Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-29

when resolution was moved by q member Of this body (r
WEsrcoTT directing the Committee Territories to consi-
der as TO the popey of establishing species egsa
tive authority the territories Of the enemy which had
taken into possession the honorable Senator rn Mis-
soun, (Mr BESToS,) who not now in his seat in his
strong denounced in bis place the propositions on the
ground that attributed TO the President Of the United
the assumption that those portions Of Mexico territories
OF The United States This the honorable Senator character
lied a absurlIy.
Mr.. WEsTCOTT. Monstrosity.
Mr.. bADGER. Yes, monsrosiiy But, sir, this year
the tone OF the message materially changed The Pres
dent has got new phrase He says that he is not
carrying on the war for the purpose of conquest but has
never been contemplated by me- object of the war,
make permanent conquest Of the Republic Of Mexico oro
annlhae ner separate existence independent nation
This quite consistent with design of temporarily conquer
ing the Wtoe and permanently conquering part Indeed
he expressly informs that New Mexico and the CALIFORNIA;
should never be surrendered Mexico. Now, il
to me that was the duty the President Of the United States
to have explained Congress from the first what his real pu
pose was If he intended at the last session actually
quer and retain by orceo retan under all circumstances
the territory then acquired from Mexcohe should have
told Congress But he told such thing. On the
ay ne leaves suppose that though these proceedings
seem to look like conquest yet STILL in the Presidential mind
the conquest Of any part Of Mexico his purpose
Now sir distinctly informed that the President Of
opinion that should retain, all hazards New Mexico
and the two CALIFORNIA;.
The next proposition which strikes as being material to
just determination OF the to be pursued in reference
to the bill under the consideration of the Senate is this
that the present plan of the war; announced by the Sece
tay OF the War Department in his communication the Pre-
sden if carried out must esstby lead to the conquest Of
the whole Of Mexico and think may reasonably
cude judging of the future by the past that if this session
Congress shall place in the hands of the President all the
means ne has asked shall at the next session find the
whole OF Mexico entirely and at the mercy Of
troops and shall then have message informing us that
the Pres dent Of opinion that Congress should not consent
under any circumstances surrender any portion Of the
lean Republic. -
Secretary his sreaks tbrea nlans
Why sir there but two in fact if capable of under
standing what seems to be toeaby plain language Human
ingenuity cannot make Of than plans although he
has numerically divided il into three. What they
Our further operations must my opinion be conducted
in one of the three following modes Fst take and hold
indemnity lne to receda from places positions
occupied advance of it. and from all aggressive opera
tons beyond that line second the whole country
and hold all the principal places il by garrsons
and third to retain what possess open the lines of
communication into the INFERIOR and operations to
other important places and the prospect adj
yantages shall Indicate keeping dsposabe force always
dy within approachable limits annoy enemy to seize
supplies enforce contributions and strate his efforts coll
ec means and assemble troops for the purpose proracng
the war"
Well now sir strange that numbers two and three
shall be considered separate and distinct plans The second
is to the whole country and hold all the principal
places in It by establishing garisoDs therein What is the
third TO retain what possess to open commune
cation with the interior, and to take other places according
may enable Does he mean under the Sc
cond plan to take than will enable us to take
S he
proposes to take all the principal places in Mexico and un
der the second of them he proposes keep what we have
got and get all Well, the President has adopted
the third of the plans reported by the Secretary
by him. upon which the is TO be carried on and il il
upon that basis that supplies asked and particularly the
ten regiments proposed be raised by this BILL to assist in
carrying out the operations of this war; accordance with
the views of the Secretary
WE'LL SIR believing do that the necessary consequences
Of furnishing the means which required by this bill will
be to enable the Secretary of War; under the direction Of the
President to make permanent conquest of the whole Of
Mexico, cannot for it, am opposed 10 augmentipp
the forces for such purpose.
How is the conquest Of Mexico TO be effected How is
peace to be brought about under this node prosecuting
war; except by the seizure and subugation of the whole
country cannot vote, sir for any plan by which Mexico
is be conquered and annexed Because the first place.
would be grossly unjust. Ii would in my judgment ac-
cordng to my convictions Of right be high and agrant
wrong for US TO seze upon and incorporate the territories Of
that Republic into our believe it would fix stigma
upon the character OF this people which all successive ages
would not be able to wipe out
No oblivion that thousands years could throw it.
darkness with which the lapse of ages could surround it.
would prevent the agrun enormiy Of such from
being apparent posterty How could future historians
and poets be able 10 relate the tale Of this country dongs in
regard to this ecbe unfortunate, degraded Republic In
VAN would the attempt be made TO close the Of mankind
against the gross injustice Of this procedure, by throwing
around it the msy pretences which patriotism might sug
gesL Sir have the dazzling blaze Of military glory
these operations and behold them in light which
may mead and deceive but when the excitement of the
present day shall have passed away and they shall be looked
at the clear light Of history and their character
by the voice Of TRUTH there will be universal verdict Of
demnaon given by mankind. My deliberate conviction h
that the judgment OF posey, if should consummae
such wrong this, the crimson guilt Of the partition Of Po
land would pale into absolute whiteness in the comparison
The one would be said, act perpetraed by monach
hereditary rulers men born govern, and who had been
taught regard others merely the ministers Of their plea
sure the nstrumcntay Of increasing their power and
in whose behalf might be urged that they only followed the
example Of their predecessors in seeking by whatever means
TO Increase their power but in the other ii would be
declared that the committed by Republican Govern
men based principles Of equal rights, and processing
friendship and good will to all mankind, seeking for national
happiness and national glory in the pursuit Of the peaceful
arts engaged n heestabhmen of justice and tranquility,
and regarding the whole human brethren in blood
entitled to their humanity and consideration. The writers Of
that distant age would find that then, as ever,
"Nor horid prose honeyed lies of rhyme,
Can blazon evil deeds consecrate a crime"
willing that my country should commit this r-
repaabe wrong, and soil herself with this inesceabe stain
am opposed the seizure and annexation Of Mexico be-
il is unwse unjust. know there some who
entertain different opinion but does clear to me
that the accomplishment Of such the ncorpora-
ton Of Mexico whether her people to be introduced into
a community Of rights with TO be held degraded
and conquered they 20 sustain towards
the relation Of the territories have heretofore had
remain in state Of perpetual pupagewhatevcr the mode
and form in which their future condition and character
be esabishedmus inevitably, in the hour Of Its completion
doom the Union to certain destruction.
glad 10 hear the Senator from South Carolina farhest