Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-04-07

O." On Thursday Of last week, Mr.. WEBSTER,
delivered speech in the Senate on the War
the Treaty, and the policy. or rather the impol-
icy and imminent danger, of the acquisition and
annexation to this Union, Of foreign territory.
1t is universally conceded to be one Of the no.
blest efforts of his great intellect-not inferior
to his celebrated Reply to Hayne, on the Foote
resolutions. in 1880. The mighty Senator is in
the full vigor of his extraordinary powers, and
ready to stand by the Constitution whenever it
is assailed, or its integrity threatened, by multi
fiers or loose constructionists.
We wish we had room for the whole of this
speech. 1t is rich in the lessons of mature po-
li,cal wisdom, and impressive in its warnings
against the unwonted pers that surround us,
as well as scorching in its rebuke of those
demagogues who seek to hide their own inf
deity to the true interests and policy of the Re.
public, by assailing the motives of those who
see no patriotism in unfolding an unjust war
or in charging the boundaries of this already
almost imitless Union, by the conquest of foreign
nations. We give, below, an extract which
exhibits a specimen of the temper and spirit
with which Mr.. WEBSTER dealt with the pre-.
tensions of those who arrogate to themselves all
the credit Of being exclusively Americans. 81
After expressing the hope that the Ten Regi.
ment Bill would not become law, Mr.. WEBSTER
said -
And here | dare say | shall be called by some
" Mexican Wing" The man who can stand up here
and say that he hopes that what the administration
projects, and the further prosecution OF the with
Mexico requires. may not be carried into effect IT,
must be an enemy TO his country, or what gentlemen
have considered the same thing an enemy to the
President of the United States and to his adnisira-
ton and his pary--lie is Mexican. Sir, think
very badly OF the Mexican character, high and low
out and Out, but names do not terrify me. Besides
if have suffered in this respect,-it have rendered
myself subject the reproaches of these stipendiary
presses, these hired abusers of the motives of public
| men, have the honor this occasion to be in very
respectable company. In the vtuperatiye, accuse.
tive, denunciatory sense OF that term. don't know
greater Mexican in this body than the honorable
Senator from Michigan the Chairman Of the Com
mt.ee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Coss-Will the gentleman be good enough to
explain what sort of Mexican am.
Mr. Webster-Thats exactly the thing, sir, that
now propose to do. On the resumption Of the bill in
the Senate the other day the gentleman told that
its principal object was to brighten Mexco,-t would
touch his humanity too much to hurt her He would
irlghten her
Mr.. Cass-Docs the gentleman affirm that said
that
Mr.. Webs,er-Yes twice.
Mr.. Cass-No sir, beg your pardon, did not say
it. did not say it would touch my humanity To hurt
her
Mr. Wcbstcr--Bc so
Mr. Cass--Wil the honorable Senate allow me to
repeat my statement of the object of the bill said
it was two fold, -frsf, that it would enable to pro-.
secuc the war If necessary and second, that 1t would
show Mexico we were prepared to do SO ana thus by
its moral effect would induce her to ratliy the treaty.
Mr.. Webster-The gentleman said that the prin.
cpal object OF the bill TO brighten Mexico and
that this would he more humane than to harm her.
Mr.. Cass-lhats true.
Mr.. Webser--lts true, ii isl
Mr.. Cass--Yes sir.
Mr.. Webster-Very Welt thought as much
Now sir the remarkable characteristic OF that speech,
that which makes it so much Mexican speech
is that the gentleman spoke in the hearing OF Mex
leo as well as in the hearing of this Senate. We are
accused here, because what say is heard by Mex
ico and Mexico derives encouragement from what is
said here. And yet the honorable member comes
forth and tells Mexico that the principal object OF
the bill is to brighten her The words have passed
along the wires-they on the Gull and are float
ing away to Vera Cruz: and when they get there,
they will signify to Mexico that, after ALL ye good
Mexicans, my principal object is to trghten you =
and TO the end that you may not be frightened too
much have given you this indication Of my purpose.
That's kind IN him, certainly.
Mr. President You remember that when Snug the
joiner to enact the iiOn and rage and upon
the stage, he was quite apprehenslve that he might
frghten the Duchess and the ladies' too much-for
there is not he was told fearful wild fowl
than your lion, living, and twere pity ohis life =.
II he should terry the ladies'" And therefore by the
y concluded that the height and fury Of his effort
qua lion, he would show hall his face from out the
lions neck, and himself speak through saying thus,
or to the defect, Ladies, or iair Ladies, you
think ] come hither as a lion. ! am no such thing
am man as other men are II am only Snug, tie
Joiner VI Great laughter.