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

our leading object should be to Introduce bet
ter commercial and financial systems and let them work
out under our protection their legitimate results.
Great qualities necessary IN him who is charged
with the execution of these delicate and responsible func
tons lie should have prudence. selfcontrol, knowl
edge of civil affairs of the country, of the people, and
their character and if possible. their language Eslab
lished Institutions existing usages sometimes preudices
even must be respected Some of the most disastrous
reverses which have befalen armies of occupation have
had their origin in violations OF the prevailing
and feelings of the people; To avoid this fatal error,
everything depends the discretion and wisdom of the
Ii may be that all reasonable expectations will be dis
appointed; that the hostility of Mexico will prove unap-
peasabe that she will prefer the political disorganiza
us If so, circumstances must dictate the course to be
pursued when this conviction shall be forced But
let not adopt such conclusion hastily Let us
rely the influence OF more rational motives to give us
peace.
And now, sir, submit whether this course had not
better be pursued for awhile, II right in supposlng
the temporary occupation of Mexico, under discreet Off
GERS, may lead stable peace rather than to withdraw
forces and leave the adjustment of difficulties to the
uncertain chance of restoration of responsible govern
men to be terminated at last perhaps by the renewed
arbitrament OF arms.
have thus stated with frankness the views entertain
in respect to the future conduct OF the war. Notwth-
standing the anxious consideration have given to the
subject they may be Ii is question OF great
difficulty which mistaken course OF policy may lead
to the most unpleasant consequences Whatever faith
may entertain in the soundness OF the opinions have
advanced, certainly should have more II they were not
totally at variance with those of gentlemen possessing,
from Longer much h higher claims ina man
thought proper to withhold them, knowing, as we do,
that from the very contrarety and conflict OF thought
and conviction, valuable deductions may sometimes be
drawn.
Mr. President feel that have already trespassel too
long the indulgence of the Senate; but am unwilling
to close without asking its attention for very few mo-
ments to some considerations connected with our future
growth and progress and with the influence we must IN
spite of ourselves exert the desnies OF Mexico
They new opinions: they have been expressed
years ago, both in public and private.
Sir who has paid moderate degree OF attention
to the laws and elements OF our increase can doubt that
population is destined to spread itself across the
American continent, filling up, with more or less com
pleeness according to attractions OF soil and climate, the
space that ntervenes between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans This eventual, and, perhaps, in the order OF
time, this not very distant extension OF our settlements
over tract of country, with diameter as we go west
ward greatly dsproporoned to Its length becomes sub
ect of the highest interest to On the whole extent OF
northern flank, from New Brunswick to the point
where the northern boundary OF Oregon touches the Pa
cic, in contact with British coonists having, for
the most part the common origin with ourselves,
but controlled and moulded by political Influences from
the eastern hemisphere i not adverse, certainly not de-
relied on to bind to mutual Offices of friendship and
good neighbohood is that of and this, as we
know, is apt to into rivalry, and sometimes becomes
From our northern boundary we turn 10 our southern
What to border here, what to be their
social and political character, and what their means OF
of latitude apart when pass Texas, to be ianked by
settlements having common bond of union with ours
Our whole southern line is conterminous throughout It's
whole extent, with the territories OF Mexico, large
portion OF which is nearly unpopulated. The gcographl-
cal OF Mexico is about 100000 square miles, and
her population about 100000 souls The whole NORTH
and central portion, taking the twenty sixth parallel
of latitude the dividing line, containing more than
100000 square miles, has about 100000 inhabitants
about two inhabitants to three square miles The south
ern portion with less than 100000 square miles, has
population of nearly six and half millions of souls, or
thirteen inhabitants to square mile. The aboriginal
races, which occupy and 0verrun portion OF California
and New Mexico must there as everywhere else, give
way before the advancing OF civilization, either
to be overwhelmed by it, to be driven upon perpet
ualy contracting areas, where, from dimlnuon OF
their accustomed OF subsistence, they must ult
maely become extinct by force of an invncibe law.
We the operation OF this law in every portion OF this
continent. We have no power to control IT, If we would
1t is the behest of Providence that idcnes. and gno
rance. and barbarsm shall give place to industry and
knowledge and civilization The European and mixed
moral physical energy. to become formidable rivals or
enemies. The bold and courageous enterprise which
and conquered Mexico, appears not to have de-
scended to the present possessos of the SOIL Either from
the influence OF climate or the admlXture OF races-she
fusion OF castles, to use the technical phrase-the con-
querors have, in turn, become the conquered The an
cent Castan energy is IN great degree subsidized ana
it has given place. with many other noble traits OF the
Spanish character TO peculiarly which seems to have
marked the in that country under whatever combl-
nations it is founda proneness TO civil discord, and
suicidal waste OF its own strength
With such territory and such people southern
border, what is to be the inevitable OF empires
needs powers of prophecy to forete Sir desire
speak plainly: why should not, when discuss
ing the operation of moral and physical laws which are
beyond control! AS population westward
own territory portions will cross our southern
boundary. Settlements will be formed within the unoc
cuped and sparsey peoped territory of Mexico Uncon-
genial habits and tastes differences OF political opinion
and principle and numberess other elements of diversity
will lead TO separation of these newly formed societies
from the inefficient government OF Mexico They viii
not endure to be held in subsection to system, which
neither yields them protection offers any incen-
will form Independent States the basis of constl-
utions identical in all their leading features with our
own and they will naturally seek to unite their fortunes
to The fate OF California is already seaed IT can
be reunited to Mexico The operation OF the great
causes to which have alluded must, distant day,
deach the whole of Northern Mexico from the southern
portion OF that republic 1t is for the very that
the elements of disorder within and the progress OF bet
ter influences from without that desire to see the inevi-
table political change which is to be wrought in the con
dltlon OF her northern departments brought about with
out any improper interference part do not speak
OF military movements refer to the time WREN our
difficulties with her shall be healed and when she shall
be left to the operation of pacific nfluences-sen but
that she is defenceless, if for other should be OPP
posed to all schemes of conquest Acquisition by force
is the vice OF arbitrary governments. desire never to
the reproach of For the sake of the national
honor well as the parmanency OF political insltu
tons, desire not to it, The extension of free gov
eminent this continent only be arrested, il ar
rested at all by substituting for the arts of peace
Leave to ITSELF and nothing prevent the progress
of our population the continent Mr. Jefferson, with