Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-22


military officers who engaged in the war and are ac
quained with The country in which the war is carried on on
this great question: it is treated as though it State
cre and not permitted 10 appeal TO the Executive de-
partment for information, communications received from
these officers This Is most strange and unaccountable We
subjected to Of trial by the ordeal here and made 10
walk blndfod over burning red-hol iron We want light to
guide We want all the information that the Government
possesses, and are not entitled 10 il Talk about secrets
and the Importance Of keeping secrets S this has very
diplomatic sound there is nnkng Of wisdom in this sort
of governmental Of keeping secrets We carry on
by keeping secrets No SIR The world has long
to regard secrets according 10 their value There
secrets but those not worth keeping in this world
and the whole idea of keeping secrets of mystery with
which little Governments surround themselves for the purpose
Of obtaining cooringa complcxional dignity There is no
worth in them.
The Peope-Congrcss- right to know every thing
concerning the projects Of the Government and the purposes
Of this warevery thing Of the least Importance You NAV
keep things of consequence. If you employ an
agent or spy, mercenary, keep his secret in
Gods name, you have such in your employ; if
the information relates to public aiialrs-io any thing which
the people Of the United States any public political
aspect and point Of vew they have right know H. They
have up department of this Government for the purpose
of keeping knowledge, wisdom, and information from
them. know there limits prescribed by prudence and
all will recognise them when made But this is
the stereotyped argument employed every application for
information: ssOh there some things which every Gov
eminent must keep secret and therefore the Government
keep every thing secrc. The gentleman is willing 10
enghen with his information but lie does want TO
tighten the Mexcans. What an argument Enlghen the
Mexcans-gve information to encnies-when we our
selves walking in darkness here, knowing what
own unctonaries think ought 10 do 70 refuse give
to us and say that they refuse out of kindness and charity
to US, lest should operate information to the Mexcns,
when the very gentleman who makes use Of this argument
pocams that he wants distinctly understood that he for
conquering Mexico What other secrets can you have
What secret will the gentlemen pretend to have Does
depend upon secrets Is that the way
the war; facilitate the prosecution Of the Our
NV oil
enough work pleasure, be what may The general
orders issued in the heart of Mexico tell them that intend
to take and occupy San Luis Pofoha intend pos
session OF Iacaecas and that that phantom OF Government
is allowed sit longer Qusrcaro, it simply by toer
alton Of it, What is the secret That you intend go by
this that road Where il the mighty secret in that
where is the secesy saying that you take possession
of their roads in Mexico which the gentleman TO
think exceedingly important the of your military
operations He himself has given the Mcxicans all nforma
ton about it, They have all the information that he has been
pleased to communicate 10 u.s. But what has Gen Scott
Gen. Taylor communicated to Government the
most proper course to be pursued That is what
know 1t is all idle to talk Of keeping lest Mexico
should know them.
The gentleman from Michigan is think, making consider
able. progress this subject understood him to say, when
the resolutions of the Senator from South Carolina against
destroying the nationality Of Mexico before the Senate
that they presented proposition with which every
agree phe other day he thought might swallow Mexico
whole and not be the for it. Now he says and wishes
distinctly TO be understood that he goes for the conquest
the entire total Mexico. think then, that he
making progress. He tells what do with
Mexco-swallow herr be said, whole That would,
Think make very mshapen sort of Republic if wccoud
perform that operation. But wang for peace
Well Mr. President il me that have, said,
already conquered Mexico. Where is her army Where
her treasure Where any Of the material Of with which
she could contend against She is poweress and disam
ed and stands unesstng before you, and you talk of keep
ing secrets from her OF keeping secrets from lest this
down-rodden Republic shall have light shed upon her
mind the further proceedings which intend adopt
in relation TO the prosecution OF this THIS argument
cannot satisfy the Senate the country ought
satisfy the country You have got peace in effect
Mexico is at this moment your feet and subject
dcaton The general orders from your commander issued
to your armies show that he is intending spread them
that country making them sort Of armed collectors Of
venue That to be the employment which now
mains for your armed forces in Mexico Is she not conquer
ed when she has army ef-no government leh--no
teria of war-no money-no credit When nation is thus
depressed and dsamed what wanting 10 her conquest and
suhjugaton She is conquered sir and every body will
acknowledge il in six weeks from this time, verify be-
eve And this war and this country and this peace will
become proper subject for the Legislative department
hope TO that question speedily, and then will
depend upon the wisdom and discretion Of Congress what
terms and in what it's be determined whether
Congress will declare that shall swallow Mexico WHOLE in
the gu alive but strong language Of the honorable Senator
what else shall do /; what member Of her we
shall swalow--whether leg, arm the head in
what shall address ourselves the species of
cannbasm prescribed to the American people All this we
in what do. This however, going beyond the
question, and have been led into these remarks by those to
which attempting to reply The question is obtain
ing from the President of the United States that information
which is necessary for intelligent action. Is this
shut these Departments and restore the ancient time when
diplomacy dwelt in darkness when the of State
were TO be kept within the inter penetraGa Of the temple
where the people with unclean feet hal right go where
the people had right TO medde with the mysteries of
State These passed by and hope and trust that
the Senate will find no sort Of objection the passage Of this
resolution If the gentleman DESIRES the clause allowing the
If there be any little secret spot any plague spot in al the
only what is useful to That all that is wanted that
wiling need not say conference.-the honorable Senator is
the President hope may be allowed to inerogate him.
and that may have this information.
Observe how this thing operates Amongst the information
that communicated to the honorable Senator HIMSELF and
contrary to all legal rules Of documentary evidence to read
only part. We have right to the whole Is the light to
be measured out in this way Ia portion given 10 mem
Der and portion to another, whilst those who blessed
with the full blaze of day have the whole of the
great body Of being e to wonder in ignorance Of those
great subjects which demand solemn consideration
and responsible action II cannot be so, sir. The gentle
man, if understand agh has read an extract from let
committee it may be condcd TO the Senate either in conf
capousness upon this subject and not the slightest personal
The nr al. L..o