Tri-weekly journal., 1848-01-15
SOUND VIEWS.

ernacle on the evening of the Both Hon.
Caleb b. Smith, M. C. from Indians, made
powerful speech, from which we take the fol-
lowing extracts:
"The President, in his Message, repudiates
the prosecution of the war for purposes of con-
quest. he desires to prosecute il for indemni-
ty Mexico owes our merchants about 50 600
600, as the President has estimated it. We
have been engaged in this war two years, ex-
pended Sl00,000,000, and sacrificed thousands
of valuable lives to recover indemnity for 3d.
100000; and now, after all this sacrifice, the
prospect of indemnity is as far removed as ev-
| er. This prosecution of the war for indemni-
ty is the most contemplate humbug that was
ever attempted to be palmed off upon the peo-
pie. Indemnity had nothing to do with the
commencement of this war, or its prosecution,
and il presents no reason why it should not be
brought TO a speedy close. 1t will not stand
in the way of peace .one moment Mexico
would expend more in one month"; in defending
herself against our arms, than all these indem-
mites amount to. But again: the advocates for
continuing the war tell you the honor of the
country is at stake. In what does the honor OF
the country consist? The highest honor of
country consists in DOING RIGHT. (Great
cheering.)
No nation can expect to exalt itself in the
eyes of the civilized world, which is stan,rd
with fraud and injustice. But the President
tells you, in his last Me ssage, that we must
have California and New Mexico, and that we
must prosecute the war vigorously till Mexico
yields to our terms. Now this is the thing for
which the war is prosecuted, disguise 1t as they
may; and 1t will be prosecuted for no other OBJ
ject till the strong arm of the people shall in
terpose between the President and its further
prosecution. (Cheers.) Let us look at this
for one moment. Suppose we could get one
half Of California and the whole of New Mexi-
co. Would il be of any advantage to us? /
believe every foot of land we wrest from Mex
leo will be curse to this people and their de-
scendants. believe every province we may
tear from that distracted country is only bring
ing discord and disunion among us, and is pill
! ing up for our children evils over which they
will mourn when we are gone. What want
we of that counry? Every individual who has
been there describes il as a barren, desolate
country, inca pable of sustaining any other pop
ulation than the half civilized hordes who now
inhabitit. Taking this country for indemnity
reminds me of Yankee story once heard.
A certain man becoming deeply involved in
debt, concluded to turn bankrupt, after which,
being obliged to turn his hand to something
for living he thought he might make a good
speculation by catching rattlesnakes and tam
ing them. After several attempts he succeed
ed in catching six attlesnakes. He secured them
in a cage and commenced training them. AT
ter some time, creditor called upon him for
the payment of debt. Said he, "my dear fell
/ low, every thing | have is six rattlesnakes."
'Well," said the creditor, .,s'since you have
nothing else, ! must have three of them snakes
to liquidate my demand" Now Mexico owes
US $4,000, 000.-The country is worth about
as much as the six rattlesnakes, and Mr.. Polk
must have three of them to indemnify us.
! prolonged laughter.) | had rather Mexico
should keep her snakes. There is no portion
of that country that can be made useful 10 US,
except San Francisco and few ports on thu
Pacific; and let us obtain them by fair and hon.
orable negotiation; let us spurn the idea Of OBJ
tanning them by force from Mexico. (Great
applause.)
Mr.. Smith went on 10 say that he was conf
dent that peace might be restored to the coun-
/ try in 30 days, if suitable persons were en-
trusted with the mission. But Mr. Trist was
not the man in whom either the people of Mex
leo or the people of the United States had any
confidence-for the best of all possible reasons
he was a man uHksOa0n TO the people of both
countries. Every man must have anticipated
the result Had he entrusted Gen. Scott or
Gen. Taylor with plenary powers, this war
would have been terminated long before this
time. Let him pursue this course now, and
the war will be ended at once. But he refuses
to do so. He calls upon Congress for $4,000 men
and $50 100000 to prosecute the war. l do
not know what Congress may do. ! can only
answer for myself. I'll stood alone, would
rather see my right arm stricken off than vote
him these men and this money. prolonged
cheering) will be willing to vote any amount
of supplies which may be necessary to sustain
the honor and the independence ofthe country.
Let but foreign foolstep be pressed upon our
soil, and would be willing to drain the re-
sources of this country to the utmost to defend
il against the invaders; but ! am not willing to
vote men and money to enable the President to
carry out his ambitious designs Of dismember-
ing Mexico.
Mr.. Smith here referred to the change that
has taken place in political parties since the
war commenced. At that time there was in
the House majority of rs as incouigible Lo-
cos as he ever met. There were hardly Wings
enough to call for Yeas & Nays. Since the war
commenced, the elections of Representatives
have been held in the different states; and now,
instead of being there in a small minority,
he finds himself associated with a majority
believe that the great heart of the country
is sound in regard to this question of the war.
But. unfortunately, the politicians are timid,
and afraid to speak out their sentiments in