The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-22


which might enable them TO defend the soil of our coun
Try from threatened nvasonl shall leave TO the senator
himself and the country TO determine shall not debate
this point; discussion OF it, as il strikes me would be
wholly prohtless and | too highly gratfed with
nearly all that fell from that distinguished gentleman to
seek controversy with him upon subordinate questions
would rather believe that any apparent inconsistency
IN the views OF the senator from Maryland arose from
haste and dvertenceiTom a natural unwlingness 10
part company altogether with those who have been here
tofore his political associates or from dispositon
sometimes evinced by legal gentlemen to show to those
around with how much skill and a1roness they are able
"to confute, change hands, and still coniue" Instead of
censurng the senator from Maryland for what may have
appeared 10 SAVIOR somewhat OF llbeEly and unfair
ness would prefer saying that whilst the distinguished
speaking, observed the tempestuous excite
ment which he was awakening around him; and dis.
corning counlenances wont To be serene the signs of
rising wrath could not help recurring that of
elemental conflict wildly portrayed by poet OF our
times, when he eNclalms:
"The sky is changed aud such change oh night
And storm, and darkness, We wondous strong yet
lovely IN your strength,
As is the light OF dark eye IN woman, Far along,
From peak to peak the raling crags among
Leaps the live thunder! Not from lone cloud,
Bat every mountain now hath iodnd tongue
Aud Jun, answers from his misty stroud
Back TO the Joyous Alps, who call 10 tim aloud"
And pursuing the description little farther would
beg leave to say OF the senator from Maryland;
" Now where the quick Rhone thus hath cle his way
The ghties oil the Storms hath ta'en his stand
For here not one, bnt many make Their Hay,
And fling their thunderbo't from hand tohand,
Flashing and around OF all the band,
The brightest through these ported bills, hath forked
His lightnings--asIt he did understand,
That IN such gaps as desoation worked,
There The hot shafts should blast whatever therein lurked
Sir, the President has been much complained of in this
discussion Tor having suggested, in his second annual
message that 'aid and comfort had been impaired to
Mexico in this war by few persons in this country who
are exertng Jealous opposition TO the further prosecu
ton OF host,es. | deem this complaint wholly UNI
founded, and will endeayor to demonstrate it to be so.
Sir, in this age of cultivated reason, which may be
emphatically called the age OF moral influences, when
the mind OF man is every day achieving victories,
more brilliant and decisive than the old the
impedments of various kinds which have heretofore OBJ
sructed It's progress along the pathways of know ledge
wher the matured thoughts of gifted and powerful minds
upon subjects both practical and speculative, by
of nnumerabe printed volumes, the newspaper press,
periodicals., literary and scientific, convenient mail
engagements, steamboats, and other vessels of great celer-
ity of motion upon the water, railways and the electric tel
egraph upon the lard are communicated almost with the
rapidly Of lightning from the closets of the learned to the
tolng millions OF all civilized countries under the
when arguments, and statements of facts and the beautiful
embellishments of poetic fancy and the dazzling and
whelmng influence OF inliammatoy eoquence, are con-
stanty finding their way TO the palaces OF the great and
the cottages of the humble, penetrating TOWNS and vii
lagos, and country places, and reaching even the most
retired hooks and corners OF social exsence-dreadfu,
OH dreadful is the responsibility both TO God and man, of
him who perverts truth, propagaes fasehood, So
phstcates for the delusion OF the masses, shows a
reckless disregard OF the consequences likely to be pro-
duced IN the minds and conduct OF others, by what he
either utters public speaker throws upon paper for
more extensive dissemination There ale distinguished
statesmen THIS country whose speeches and letters
read with attention, and known to WELD influence
not inconsderable among all nations where the art of
printing has been introduced and with which we have
heretofore established relations OF commercial inter-
course. Some OF these personages have been at
time members of this body; are, perchance bust
ling and nosy politicians still, who delight in fire.
quenhng the thoroughfares OF social life, and in keep
ns their political friends in remembrance OF their own
peculiar merits But there Is sill another class OF Amer
ican great men whose opinions interesting to the
world: allude now TO the Nesorso Mehusaehs,o par
y few OF whom have etreaed long the calmer
walks of private life; but who still through some dim
loop hole Of "philosophic Teracy' occupy themselves
alternately IN watching the omnous and exciting luctu
atoms OF the stock market in spying the Signs
in the political financial sky and who are heard ever
and anon, to whisper themselves and few infatuated
and interested votares around Them with something per
ner communicated. "Fel'r qut potuu rer.m eognoscere
causds There Others perhaps wiser still, who have
chosen TO bury themselves in rural soudeabsorbed it
may be, in the comfortable and more prmeva business
OF tending herds, and smending fences" raising for
market far other stock" than that which is known
famiarly on Change; who talk eeoqueny of bull,
who every now and then, are seen emerging from
theft dearly -przed places OF repose, in order once
more, If they can, 10 seize the direction of the un
destandings and sensiblles OF their countrymen Some
of these personag es--unmndfu of the example of the
distinguished senator from Massachusetts, who, when
the oregon question was under discussion IN this body,
for some days and perhaps weeks, refused positively 10
enter into the debate then in progress, and finally de-
cared in most emphatic terms, the obligation which he
elt TO be resting his conscience, whilst the title OF his
country to territorial domain undergoing diplomatic
discussion not to breathe single syllable calling that IT,
lie IN quesOn-have not hesitated, in this with
Mexico, when Questions much mere important than
claims to disputed territory pending between the
two countries; when millions of money, and the most
precious blood of the nation, all placed at hazard
upon the issue OF arms when national honor and ndl-
vldual fame were both In condition TO be dangerously
affected by imprudent and miSchlcvous speaking and
acting to arrange, in the most osentalious manner,
for the illumination Of fierce and fetyld harangues
OF their country and commcndaory OF
the enemy; at moment and under such circumstances,
too must have made known to themselves advance,
the material fact that almost their speeches
should be delivered, they would be read in the United
States and thus to dspirit their counymen,
and indspose them, less for the hard service OF
the tented field would circulate in Mexico, and encour
age the enemy TO renewed hoslItes; would be repub
lishe across the Atlantic land come back with rebound
from foreign shores 10 multiply the original effect, both
here and in Mexico These gentlemen could not well
avoid knowing all these things and yet have they been
wholly unmindu OF them. Indeed, few reported
to have grown furious under the just with
which they have been visited Will any man say
that these persons not warning against their own
country that they have not morally speaking, joined
the enemy' Well do we know the opinion and feelings
of noble officers and soldiers this melancholy
subject The speech of he heroic Donphan at St Uous,
last summers the recent statements OF Wynkoop and
Morgan, which have all read in the newspapers have
most damnng proof against these mschie
vous and NEEDLE some haTaDguers and will eventually
consign them and all, if they shall not speedily
hlb satisfactory signs OF genuine repentance to IN
fanny undyng their offences, whilst unatoned for,
are objectionable, either upon earth or in heaven.
Hear what the heroic Colonel Burnet said the other
day in Philadelphia, at dinner given in honor of him.
Gle Colonel BurneO could not refrain from thanking
assembled cor nm m