The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-01

TO France Our relations with her have usually been oil
the most friendly character From the foundation OF
government there has existed, side, strong feel
ing OF sympathy in her properties and her misorlunes
which temporary interruption of our friendship mas
been able to eradicate There Tor THIS eeng
it would not have been credabe to us as people naa
proved transient sentiment She stood orth al cru,
cal period in contest for independence, anu iendefeu
the most essential service by her co opeauon anu AID
The swords OF washington ana 6a waters and our
plains have been csoned with the generous blood OF
France The names of Rochambeau DE Grasse, and
rEsng identified WIN S Hur k%sr;ean and we
give them TO children as names t DC remembered lot
the gallant deeds of those who bore them 1t Is not sur
r;sinO under such circumstances that IN the survey OF
fhe Eiropean system, should have been accustomed
to regard France the power most likely, in the pro-
gress of events to become the rival OF England the
ocean as she has been the land; and with large
portion of people, If the wish has not been
'parent, ii has at least been companion to the thought
For this reason the declaration of NJ Guizot. was
considered, independently OF all views of right pecu-
liary ungracious and demonstration of feeling total
y Inconsistent with the ancient friendship by which the
two countries have been united. have believed
it be in accordance with the sentiments OF the French
people. And 80 strong has been my reliance their
judgment and feeling that confess have thought il not
unlikely that nteOsition in our affairs so completely
at variance with amicabe relations which ought to be
held sacred might be arrested by decisive nterpo
sition at home against IFS authors
repeat, have spoken in spirit of unkndness either
towards Great Britain or France desire nothing but
friendship with them-cose, cordial constant, mutually
beneficial friendship speak of them historically, as
they exist and exhibit themselves to the eyes OF the CIV
Thus far, l have considered the probable conse-
quences Of retiring from Mexico, they likely to
affect our political relations with her, and possibly with
other States l turn, for single moment only,
to different class of considerations mean consld
erations arising out of claims to indemnity Tor in
the oSsea or wbS Sa
been prosecuted Shall abandon the position we have
taken. and leave this object unaccomplished! Shall we
claims satisfied To do otherwise would be to have
incurred expenditure Of treasure and blood
to no purposeo have prosecuted the till we had the
means OF ndemnying ourselves in our own hands, and
then voluntarily to relnqush them. Such seems
10 utterly rreconcabe either with justice ourselves
Or with sound policy If am not mistaken in the views
have expressed would be an abandonment OF ndem-
nifty without getting rid Of the war; on which we must
now rely to procure it. These considerations do not ap
as
own hands, by occupying portion OF Northern or Cen
trail Mexico and holding it without treaty My remarks
are only applicable to the policy of Withdrawing from
Mexico altogether. and leaving the adjustment of differ
ences to further negotiations.
Having thus declared myself in favor of the occupation
of Mexico until she shall consent to make peace deem
it proper TO say in connection with this subject that
have been uniformly opposed and that am still opposed
to all schemes OF conquest for the acquisition of territory
In this respect concur in what the senator from South
Carolina has said and for nearly the same reasons
am opposed to all such schemes because they would be
inconsistent with the avowed objects of the war; because
they would be incompatible with justice and sound poll
cy; and because, il successful, they would be utterly
subversive of the fundamental principle of political
SYSTEM resting it does voluntary association OF
free and independent States. have been uniformly in
favor OF the energetic in the prosecution
Of the because believed them most likely to bring
it to close. In carrying our arms to the enemys capt.
sistent with the principles Of justice the usages Of
civilized States. In the prosecution OF war under
taken to procure redress OF injuries, the territories
property Of an enemy may be seized for the express
purpose Of compelling him to do justice. More may
be taken than would constitute fair indemnify for
actual injuries provided i be done with the nlen
to make peace on reasonable terms 1t is in this
spirit, and with this intention, that my cooperation
We lave right to insist on fair Boundary W. W. may
exact indemnity for injuries We may demand indemni-
fcaton for the expenses Of the war, if we please But
here all right ceases and it, when this is conceded we
have more on our hands, are bound every princi
pie Of law and good conscience, to make restitution 1t
is admitted on all hands that Mexico is incapable of in
TO territory which useless 10 her which she has
the ability to defend, and which may be useful to u.s.
have always been in favor OF acquiring territory just
terms. The acquisition of California has always appear
cd to me very desirable, account OF its ports the
Pacific have uniformly voted for acquiring it when
the proposition has come before us believe, on the
first occasion, was in minority of ten or eleven. My
opinion is unchanged Indeed. It is confirmed by the fact
that California has, by our military operations, become
doned by U.S. it's forty thousand inhabitants would un-
doubleday establish Independent government for them
selves, and they would maintain it if undsubed by for
egn interference. take the actual condition of things
as find it, and with earnest desire fulfil all the OBJ
legations it devolves US, in spirit of Justice towards
Mexico and towards the people of California
concur, also, in what the honorable senator from
South Carolina has said in relation the influence of
political institutions No man can depore it,
under any circumstances, more than myself Indepen
IDENTIFY OF the evils which always brings in its train
there are considerations connected with political or
ganzatOn and the nature of social progress which
render 1t douby perniclous in its tendencies The final
success oil the experiment making free govern
ment may depend, in some degree, steady mainte
nance OF the spirit of peace, in which political system
had it's origin, and which it has thus far been admins
tered Great as is capacity for whole scheme
OF government ia averse to it, The greatest possible
economy in expenditure the least possible patronage in
the hands OF the Executive; the smallest pecunary ex
actions from the people, consistent with absolute
wants; the absence OF all demands on the public treas
ry which call for unusual contributions of revenue or
promote excessive disbursements; the exemption of the
country from all exgences which devolve on the legis
lave and executive departments of the government the
exercise OF extraordinary powers-these the cond
most likely to be fulfilled Sir none of these con-
dtions belong to state OF Exravagant disburse
mens extraordinary contributions OF revenue, present
prospectivepresent in augmented burdens of taxation
prospective, in the shape of loans and ancpatons of in
come, leading ultimately taxaton extraordinary pow
ers summariy, and sometimes arbitrarily, exercised
these are the nseparable companions of war; and they
are nmlcai to the very genius of our social system
There are considerations which, in my Judgment rem
der war with Mexico peculiarly unfortunate and which
usfy all the efforts we have made to bring ami
cable termination. We mutually engaged in carving
out on this continent the experiment of free government
thQr has -