The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-01
SPEECH OF MIR. DIX,
OF NEW YORK,
10 RAISE an additional Miiitary

% The Senate on the resolutions offered by the Senator
Iom South Carolina, (Mr. CMHoUN0 and not on this
Hi | should have preferred 10 do so, because ! am
always unwilling To delay action on any measure relating
"a the war and because the resolutions Afford wider
field for inquiry and discussion But as The debate has
become general and extended to almost every topic that
can well be introduced under either the force OF the
Ieraions by which have been influenced has become
an weakened that have not thought necessary 10 defer
longer what | wish to say.
Two leading questions divide and agitate the public
mind in respect to the future conduct OF the with
Mexico The first of these questions is, Shall with
draw forces from the Mexican territory, and leave the
subject of indemnity for injuries and the adjustment OF
boundary between the two republics TO future negotiation
relying on magnanImous course OF conduct part
10 produce corresponding feeling the part of Mexico
There are other propositions, subordinate TO this, which
NAV be considered parts OF the same general scheme OF
policy such as that of Withdrawing from the Mexican
capital and the interior districts, and assuming exterior
line of occupation shall apply TO all these propositions
the same arguments and if were to undertake 10 dis
tingush between them am not sure that should make
any difference in the of the application For wheth
er we withdraw from Mexico altogether, or take deen-
sve line which shall include all the territory we intend
10 hold permanently indemnity, the consequences to
result from it, SO far they affect the question of peace,
would, If appears to me, be the same
The second question is, Shall we retain the possession
of the territory have acquired until Mexico shall
sent TO make treaty of peace which shall provide
pie compensation for the wrongs OF which we complain
and settle satisfaction the boundary in dispute
Regarding these questions as involving the permanent
welfare of the country, have considered them with the
greatest solictude; and though never more profoundly
impressed with sense OF the responsibility which be-
longs the solution of problems OF such magnitude and
difficulty, my reflections have, nevertheless led me 10
clear and settled conviction to the course which JUS
tice and policy to indicate and demand The first
question: in itself OF the highest importance, has been
answered airmatively this floor and it derives adj
dona interest from the fact that it has also been
swered in the affirmative by statesman retired from
the busy of political life whO from his talents
experience and public services Justly commands the
spect of his countrymen and whose opinions any sub
lec are entitled to be weighed with candor and delibera
L.,,n ,l,at ,h
to those OF others who coincide with him wholly in
part, all the Importance which belongs TO hem and to
consider them with the Difference due to the distinguish
ed sources from which they emanae. | believe have
done So and yet have, after the fullest reflection
to conclusions totally different from theirs believe
il would be in the highest degree unjust TO ourselves,
possessing, do, well-founded claims on Mex
ico withdraw forces from her territory alto
geher, and exceedingly UNIV Use, as a matter OF policy,
looking to the future political relations of the two
countries TO withdraw from 1t partially, and assume
line of Defence without treaty OF peace. On the con-
rary am in favor of retaining possession, for the pres
ent, OF all we have acquired not as permanent con-
quest but the most effective means OF bringing about
what all most earnestly DESIRE restoration of peace
and will with the indulgence OF the Senate, proceed to
state with much brevy as the magnitude OF the sub
ect admits my objections to the course suggested by the
first question: and my reasons IN favor OF the course sug
gested by the other.
desire, at the outset to state this proposition, to the
truth of which, think, all will yield their assent that
no policy which does not carry with reasonable assu
rance of healing the dissensons dividing the two coun
lries and of restoring, permanently, amicabe relations
between them, ought to receive our support We may
differ opinion and, perhaps, hopelessy, as to the meas
best calculated TO produce this result but II 1t were
possible for to come to an agreement III respect to
them the propriey of their adoption could scarcely ad-
nit of controversy This proposition being conceded, as
think it will be, it follows, that il the measure pro-
posedto withdraw our forces from Mexco-be not cal
culaed to bring about speedy and permanent peace
but, the contrary II be rather calculated to open
field of domestic dssenson, and possibly of external In
reference, that distracted country to be followed in all
n,nk,l htyu nj ~ ftVa
and under circumstances TO make feel severely the
loss of the advantage which have gained, and which
it is proposed voluntarily to surrender-then, 1t appears
me, present claim TO our favorable consldera>
ton. | shall endeavor to show before sit down, that
the policy referred to exposed to all these dangers and
evils.
do not propose to enter into an examination of the
origin of the From the moment the collision took
place between forces and those OF Mexico the Rio
Grande, considered all hope OF an accommodation
the question. believed the peculiar character OF the
Mexicans would render any such hope Elusive Whether
that collision was produced in any degree by our own
mistakes, whether the itself brought about
by the manner in which Texas was annexed to the
Union, are questions do not propose to discuss now;
and if il not too late, would submit whether the
discussion could any other purpose but to EXHIBIT
divided councils 10 adversary, and to inspire hun
with the hope of obtaining favorable terms OF peace
by potactng his resistance No can be less disposed
than myself to abridge, in any degree, the legitimate
boundaries of discussion. But am not disposed 10 enter
into such investigation now. The urgent concern IS
TO know, not how the war originated, not VINO IS re
sponsibe for it, but in what manner it can be brought to
speedy and honorable termnation whether, as some
suppose, ought to retire from the field whether, az
appears to the only hope of an accommodation lies IN
a firm and determined maintenance OF our position.
The probable consequences OF an abandonment OF Inc
advantages have gained may be better understood by
seeing what those advantages are. speak in military
point of view. While addressing the Senate IN February
last an army bill then under consideration had occa
sion to state that the whole of northern Mexico as lar
south the mouth of the Rio Grande and the Goth para
lei of latitude virtually in possession, compre
hending about two thirds OF the territory OF that republic
and about tenth of its inhabitants Our acquisitions
have since been augmented by The reduction OF Vera
Cruz and the Castle of San Juan de Uua, the capture OF
Jalapa Peroe, and Puebla the surender OF the city OF
Mexico and the occupation of the three States oil Vera
Cruz Pueba, and Mexico with nearly two millions and
half OF souls Ii is true, our forces have not oveIrun
every portion of the territory OF those States; but hei
chief towns have been reduced the military forces which
defended them captured DISPERSED their ely auihon-
ties superseded their capital occupied, and the whole ma
chinery Of government within the conquered States VIZ
tualIy transferred to hands All this has been
achieved with army at no one period exceeding nj
teen thousand men, and against forces from three to hve
times more numerous than those actually engaged on our
side, in every conflict since the fall OF Vera Cruz
bad occasion, on presenting some army peiiuohS
few weeks ago, 10 refer TO the brilliant successes by
which these acquisitions made and will not tres
PASS the attention of the Senate by repeating what
SAID at that time But cannot orbear TO say, that there
The reference alluded is contained in the following
l will not de,an the Senate by entering any detailed
review OF these with view enforce the appca
contained in the petition the stenton. hope, how
ever may DE INDUCED ~ saying, in justice 70 those who
bore the that fhe first of Mexico can
not, appears me, be compared with the second
either the obstacles overcome, TO the reauv