The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-11


certain it is that this limit an American and not Mex
lean suggestion. But however this may have been, II
came too late To withdraw when required to do 80 by
the Mexican general accompanied with the threat OF I'M
mediate hoses should the proposition be declined and
fixing the period Of wentyfou hours as the term Tor It's
consideration would have furnished the honor OF our
arms, and dsgraced in the eyes OF the world. when
American general stops even to consider such an u
maum he is no longer fit to lead his counuymen to battle
But repeat sir, let do justice TO ourselves. Lei us
apply to our government the same principles Of ac-
ton which regulate the other powers OF the earth What
would England Or France have done under s similar CIR
cases. and know what they would have done IN tins
reasonable forecast would have given them rlght to
take the 'inative" neither they would 40 that t or
only make preparations repe the threatened attack by
collecting their land and forces, and by placing these
in the best positions for immediate service upon the mar
thine and inland frontiers OF their opponent would have
been mere question OF prudential calculation depend
ing the peculiar circumstances OF the case 10 40
either would have been their unquestoned right and
or the other they would have done as AL Their his,
took these positions, every dictate OF honor and pru
dence required us do Mexico said she would attack
did happen and she attacked us We took the defensive,
and she the "indt1pe" Let not then be told, sir,
that the passage of the Nueces brought this Its
proyimate cause annexation proclaimed before and
SINCE by Mexico to us and to the world. Had we no
shadow of title to the country extending to the Rio
Grande the movement OF forces to that river would
have been justified by the sternes dictates OF sede-
fence The attack being inevitable ii for us TO
choose where receive 1t; either within own from
tier within that OF our opponent Such IS the law OF
nations, and such the practice OF nations.
But sir passing from the TO the conduct OF the
war; another broad field of controversy has been open
ed TO us We attacked along our whole line. The
the measures the motives the objects OF the ad
mnistration equally called into question. do not
fatter myself that any views present will influence
the final Judgment which the Senate and the country
formed opinion for myself and desire briefly to state
the considerations on which il is founded
In order Justly to appreciate the probable results OF this
war; it is necessary TO look back upon the condition OF
the country at its commencement What was that COM
mencement! sudden attack precpitated Mexican
army upon detachment OF American troops Twice
our maintained, and two brilliant victories
were gained under circumstances which Amer
ican can recall without emotions of pride and pa
triotism We had made but inadequate preparations for
such aggression Its scene was almost 900 miles
from the seat OF government Our whole army, OF which
only portion that frontier did not exceed 1000
men, scattered along the coast and interior boundary OF
this vast republic. And what spectacle was exhibited
when the of this aggression broke upon the public
ear' The citizens Of Greece and Rome, in the brightest
days OF those republics never brought to the altar OF their
country better orprouder sacrifices There unver
sal burst of patriotic devotion. More than 100000
men enrolled themselves and asked to be permitted to
march the battle field and necessary to die for their
country. | have seen the conscripton in Europe by
WHICH armies ae kept up, and freedom is kept down;
and have attended the drawing to ascertain the circum-
stances accompanying it. And melancholy exhibition
it is OF power on .one sde and OF repugnance on the
other. The Young men are collected at the place as
signed for this lottery of life. Their numbers drawn
in succession and they await the result with almost
fearful anxiety; great calamity is always awaited by
those whom il may fall, and who yet ignorant
where il will strike, and where it will spare. And the
eyultaon OF those who escape and the depression Of
those who do not strikngly displayed, not only by
the parties themselves but by their immediate connexions,
who accompany them, and await the result with APP
prehension scarcely inferior to their own
| But here sir, there none OF the machinery by
which unwilling Citizens are made conscrpts, and con-
A al
former occasion, at the first tap OF the drum at the first
sound OF the bugle the country armsthe arti-
san left his tools where he had used hem-the farmer
his plough in the urowthe employments OF life were
abandoned-and spectacle passed before eyes,
in modern times 1t has been computed that almost
half million OF men appealed TO their government for the
privilege OF participating in the vindeatlon OF lis honor
and IN the defence OF their country.
Should this war terminate tomorrow without ndem.
mott should still consider its results richly worth all
they have cost regret the expenditure of money it has
occasoned, and deplore the loss Of lfeo much pre-
cous lfe-whch has been SO freely poured out in its
prosecution But that has been well spent, and
that life nobly sacrificed We not truly known to
the nations Of the world. Our industry, indeed
terprse spirit of maritime adventure, had proclaimed
themselves in the most distant regions wherever the seas
were whened by canvass, or ploughed by keels
and that wherever was everywhere But we had been
deeds of military prowess had been orgoen our cara-
city either to defend ourselves rights and
honor by almost unknown, and where regard
exerted But this deuson has passed away it has beer
speed by the three victories gained vastly supe
rior numbers, and accompanied with circumstances Of
gallantry and military skill which will make then
memorable at home, and acknowledged proofs of Amer
can prowess abroad. We are redeemed We take ou
station among the nations, Of the earth willing to dc
right, and able 10 command it, Henceforth, during this
generatOn at least wherever our banner borne by lane
or by il will be pointed 10 the national emblem
people who have done those deeds which give charac
ter now, and security hereafter.
But sir, to return to the condition of troops at thu
commencement of the war. The force, from the clrcum
stances have stated collected in the shortest posi-
bic time and put hastily in march for the of opera
tons. Far the greatest portion OF this force unds
cipned, and without military experience: Brave indeed
cal knowledge OF military life, essential to form al
efficient soldier And in all investigations into thu
conduct and history OF this war, there importan
consideration we must keep steadily in view. Our militia
ry esab!i shment from the very nature of position
and institutions, is the most expensive in the world HUI
more comfortably, and are better provided for. Thei
present is richer in performance, and their future prom
ise French soldier receives sous, not equal to
cent day. do not speak with absolute certainty
|, looking into the details OF this subject 1t may b.
that one centme day--the tenth part of cent-ha
come increase this compensation For that proposition
certainly occupied the attention of the French Chambers
a few years since What do you think Mr. President
OF three dollars and sxy-fve cents, the annual pa,
service the best part of his life; for that is the tern
during which every French soldier is compelled to
What do You think of quarter of pound of lean beef
and from pound to pound and half of brown-amos
backbread, for the daily subsistence Of men, called b.
the heaviest penalties maintain the honor of their coun
try abroad and the power of their government at home
As with the pay, is it with the subsistence. do no
undertake speak with absolute precision; but know