred upon people. What we have been and are,
the past and the present have tod and telling
What to be, the future will tell to those who
are to come after US, to their Joy or sorrow we
cherish or reject the blessings we enjoy If are
not struck with judicial blindness, were Gods cho-
people Of DID, and punished for national offences
by national punishments, shall cling to this con-
stitution the mariner cngs to the last plank when
night and the tempest close around him. and shall
cling to II the stronger, as the danger is greater.
Mr.. President, shall not touch any of the topics
before a sectional name. l view them, and
shall present them American citizen, looking to
the honor and interests of his country and of his
whole country. In these great questions of national
bearing, acknowledge no geographical claims
What is best for the United States best for me, and
in that spirit alone shall pursue the discussion;
We are at war with Mexico, brought on by her in
justice Before peace is established we have a right
require of her reasonable indemnity, either Pc
cunary territorial, both, for the injuries we
have sustained. Such compensation is just In ITSELF
and In accordance with the usages of nations
One memorable proof of This passed in own times.
When the allies entered aris after the overthrow of
Napoleon, they compelled the French government to
pay them indemnity of 100000, 900 of francs,
equal to 1000 900 of dollars. In the condition Of
Mexico there is disposition in this country ask
IF her any unreasonable sacrifice. On the contrary
the wish IS everywhere prevalent, and am sure the
government participate in it, that should demand
less than we are entitled to- No proposes rigid
standard by which the indemnity shall be measured.
But there certain territorial acquisitions which
important to US, and whose cesson cannot inlure
Mexico, she never can hold them permanently. We
willing after settling the indemnity satisfactorily
to pay for the excess in money. The senator from
South Carolina has stated the proposition very dis
tinctly, "any excess our part We are willing to
meet we ought, by the necessary payment to Mex
ico."
Information received by the President, during the
last session Of Congress- induced him to believe that
If an appropriation for this purpose made, the
difficulties between the two countries might soon be
terminated by amicable arrangement. PROPOSE
ton for that purpose submitted 20 in secret
session, debated and approved by this Senate 1t
then introduced into the Legislature with open doors,
passed the House of Representatives aud came to
Here discussed until the stroke of the clock,
when the hand on the dial struck Its funeral knell.-
In his message the commencement Of this Congress,
the President renewed his suggestion, and the whole
matter is now before us. Such is its history.
1t is now objected to as an immoral proposition,
kind Of bribery either of the of Mexico,
of its commanding generals and the honorable
senator from Maryland, who is IN his seat, said
emphacally and soemnly, that this project of ter
minatng the war by dlsmemberng sister republic,
revolving to my moral Of propriety, honor.
and Justice, that should see my palsied by my
side, rather than agree to it." The ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of which the honorable member speaks is previously
defined by himself That is the term he gives the
acquisition, but call purchase. He says the money
will go to Santa Anna and pay the army, which will
thus be secured and the poor "downtrodden" people
be transferred this country in spite of themselves
in consequence of this pouring Of gifts into the hands
of their tyrants."
Now, sir, there is such proposition, as UNDER
stand it, or any thing like it. The object OF the
President has been distinctly stated by himself 1t is
have the money ready, and if satisfactory treaty
Is signed and ratified, then to make payment into
the treasury of Mexico which will be disposed of by
the government of that country agreeably to Its
laws. The propositions both at the last session of
Congress and this were identical.
The whole proposition results from the peculiar
condition of Mexico. Her government IS ePhemeral
It's members born in the morning, and die in the
evening Administrations succeed one another, like
the scenes Of theatre rather than the events of life
and still less Of events in the life Of the nation. The
rulers do dare do justice in such as this
It might cost them their places, to which they hold
tenaciously though their tenure were secure
There is strong excitement in that country
against US. Nothing shows more distinctly than the
scene which lately passed there, when their President
that the nation would never yield one inch of
Its territory, make peace with the invader till his
foot was off its soil. dangerous resolution to be
thus publicly proclaimed, and more easily pro-
claimed than kept. The sublime and the ridiculous
may easily touch, that nations should be chary In
such exhibisons. which may belong to the domain of
oftf9other as subsequent circumstances stamp
their character Whatever Judgment, however, his