The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-11


| edition they furnish subscribers for, Cratic
the country . the high bred gentleman, fitted for the
battle whilst he represented the other "men OF low
er grade in society,"" adapted to the mere routine duties
ton me- the honorable gentleman made that dis
tnoton the very basis of his argument IN favor OF the
employment of regulars instead OF volunteers and told
us expressly that The service which remained to be
discharged by our troops in Mexico was oil character
which the "chiyalry" would spun
/ have referred to this mode OF prosecuting the
for the purpose of showing that by it the Executive
intends not peace indemnity for the past security
Tor the future but the entire conquest OF Mexico and the
amin aton OF her nationality He has already more
than half accomplished his purpose The military decree
w,slch have read shows that all power in Mexico po-
ltcal, municipal, and social, exercised by
commanding general. Having overthrown by our arms
every organic form OF government in Mexico,
work upon the elements Of society," and in every
town and village in mans house and upon every
mans property the hand OF our power and felt
This is conquest thorough and entire; il is conquest
that terrific form mentioned by the senator from Mssis
spp Mr. DAvIsl ruin, national ruin, the annihiation
of all organized power to resist the conqueror For what
puspose, then, do you want this new army For no pur
pose that conceive OF but to reduce sublugaed
country TO your possession The senator from South
Carolina used bold and startling figure when he said
Mexico was now corpse NJ. y no . less true n 'nan
the raise hand resist power, nor voice to ask
our mercy. Mexico lies before US mere subject for
brought her to this. There is no more work for the
sword to do Now let the President approach and ope-
rate upon the subject This is his business Cut of an
arm leg; the head, strike at the heart pierce
the vitas Don't be affaid 1t is poor dumb thing;
it neither speak nor strike: But do not pray you,
employ our gallant army IN this mere surgical operation
The Secretary of State, with galvanc battery if made
of gold, give motion enough to the hand to blur
mark treaty of peace and little more pressure upon
the body will force out sounds resembling indemnity and
security.
But 10 drop this ghostly figure. What mean to say
is, that Mexico is reduced to that helpless condition
that and the terms OF peace are within our power
and under sole control and dctaon To this point
now desire to call the attention of the Senate.
All parties here have expressed desire for speedy and
honorable peace The senator iron Arkansas [Mr Sc
vIERl says that there IS no man IN the IRhon more op
posed this than the President himself If all be
and save any further waste of blood or money. All adj
nit that are the conqueriDg power, and as such we
have the right TO dictate the terms of peace This places
upon us the high responsibility of saying PROSTATE foe
What shall be honorable peace ask, then, what do you
mean by honorable peace ourselves being judges! Do
you national honor indicated, national rights sus
ianed, and national security acquired' Or you desire
to continue the for revenge, for conquest and for
spoaton' Il the former be our object, we have OBJ
tahed them all National honor has been fully vindi-
Gated by our gallant army. indemnify we have now in
our possession than justice will permit to
tiona character and in the terrific strength Of our military
power Military glory we are covered all over with 1t,
sufficient for reputation abroad and TOR home consump'
ton for fifty years to come.
In debating terms Of peace to Mexico, must take
not TO ask OF her more than she can give Our JUS
tice as well our humanity torblds such an exacton
cannot ask money in payment Of our claims because
Mexico has not got it to give We should, therefore,
ask Mexico to sell and transfer her people to u.s.
The people her children, and she has not the power,
morally or politically TO transfer them we the right
TO demand them at her hands Upon this government
rests the responsibility of restoring peace or OF pro-
longing the Mexico have but little to say or
do in the matter If nothing but acquisition OF territory
will satisfy our demands W why not Jake IT. ana De- done
her grant that which we have already acquired, and
declared to be permanently ours, and which she has no
power to rescue from our enjoyment! consider the
terms of peace with Mexico no longer question between
her and the United States II has become purely do
nestle question Whether we shall take the whole, part,
or none of Mexico whether we shall dismember her,
and devour parts or swallow her whole, are questions
TO be settled between ourselves.
These are the very questions which entertained
by the executive discussed BY honorable senators here
and which agitae the public mind. Can we agree upon
these questions? Some for territory some for part,
few for the whole The north for Tree; the south south Tor
annihation some for holding her as province others
for annexation to the Union. But Of all these. who
thinks of consulting Mexico to which mode she would
preler 1t is not Mexico who prevents peace upon the
terms demanded by executive 1t the people OF the
United States is the safety of the Union it is the
constitutions which stand in the way to reject that
which Mexico has already yielded TO our arms.
Peace repeat, is under sole control and die
taton Why not then, ask, meet the high responsibility
ties of the occasion, and in the spirit OF Justice and
humanity make peace for ourseves Mexico is at your
mercy you may kill her, or let her live You may
take part all her territory as your interest or your
let him feel your cemency; and the latter shall be as
great as the former the glory OF arms Will be only sur
passed by the enduring glory OF and mercy
Make peace upon any terms you choose you need not
fear loss of national honor. For he who mas power
IN dictate peace to vanqushed foe be disg raced
hv the berali,y of lis terms. Let then, bring this
war to close The country demands IT at our hands.
Our vengeance fully graed, submits to IT, Our honor,
indicated glorious victories without single defeat
calls for it. PROSTATE foe duplicates it, The business
of the people from every field of labor cries for it. The
sefety Of our free institutions commands it. And what,
ask forblds it. Nothing but the false shame of party
inconsistency-lhe cowardice of politicians the lust OF
dominion and that Turk-cry, manifest destiny.
Mr. President in consulting the history OF nations, It
will be found that there epoch IN the existence OF
EACH when temptation presents ITSELF winch, resisted
or Welded TO- the future character OF the nation Tor
good or for evil That temptation is now presented to
This republic 1t is Mexico 1t is a broad and a rich
and-a land of silver and of gold; land without gov
eminent to protect IT, and without people capable OF de-
Tending it, and ii lies before us an easy tempting prey
There is none stay hand to resist the grahca
ton of our ambition. The mystery OF her origin the
story of her former conquest play upon our fancy and
excite our heroic passions Already has the temper
rich treasures of the city beneath. We now stand upon
the high mountain at our feet lie twenty States, with
their cities and townslher temples of religion and paa
of State The tempter whispers in ears, all these
shall be yours, if YOU will fail down and worship the
,od Conquest History stands ready with her pen OF
steel to record determination. Shall we DOW down
to the evil spirit, and fall other nations have tai
len, shall MAINTAIN our virtue ana rise 10
god-like courage and say, "get thee behind me,
Satan" The temptation is mghty-the power to re-
sst only divine know OF no nation, IN ancient