The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-02

that last extremity must it's power extend There is now
but estate IN this country constituted of the entire
peoples shall we raise another, OF fund holders per
haps the powerful of the two' This sir, no con-
tngency-it is certainty for which must prepare if
we enter into long career Of wars Of conquest which
very successful instances OF empire achieved BY
by people pretending to be free--the Roman and the
British and the apparton OF this moneyed interest pre-
ceded the decline OF the one and possibly pesages the
fall of the other The result of the Roman career was
to raise up two powers IN the Countryside army and the
equities, moneyed class who lived upon the management
and the plumber of the public sc IL they were not so
predominant as the English stockholders, was because
the funding system was then unknown. The struggle of
Cato against the one, vain Chathams impoen
oulburs OF passion against the other They were the
necessary fruit of constant state of war That they
owe their origin in England this cause too notorious
10 require proof; nor will any deny their prodomi
nant importance IN the British system They have not
destroyed the form OF government yet, because
framed upon different principles from ours; il organ
iLsd 70 enable the lew to govern the many and wonder
fully constructed for such end The addition of the
iuhdholders to the governing class increased their
bers and added to their strength, long there
capacity IN the mass to support them both But when
that limit is transcribed, and that portion of the govern
IN, ing party who hold real property and pay taxes find
mat they are called upon to contribute than they
received from public contributions, then will commence
the struggle in which the great body of the people
Poh Dy their dissensions, and change, perhaps, the
whole fabric of their government But does any be-
eve that institutions could exist under the weight
OF taxation to which the British people have been
posed Sir, there is not power enough in this govern
ent to impose and collect such tribute from the great
body of our people
Dir President have drawn some of n Y illustrations
from Roman and British experience, not only because
they furnish the most opposite instances but because
their examples, fear, too familiar and seductive to
the aglnahons OF our statesmen. And yet sir, when
larry analysed, they not worthy of imitation nor
did they produce results equal to the hopes which we
nay nay Justly entertain from pursuing another career
career OF conquest in degree forced upon them
by their position, which made almost necessary for them
either to conquer be conquered No vast and contigu
Gus and unoccupled domain lay before them to people
ana pantNnerce' powerful and hostile neighbos sur
NOR qua they achieve their success without penal
tes Tor which acquisition by conquest could be con-
sdeed compensation by The very extent of Ro-
man dominion produced necessity for organic changes
IN their governments TO preserve the unity of the empire
became necessary extend the privileges of the con-
9ueror to the conquered. The, naughty, Qures were
forced to admit the Spanard and the Gau seats in that
Senate. which it had been long their exclusive privi-
ege to fill the influence of the provinces which their
arms haa su1}aaueq, conquered IN the end the Ro
free and elfgoyernng citizens became mpossble and
they sought equality in what has been well characterized
as the dead level of an oriental desposm Rome the
imperial city, lost all that commands respect in power
and was restricted to the meetrcious influences which
metropolis exercises over court, This was in the
tween the conqueror and the conquered the body polite
exhibit the united power Of both, but its real
strength is the difference between the greater and the
lesser of the hostile clemens If the conquered are ad
mitted to equal privileges with the conquerors, they will
subdue them by influence when their seng 9Th becomes the
greater of the two Ii not admitted to such parirpa
ton they will subdue the conqueror by force when their
political and military power becomes adequate to the task
1t may be said that the British example presents more
encouraging hopes. But would take her conquests
along with her debts if could could we administer
government over such dependencies without change
m our own institutions Considering their whole
effects. political and moral, well commercial on
the great mass OF the British people, an impartial OBJ
server would probably decide that they had little cause
to rejoice over them. Hers is an isolated case in
history For the last two three centuries as com
munity of armed raders she has propagaed commerce
by the sword. AS she gradually loses her CONNER
cal and manufacturing superiority amongst civilized
nations, she forces open markets amidst the infe-
nor races who cannot for centuries if ever hope to-
rival her In such pursuits For the reimbursement of the
expenses of conquest she looks to exclusive privileges
in trade and this monopoly she preserves with the
sword. How this account may stand matter of pc
cuniary profit and loss confess am unable to deter
mine 1t to be eckoned amongst the doubtful problems
in political economy. The armed shepherd, the armed
priest and the armed trader have each swept the earth
in their turns the accounts OF the two first with poster
ty have been settled long SINCE but the last still remains
To be closed How the balance sheet will stand do not
pretend to be able to determne but OF this certain,
that is example for to follow or, independent
ly OF the political consequences of such career, am
convinced that may attain all the commercial advan.
tages OF superiority in the markets of the world by
pursuing the course marked out for by nature and
peacefully extending our limits without violating the
rights OF others or derangng the machinery of o,
government Commercial superiority will belong to
those who are superior in social organization, in cvili
zaon, in the useful arts, in the elements of productive
power, and in the advantages of TO the markets
most valuable to commercial people Such people
peacefully developing under free Institutions and
filling the vast extent of wild country open to our occu
patton from the Atlantic to the Pacific Shore enjoy
that superiority they remain true TO themselves and
their mission. Our mission is not OF arms but of
and every hour of peace rich in golden opportunities
for its accomplishment 1t not to be supposed that
will not be exposed TO occasional wars; and am happy
to believe that we have ample security in the spirit of our
people against the aggressons of others But that spirit
needs spur the dangers that its generous impeuosy
may spurn the wholesome restraints which should mode
rate its course.
Mr. President, | have examined the question of the
true mode in which future progress is to be conduct
ed, because firmly believe that IT subject upon which
the public mind is busy this time Their conclusions
upon this matter will probably determine them to the
objects for which the present is to be waged and
upon that subject fear that there is great and danger
conformity of opinion. Those who believe that the
highest point of grandeur to be reached by
quest incline with more or less distncness of view to
The annexation of all Mexico whilst those who think
as do that we can only become great well free
people by preserving our homogeneous character and
creasing by growth, desire to direct march the
occupied country which possess, and ought to
tent would 60, and further do not want their peo-
pie neither wish to govern them have their aid in
governing ourselves But have many reasons for de.
string to acquire portion of their territory contiguous to
US, which is nearly unoccuped that the influence Of
these people could not be sensiby felt political ee
ment in our system Where that line should co. do not
pretend to determines but the limit beyond which it
ought not to go, fixed in my mind Upon that point my
opinion is made up.
In specifying the acquisition of portion of the