Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1847-03-17
Speech OF Gen. Cass,
UPON THE THREE Million pIIT


rangenent. | intend present my views of the
causes and course of the war thus far and also the
reasons which Will induce me to vote for the appro.
priation OF three millions of dollars To which
shall add my views OF the best mode Of proceeding
IN the prosecution of the shall begin, however,
with the two latter subjects.
do not rise, sill, with the emotions so vislbly felt
and eioquenty described by the distinguished
from South Carolina do MT consider this country
its institutions IN the slightest danger Never was
cnf moment, when nntmely warnings come to assail
We are, indeed, engaged in a foreign war, which
demands the solicltudc of every good citizen. But
the scene OF lis operations two thousand miles dis
tant, and come the worst that may, any
time Withdraw into country. D.sgrac,fIl,
indeed, would be such a movement; but 1t would be
still better than tile evils predicted, and according
The nature of the apprehensons expressed, 1t would
terminate the danger.
Mr. President, 1t gives me great pain 10 hear any
illusions 10 the dissolution of the confederacy and Of
all the places in this republic, this high place the
last IN which they should be expressed The consti-
tuition Is IN danger. 1t has survived many shock
aud It will survive many more. There are those now
an the Scnae-aRd am among them-who were born
before 1t came into being.
No nhrmlly ha, TO tell that It's dissolution
- near IL Is no longer experiment. but expert
"nce no longer promise, but performance Ii has
fulfilled all, and than all that sang uinc
II III IDOUeut stronger
the affection OF the American people than al any
period of its existence. Like the cliff Of eternal
granite, which overOOks the ocean, and drives back
the ceaselcsS that assaii its base, viii this
Constitution resist the assaults that be made upon
IT. come how or whcn or whence they NAV In the
providence Of God ch lot as ours was ever con-
,erred upon people. What we have been and are
the past and the present have told, and telling
What we to be, the future will tell 10 those who
10 come after u, to their JOY or sorrow, as we
cherish or reject the blessings we enjoy. Ii We are
not struck with judicial blindness, as Gods cho-
people Of old, and punished for national offences
by natIona puniShmeus, shall cling TO tins con-
stItution tire mariner clngs to the last plank, when
night and the tempest close around him and shall
cling to 1t the stronger the danger Is greater.
Mr.. President, shall not touch any Of the topics
before sectional name. | 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
hearing, | acknowledge no geographical claims
What best for the United States is best for me, aud
IN that spirit alone shall pursue the discussion.
We are war with Mexico, brought on BY her in
justice. Before peace established, have right
10 require of her u reasonable Indemnity, either pc
cunIary territorial, both, for the injuries we
have sustained Such compensation just itself,
and strict accordance with the uSages of nations
One memorable proof Of this passed IN our own times.
When the allies entered ars, after the overthrow Of
Napoleon. they compelled the French government TO
pay them an Indemnity of 300 900 900 of francs,
equa to 800 00OU Of dollars In the condition of
Mexico. there j. disposition in thu country ask
It her any unreasonable sacrifice. On the contrary,
the wish everywhere prevalent, and am sure the
government participate II, that should demand
less than entitled 10. No proposes rigid
standard by which the indemnity shall be measured.
But there are certain territorial acquisitions which
important Us. and whose cannot inJure
Mexico. she never hold them permanently. We
willing, after settling the indemnify satisfactorily
10 pay for the excess IN money. lie senator from
South Carolina has stated the proposition very dis
incty, any excess on our part we are willing to
meet. ought, by the necessary payment 10 Mex
leo"
information received by the President during the
last of Congress- induced hun believe, that
If an appropr IatIon for this purpose made. the
difficulties between the two countries might be
Terminated by amicable arrangement. A PROPOSE
ton for that purpose submitted 10 u, secret
session, debated and approved by this Senate. 1t was
then introduced into the Legislature with open doors.
passed the House Of Representatives. aud came to Us
Here discussed until the stroke OF the clock,
when the hand on the dial struck lis funeral knel-
In his message the of this Congress,
the President renewed his suggestion, and the whOe
matter Is now before Such It's history.
1t is now objected TO immoral proposition, a
kind Of bribery either OF the government OF Mexico,
of It's commanding general; and the honorable
senator from Maryland, VINO - now IN his seat, SAID
enphatcs lly and s)lemny, that this PROJECT o ter
mlnaing the war by d,rnemberlng u sister republic
revolving my moral sense Of propriety honor
and Justice, that should see my arms palslcd by my
SIDE rather than agree To It," The ''dsrnemberment
Of which the honorable member speaks l. previously
defined by himself That is the term he gives the
acquisition, but call 1t purchase He says the money
will 90 10 Santa Anna and pay the army, which VIII
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 hand
Of their tyrants-"
Now. SIR there IS such proposition, as | under
stand IL or any thing like IT. The object o. the
President has been distinctly stated by himself IL Is
to have the money ready, aud If satisfactory treaty
signed and ratified. iheI tc make payment into
The treasury of Mexico, which will be disposed OF by
:e government % that country agreeably TO lis Owl
laws. The propositions, both at the last session O
Congress a-pd this. were identical.
The whole proposition results from the peculiar
condition of Mexico. Her government IS eplemeral
at members are bora IN the morning, ana DE IN 'ht
evening Administrations succeed one another, Ike
the scenes Of theatre rather than the events of life
and still less of tie life of the nation. TIN
rulers do not dare 10 do Justice IN such as this
II might cost them their places, TO which they ho
on as tcnacou,ly though their tenure were secnr
one. There a strong excitement IN that countr,
against US. Nothing shows more distinctly than Tn
scene which lately passed there, when their Presiden
rwore that the nation would never yield one inch o
It's territory make peace with the invader TIL bI
foot was of It's soil. dangerous resolution to b
thus publicly proclaimed, and one more easily pro
claimed than kept. The sublime and the ridcuiou
may SO easily touch, that nations should be chary
such exhibitions which may belong to the domain @
of the other subsequent circumstances STAN
their character. Whatever Judgment. however, his
tory may pronounce upon this ceremony III Mexico
3