Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-01-27

Executive, nor can !, with my present views
supPoH Il. The question is now, what shall 4,
done! IL IS great aud difficult question. an,
IS daily becoming more and more difficult
"ha' IS to be donei Sir, that question ougb
"O' W DC lor me to answer. ], who have use,
every efor' ia my power to prevent this war
auu aller INC commencement have done ever,
shlng I'D my power to diminish the evil TO m,
smallest possible amount. But will not shrinl
from any responsibility whether il properly be
longs 10 me or not After saying that canno
support the course recommended by the Execu
h'e' Will proceed to state that which would
propose as the best to be pursued. Well, then
VIII say that there is not the smallest chance Of
our dlseniangling ourselves from the Mexican
concern which threatens US so much--there has
not been in my opinion the smallest chance.
rom the commencement Of the war until this
time, but by taking defensive line. during Iha,
now which the President recommends should be
done hnally alter the conquest and taking in.
demnlty into our hands. To do this depends on
our own vollIlon, and not on the fleeing con.
sent oil Mexico. Sir, If time had been allowed
10 the Senate when the Message Of the Presi.
dent recommending war was before them, il
!Ime had been allowed to the Senate, would
have announced the course of policy which |
thought right, but lime was not permitted. NV
oplnlon was that we should have simply voted
Taylor the means Of defending himself That
ought TO have been done. There then should
nave been solemn report from the proper Com.
mIliee, going into all the circumstances, show.
ing that the republic of Mexico had not vet re.
c0gnzed N ,se hostiIites-recOmmend a pro.
vlslonal army TO bo directed TO a proper point,
wing time 10 the Mexican Congress and Maxi.
can people to have considered whether Ihey
would aVow or dsaynw the attacks upon US; and
II no satisfaction were obtained, not 10 make
war IN this set form, but seize upon the portions
oil the country contiguous and most cunvenient
to us, and then have assumed the defensive line.
These are my views, but unfortunately, we were
oil actIDg here under an urgency without time
TO reflect We were pushed on and told, if you
do not act to-day nothing can be done.
Well now, sir, as 10 where the defensive line
shoU be at the present time, do not presume
TO offer an opinion. suggested n line at the
last session. ! am not prepared 10 say what
would be the proper one al the present time, but
| do say that VIC must vacate the central paris of
Mexico. We must fall back, if you choose to
use that word, or take line that shall cover am.
Pile territory for indemnify.
For my part, | am not for charging Mexico
with the whole expense of the war; but would
take ample territory, and hold il subject to ne.
EQUATION. Now, sir, know it will be said that
tins will be as expensive as the war. think
have said enough 10 show that that cannot be,
that it will fall far short Off; but will not repeat
Ihe argument But admitting it should; admit.
ing that by means concludes the argument; for
The sacrifice Of men would be infinitely less,
ind. what Is more important, you will thereby
'e able TO dIsenIangle yourselves. That is the |
'nIy way by which it can be done. You are
led as II were, to corpse. My object is to get
nd OF II as soon as possible.
look not to Mexico; look to our own conn.
ry aud her institutions. look to the liberty
Of this country and nothing else. Mr.. Presi-
-en' II we but preserve our liberty by proper
course OF moderation, acting Justly towards our
nelghbor, and wisely in regard to ourseves-irI
We remain quiet, resting in idle and mastelly in.
activity, and let our deslinies work out their own
results, we shall do more for liberty, not only
lor ourselves but for the example of mankind,
han can be done by a thousand victories.
Sir, find am becoming DID, | almost feel
hat | 1--we among strangers. If | have any,
hing that is uncongenial to the feelings of this
'ody, put it down as proceeding from the old
Of thirty or thirty-ive wears ago,
VhIch are still cIlnging around me. Sir this is
'ol the first time that have taken my stand a.
JNnst war; When Gen. Jackson recommen.
led letters Of marque and reprisaI against France,
arose alone in tho Senate and demonstrated a.
,oInst such injustice. And, in point of fact,
he Treaty which was subsequently concluded
1lIh France, was ratified with the express un.
erstanding, which was known to our govern.
lent when the Treaty was formed, that il would
pqulre vote of The Chambers on the part of
his country; and that they were no further res.
onsbe than to use their best efforts to obtain
lOt vote. And yet, though it was acknowledge
d that the Executive of France had done all in
is power TO obtain the vote, we were nearly
ushed into war. Nothing but the interposi-
on OF Great Britain prevented it. As for my.
'If standing on this side of the Chamber, raj.
ID my voice sing y against it.
Mr. President, in my opinion all parties are
lteresed in giving this matter the only direc-
on that can be given to it with any prospect of
favorable result. Let me say TO the friends
{ the Administration, fyou go on and some ac-
ldent does not meet you-if you 90 on in the
rosecullon of this war from year, you will find
lat 1t will overthrow you. Do you not see
'a' as lar as the internal affairs oflhe govern.
'en' are concerned, you are reversing the poll. Z
which you have heretofore pro(sssed to be &
lo advocutesi What party has been opposed
the recreation ofa great national debtl-The
Democratic or Republican party! Well, sir,
his war is involving you in u greater debt than
he opposite party could have done, perhaps, in
ny circumstances short of war. This very
omPaign, which you look upon so lightly, will
% almost as great charge upon the country us
he debt of the Revolution. What party has
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