Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-02-25

fortified anew, and viii be more irresolute in going
on But suppose we do reach the city of Mexico so
as to dictate peace-wth whom have we to deal?-
peope-a race of all others renowned in history for
their obstnacy and powers of long continued resist
ance. A people whose hereditary pride is that they
stand out to the utmost-a people who varied with the
Moors for upwards IF seven centures-a people whose
hereditary pride it is that they stand out who for eighty
years varied against their mother country-a people
who would not recognize the independence of their
colonies in twenty years. These are the people we
have to deal with, and is it presumabe that Mexico
will once yield to our terms? Is there any certainty
for 90 certaines now more than probabilities
can any gentleman any certainty Of Mexico yield
ing to our terms, supposng this first campaign
should find us in the city Of Mexico: WE'LL then,
we must have another campaign. Now solemn
question comes up--have we the mcans-can we raise
the money! Remember it must be much more costly
than either of the first. 1t will be carried on at a
greater distance. 1t will be of character different
from the others; for if we do not conquer Mexico
If her government whdmws and make no
peace, we must then have mere Guerilla war, such
as exists between the Russians and Clrcassians Such
is the description of war we must have Shall we
have means to meet this enormous expense? Let me
tell you in the first place, this campaign over, the spir
it of volunteering is gone. So many men Of broken
constitutions return, so many who went for glory re-
turn with shattered health, so many give such des
perate account of the affair, that get no more vol
unleers We must depend upon the ordinary recruit
ing, and that might be sufficient to give us twenty
thousand men for our next campaign-for third cam
pagn, if it took place.
Well, suppose that difficulty surrounded suppose
the men ready, can you raise ways and means? A far
more difficult question. Remember you will have no
longer resources in your treasury notes. That's eX-
hauSted, perhaps more than exhausted by this single
campaign. You must borrow and lay taxes. Can you
borrow? you lay taxes? What taxes? Upon
your imposts? They can give you but small supply.
You must go to internal taxes. Cal you get them?-
L is country has resources almost beyond any EARTH
But there is one circumstance which greatly embarass
us in reference to internal taxes: Many of the States
are greatly in debt. Many of them owe as much as
they can pay with the most enormous taxes Well,
now, all taxation must be uniform. Can YOU collect
in all those States? If you attempt, will not repuda-
ton extend instead Of being restricted: Will the peo-
pie bear it? VIII Pennsylvania, with forty millions
on her shoulders, bear additional taxation? Will Ma
ryand, who cannot resume now, but is struggling to
resume, will she bear enough to pay, and also again
resume: No Yet suppose that difficulty over, sup
pose we get all we want, is there sufficient unanimty
and zeal i'll the prosecution of this war 10 warrant the
belief that Congress would give supplies? Does the
evidence of this session furnish satisfactory reply tc
that inquiry? No. There is too much division Of
sentiment for that. very large proportion of oul
country believed that the might have been avoid
ed, and that it ought to have been avoided. A large
portion Of our country believe that the war was com
menced without the authority of the Constitution, and
without the sanction of Congress- y vast number OF
believe that the war is highly injurious and inexped
ent These opinions we cannot doubt are honestly
entertained. What my opinions are on all these points
should be glad to go into on any suitable occasion -
But do not hold it to be proper to mngIe my owl
private views and sentiments IN justification OF my
course on so grave question. 1t is sufficient for inc
to say that these deep convictions all these point
in reference to the war, which extend, if you may
Judge from appearances to nearly half of our who'll
pouation render it highly improbable that there will
be that zeal and unanmity necessary to enable us tc
procure the means Of carrying this third campaign
But suppose all these difficulties overcome--here is
another still deeper-stll more alarmng-to be met
There is another question to be met which touches the
very foundations of our republic To whose beneh
shall the lands acquired, if any be acquired inure?
Shall the benefit be exclusively enjoyed by one portion
of the Union? We are told, sir, and | am afraid APP
pearances justify it, that all parties in the slave
holding portions of the Union insist that they shall
have exclusive monopoly--that such provisions
shall be made as shall exclude those who are interest
ed in the institutions of the south. Sir if the mol
saveholdng States, having no other interest but a
version to saveryif they come to this conclusion
with other interest but that turn to them, ant
ask them what must be the feeling of savehodinl
States, who are to be deprived of their rghts-to bt
deSpoed of that which belongs to them, and to be as
sailed IN the most vulnerable point, and to whom Thu
question IS one of Safety and not mere policy about
point in which they have real interest? there bt
sternncss side, be assured there will be stern
ness on the other. Now, if | may Judge from wha
has been declared on this floor, from what hear al
sides; if members from non slaveholdng States were
perfectly sure that they would not acquire one loot O
this land free, they would hesitate to carry out vigo
rous prosecution of the war by which it was to be &C
CURED. Can they them suppose there is less feeling
on the part Of those who to be entirely excluded
and do they suppose that means can be furnished for
war to be regularly carried on where these radica
differences lie at the bottom?
4 Mr.. President will suppose however that all es
difficulties are removed will suppose that men ant
money and unanmity can be had, The question thel
comes, can you, if you do not make peace with Mexico
in the city of MeXico-Can you bring this war to
successful conclusion by subduing the country? That
the question. Is there any certainy-for do not maxi
1t question Of probability at all? Look at the histo
ry of these wars. There are two now existing t.
which have already alluded-the war of Russia witt
the CauCassans the war of France in Africa. Thes
wars ale somewhat analogous to that in which we arr
engaged. We find in these countries brave men de
Tending themselves in their mountain Businesses agains
the best troops in Europe and the highest military skill
Are to experience no difficulties of similar kim
with that obstinaely perssting in telr reslsenc
to the very last? No, sir There is certainty tina
the will be brought to a successful issue Yo
may 60 on to the fourth, fifth, sixth ninth campaign
How many campaigns has France had already in Al
geria? A Senator" Sixteen!'] How many ha
Russia had in the Caucasus? How many had we our
selves with patry band of Indians in Florida Why
that war lasted five years, and cost thirty millions
dollars! Suppose we do go on, and at the end Of tn
fourth or fifth campaign then the great question
What are you to do with the territory? Can you in
corporate it in your Union? Can you bring in seve
millions of people of lineage and religion aogethe
different from our own and having concentrated an
powerful priesthood? No. Can we hold them as sui
jugated provinces? 1t would be fatal to our insttu
tons. 1t would involve most enormous expenses, an
. a vast increase of Executive power. Well, now PIT
r. emphatically the great question, with all these view
before you-wth certainty before you that eithc
one end or another be certainly reached, can yo
v will you agree to carry on war simply to get thc
= which you now hold and can so easily hold? Wht
:. would be the result when you would reach the end
the fourth or fifth campaign? debt of three or fou
hundred millions of dollars You would have free trad
put an end TO for generation and CpneratlOns