The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-04-01
Ten isegi..cn, s,ll-se.a,r, MARCH s.,n.

On motion of Mr.. Cas-, the prior orders
oil the day were postponed, and the ten regi-
meni bill taken up, the question being taken
on Its passage.
Mr.. Berrlen addressed the Senate. The
facts on the question which he proposed to
discuss he should collect from the Pfesi-
dents message, and from the declarations Of
Senators on this floor.
The proposed object Of this bill was to
force from Mexico treaty, by which she
should cede to the United States two Of the
sovereign States Of that territory. From the
free will OF Alexieo, no such ceSsion could
be obtained, and the spectacle was present
ed to the world OF an attempt on our part to
wrest nom her 10y coercion that which she
would not consent To yield under any other
circumstances. Must they sit in silence
here, and INCREASINGLY submit 10 suc1 an
act OF injustice toward Mexicol He could
not sit silently, with the feelings he enter
tained, aud witness the passage Of this
ball. ..f
For the first time in the history Of the
country we were conquerors in a war of az
erosion. And We are celebrating on the
spoils-on the distribution Of her Territory.
We avow respect for the ri.hts Of Others,
and yet our presses TEEN, and our streets
resound with discussion as 90 what is to be
the inevitable result Of the onward progress
Of conquest on this continent Ii is said
that the accomplishment Of our purpose is
necessary TO the honor Of the country. He
thought the honor of the nation was safe in
the keeping Of 20,000,0O0 Of people,
Much has been said Of the merits Of this
war to the military glory of the country.
He thought that our military renOwn was
coeval with The declaration olour independ-
ence, and had been fully established in our
contest since, with one OF the most powerful
nation, on earth. He could not believe that
the people Of these United States would
consent to an extention of our territory at
the expense Of justice. But that was a
question IN the process OF solution.
We have no pre-existing object, stated in
the course Of the discussion ON this bill,
which gives the right to the indemnity
required OF Mexico. The. mere fact Of the
possession Of physical power, unless pre-
vious claim be acknowledged, gives no
right to indemnity.
Ii tins war was commenced for the en-
forcement OF pre-existing right, then we
were entitled to indemnity; but if the war
was commenced by us without the exist
ence Of any such pre-existing right, then We
had no claim upon Mexico. This declar-
alton led him to an examination OF the
Texan boundIy question, and the instruc-
tons to Gen. Taylor to march from the
Nueces TO the Rio Grande.
He would not accuse the President Of a
design to involve the country in war, by
that order, but he wondered at the want Of
Judgment and discretion which be had thus
exhibited, and at his neglect to terminate
the war after the capture Of Monterey, and
the conclusion Of the armistice by General
Taylor. From that time onward it had
been absolutely war Of aggression, simply
a war Of conquest. The march from Vera
Cruz TO Mexico was prolessedly war To
conquer peace" yet the cessation OF hos
tili.ies after the battle OF Monterey, was, on
the part Of Mexico, with view TO the con
clusion Of peace. The war on our par
had been, therefore, clearly one OF conquest
for which We have no right whatever 10 in
demnity.
He commended that Congress had no nigh
to do what this bill proposes that Mexic'
had no power to do what is required OF her
to transfer to us the soil Of two sovere'g
States, and it was inconsistent with tn
; principles protested by free people, to &C
8 ercs Mexico into an act which she Ia