Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-01-21

and her institutions look to the liberty oil tns cou
try and nothing else Mr. President, il we but pre-
serve Our liberty by proper course OF moderauon'
acting Justly towards our neighbor, and wisely III re-
gard to ourscves--if we remain quiet resting III iue
and nnsterly inactivity, and let destinics WORK OUT
their own results We shnll do more tor liberty, no'
only for ourselves but for the example OF mankind
that can be done by thousand victories.
Sir. find am becoming old (; almost teel tnat
live among strangers. II have EXPIRE scd anylihhg
that is uncongenia 10 the feelings OF this body put
down proceeding from the old associations oil hr,y
me. Sir, this is not the first time that have taken
my stand against When Gen: Jackso recon-
mcudcd ettcIso lnarquc and rcprlsa against ftance'
arose alone in the Senate aud demonstrated ashii's,
such injustice. And III point Of fact the Treaty when
was subsequently concluded with France, was ratified
with the express understanding, which was known 10
our government when the Treaty was formed, mat II
would require n vote OF the Chambers ON the part OF
France to sustain it, as ii would require vote TO sus
tain i, the part OF this country and that they were
no further Responsible than to their best efforts TO
obtain that vote. And yet. though it was acknoWi-
edged that the Executive OF France had done al n ms
power to obtain the vote, we were nearly pushed mo
q war. Nothing but the intcrposton OF Great Dfihn
prcvcntcdu. As for myself. standing on tins sue OF
the Chamber, | raised my voice singy against It,
Mr. President, in my opinion all parties are interest
ed in giving this matter the only direction nt can De
given TO it with any prospect OF favorable result
Let me say to the friends ot the ADMINISTRATOR II
you 90 and some accident does not meet you'll
you 90 on in the prosecution OF this war from year 10
wear. Won will find that it will overthrow YOU DO
you not that as far as the internal affairs OF the
government concerned, you are reversing the poll
CIV OF which you have heretofore procssed to be the
advocates What party has been opposed to the re-
creation of a great national debt ,-'lhc Democratic
or Republican party Well, SIR this war is involving
you in greater debt than the opposite party could
have done perhaps, in any circumstances short o. war
This very compaign which you look upon so lightly
will be almost as great charge upon the county as
the debt of the Revolution. What party has always
been against the extension OF the patronage OF the
Executive Well, sir, you are doing more towards
the extension OF that patronage and above all towards
the continuance OF that cxcrslon than has ever been
done under our government. Well, sir, what party
processes to be most in favor of metallic currency
And do you not that as your Treasury Notes ana
Stocks accumulate, you are in danger OF being plunged
, again into the paper system to the utmost extent
VIVA, party has always been in favor OF Free Trade
Do yoi not that 10y accommodating charges ana bur-
dens upon the people by the debts which have now
been contracted that You never will during your time
have an opportunity OF making any considerable re-
ducton in the Tariff!
Sir know what is a the bottom of the course o
pocy which is recommended to be pursued 1t is tina
i pride of opinion to which we are all subject. Nc
doub, it thought that that course OF policy woult
lead To the consequences which were commended Tor
hut il has not But SIR, the alternative is pressing
You will have but the choice between that and worse
n in my opinion. |, is magnanimous and honorable Il
retract when course OF policy which has been pnr
sued turns ont to be wrong 1t would do great credl
J.. to the party in power to act now precisely as thcl
!, would have acted if they had all the lights OF eXe
o rlcnce at the commencement OF tins war which the!
now have. 1t would be doing high act OF patriotism
"
= good oi the country.
n Now let me say that in asserting that defensiv
II line the only alternative to the plan recommended
| by the President, have put ont OF the question tn
course which most OF you MISUNDERSTANDING no ndcn
l. nifty OF territory; because believe that the voice
the country has decided irrcvocably against it an
c that to keep it as the alternative would but rende
I, more ceran the adoption OF the policy recommends
g by the Executive, and in consequence the conquest
r. the whole country Let me say further, to my friend
il on the other side of the Chamber, for regard them
II without permitting our personal feelings to be acc,
l., cd)--hat they have contributed by their course t
!. give the public opinion that strong and fixed deter
Il, Inna,ion, not to terminate the without suit
,c able Indemnity. do not alludc to your voting o
/. the bill recognizing the existence OF war between til
n republic OF Mexico and the United States. No oil,
N knows better than myself that you voted for the hi
with the view OF furnishing immediate relief TO Gel
mr. Taylor and his army-and not in reference to the
p THAT you even protested and demonstrated again
l., that interpretation being put upon your vote. Bl
60 after the bill passed. and the war was authorized, mo-
OF you have continued to vote appropriations to pre-
al secne the war with the object expressed Of ncqur
m territory as an indemnity. Now, must say, cannt
m see how the two can ic reconc,d-how your vote
Of acquire territory can be justified and AT thu shine tim
your opposition to the acquisition OF territory as NEAR
n OF indemnify when il Is acknowledged on all side
al that that Is the only means by which 1t can /
,e acquired. The people will find it hard to believe h
1t was necessary TO vote so much money tor the pu
~ pose o getting territory Tor indemnity, which you II
re tend Ia throw away when you get it But whatev,
& may he the causes which have led 10 this state OF pull
~ lie opinion, it has beyond all doubt, decided again
g. any conclusion OF this war that does not involve teri
J., toral indemnity extent. Hence, repeat, Il
m alternative whether this shall go and consun
A. A. mate itself is between taking defensive line az
Ia, adopting the pointed out by the Executive, al
~. tina, the decision must bc made now for il il be passt
over until another session, the end will be, dou
-, not the subugaion Of the whole country, thereby il
~, vovng all the difficulties and dangers viii,
' must result from il.
~. Now, have delivered my opinion with that cand
ws and tramkncss which, hope, become my position
II
,iy that con bc supported in these my views, will III
Wy der,ake To raise "A committee to deliberate after col
y sutiug with those officers who fortunately
n this city, upon the best defensive line that can
NV taken II should be fortunately adopted, we mi
.o not get peace immediately. The war may contin
me for some years but will accomplish that ALI npu
@ ant consideration, the cAricntion OF ourselves and Il
"' country from this cntang clement with Mexico.