The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-25

strength OF your army there, you will break down tn,
central government and destroy the last vestiges OF
uohainy AS | before observed this may be so,
may not be so; but matter what may be the precise
elect OF remaining in Mexico, in regard 10
ncipal condition, am OF opinion, that we marched
no te country IN order to achieve indemnity Tor The
past and security for the future honoably
Withdraw our troops until obtain them both, the
most unequvocal manner. And though II Is true az
urged by senator the other side of the chamber, thai
we went to war for free trade and sailors rights in 1912
ana came out OF 1t in 1917 without having secured either
notwithstanding the delay OF few months as we now
know, through the nstrumenallty OF the battle oil New
Orleans would have given us all for which we assumed
hoStilles; yet sufficient this mel
anchoy example of national dscredit which should in
duce us now to yield to the triple counsels OF the yet
vivng sages who negotiated tile treaty OF Ghen and
who are at present happily agreed the policy OF get
ting out OF this with Mexico by resignation of all
the objects for which has been heretofore prosecuted
so far even as to strike down national flag again with
out further ceremony, and confess by implication at
least that went to unustfaby, and have spilled
blood and wasted treasure without the appearance
OF decent petence, much less of full justification.
The senator from South Carolina thinks, though, that
our remaining in Mexico may by putting end to Mex
can nationality, eectually prevent reception of in
demnity and security through the medium of treaty of
peace nasmuch as though nation may make war, il
requires two to make peace. Here differ with him
ltrequires two to agree upon peace by treaty
but whether get treaty by remaining in Mexico
not CERTAIN at any rate, OF obtaining practical
pacihcation, accompanied with all have demanded,
and perchance MORE whether Mexico shall have nterme-
dately lost her nationality by failure to retreat
defensive line at great distance from her capital, or
shall have retained it,
| The venerable senator from South Carolina will permit
me to remind HIM OF the fact that he opposed to the
invasion OF Mexico last winter at the point of Vera Cruz
in part at least because he deemed the castle of San
Juan dUlloa mpregnabe, and alone from fear of
destroying Mexican nationality; and this excessive fear
TO the extent OF injury which our nveerate enemy
may happen to receive at hands, consider of
the remarkable events in this age of misdirected
philanthropy and side and mastery inactivity" Let
to the pages OF classical history for a moment
Livy informs that when Scpio Africanus proposed to
the Roman Senate to enter upon his scheme of invading
| Africa, the aged Fabus Maximus-always remarka.
bly, cautious man, and IN whom may well suppose
that the euxon of years had greatly cooled the ervor
and diminished the hopefuness of earlier days-opposed
the scheme most soutly and even nveghed against Sci
po as Tsh visionary, ambitious young man, who was
willing expose his country to unnecessary peril in order
crafty his morbid and eager cravings after military fame
The noble old Roman-for still Roman he was, despite
his fondness for " idle and mastery lnactvity-n at
tempting to couneract the scheme of invasion, spoke of
" the expense of the undertakings not single
harbor open to eet part of the country peace
room anywhere either to stand advance" Well,
Fabius failed IN his attempt to defeat the African exped
ton, greater than Fabius did last winter in regard to
the expedition to the coast OF Mexico, whose complete
success is one OF the most glorious pages OF our
history as nation. Sclpo soourned for few months
Sicily General Scott did at the island of Lebos last
year and finally landed the African coast and strided
rapidly from victory 10 victory, overturning his i'm
peuous several large armies under Syphax and
lasduba and finally prepared to strike fatal blow at
the vals of Carhagnian nationality Now, what would
have been the surprise OF his country, and the regret
of all poseri,y had Fabus Maximus this moment of
exuaiion and hope, exclaimed in the Roman Senate
house. have heard in this debate that he always
bad thought this expedition would end in misfortune
and that must be apparent to all, since Carthage
be therefore unable TO appoint commissioners after a
while to make treaty of peace This melancholy page
in Roman annals has not descended u.s. and the war
with Carthage was ultimately closed on terms that the
Rom | have hpa rd Or hplip
never complained Of There no talk in the Roman
Senate such we have had here now, that to deprive
nifty, would be as bad as highway robbery; and that
treaty OF peace even for that purpose would be
nullty account of its having been extorted by force
than OF the profound lurists the other side
of the chamber have not hesitated to avow.
But the senator from South Carolina takes what he
calls higher ground" and urges that il Mexican nation
atty be extnguished, shall be forced in the end either
fall back to his defensive line, to do what he sup
poses to be much worse-eher to incorporate all Mexico
within our limits, or establish provincial government
there take with the senator at once, as to both
these alternatives deny that, in the he has stated
if it should occur should be forced either to in
corporate Mexico and her whole people, Indians, negroes,
from South Carolina uses that term that should
be compelled to treat her prouince in the Roman
of that term or that, not doing either of these
things, then should be compelled to fall back to
defensive line | will discuss these points fully
after whe but desire at first with great and heart
felt Difference to the senator's excellent memory to set
history, correct understanding of which is, perhaps
material to this branch of the controversy The follow
ing paragraphs of the honorable senator's speech contain
the errors which suppose him to have committed
What is the object of vigorous prosecution Of the
I How ii be successful | but of ma
king it and that is by suppressng all resistance the
OF Mexico overpoweng and dispensing her army and
utterly overthrowng her government But if that should
be donea vigorous prosecution of the should lead
that TesHt how to obtain honorable peace With
whom shall for indemnify for the past and
ty for the future! War may be made by party but il
in Mexico where will be the power of entering nepo
tation and make peace Our very would defeat
the possibility Of making peace.
elm that case the would not end in peace, but in
conquest in negotiation, but in subugation; de
feat repeat the very object aim to accomplish, and
accomplish that which you dsavow be your intention
by destroying the existence of Mexico, overthrow
her nationality and blotting her list
President has earnestly expressed his desire o/do.
|
rhe President is right If the vgQroas prosecution OF
the should be ccessu and contingency on which
Every argument against calling back the army and taking
defensive line will have double force, after having spent
sixty millions OF dollars, and acquired the possession Of the
whole of Mexico and the interests in favor of keeping
The army itself will be largerhosc who live by the ar
the numerous contractors the merchants the suffers the
spectators in land and mines, and all who poting
directly Indirectly by its prosecution will be adverse
retiring and will swell the cry of holding con
quests. They constitute immense body of infu-
who growing rich by what is impoverishng the
rest OF the country.
THAT il would be contrary the genius and character
government and subversive of free popular nsu
ton too clear for argument before body enlightened
the Senate.