Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-02-03

voting falsehood, and the Executive
arm is para wed by ahe denuncia'ion
of a majority Of this House-a debut
citation powerless but for insult, since
we hear nothing of Impeachment, -, the
only legitimate fruit Of such a denuhci-
alton.
Satisfied, :hen, sir, tina, the war is
just, honorable, and necessary, de
sire, in the second place, TO ascertain
if ii is prosecuted with an honorable
and intelligent purpose. The war
message Of May, 1916, and every sub
sequent annual message and sprtial
message, have all declared tina, the
Wal is prosecuted with the sole objec,
| of conqnering = satisfactory peace; and
these Executive declarations have been
understood the principle of demanding
indemnity, both for the expenses of
the war, and the past injuries and
wrongs inflicted BY Mexico, upon c,i-
gems Of the United States. In view,
then, of these two positions, and the
repeated rejection Of our peaceful over
tues, see no course left to this gov
eminent, but the continued prosecution
of the war, until the potcer that GOV
ems Mexico is subdued; we then die
tate our own terms, and accomplish
our avowed purpose Of conqnering a
peace. thus distinguish, sir, be-
tween the conquest of peace and the
subjuga,ion of a po,cer that governs a
country; and the subjuga:ion and ami
hilation of of the country itself, with
all its institutions and municipal exis-
tence.
Here, sir, arises an interesting in
quiry. Such subjugation Of the po,c-
er that governs Mexico, once accom-
plshed, what indemnity shall be de-
manded? This inquiry must be resolv-
ed before We can wisely apply our war
making power in the further prosecu-
ton Of the war; for, in the enunciation
Of my third proposition, ] have stated,
in terms somewhat comprehensive, the
scope of international indemnity. !
feel constrained, sir, to pass over, with
out consideration, the idea Of simple
pecuniary indemnity, or pecuniary
guarantee of security for the future in
our relations with Mexico. / distrust
utterly all expectation Of ever obtaining
such. So, sir, in regard to mere alb
stract territorial acquisition. | cannot
believe that the mere acquisition of q
portion of the Mexican territory, en-
5racing even the valley of the Rio
Grande, to the whole extent Of terrific
ry comprised east of the Sierra .Madre,
and including new Mexico and Cali
fornia-though somewhat beyond the
recommendation of the President, has
been suggested by very eminent militia
ry au,hori,y-would in itself constitute
a satisfactory indemnity for the war
alone; much less would such an acqui.
sition, IN my judgment, give US security
for the future. Such an acquisition OF
territory, combined with certain fixed
commercial relations, and the occupa
ton Of such point, on the sea-coast, and
in the interior, as would secure their
faithful exercise and enjoyment, might
perhaps satisfy the just demands and
expectations Of a wise American policy.
Nothing short of such result, sir,
would constitute satisfactory peace,
in my judgment. To accomplish this
result the existing government of Mex.
leo must be absolutely subjugated.-
When this crisis is reached, American
statesmen, who may be intrusted with
the administration of government, in
my opinion, will take yet more COM
prehensive view of this question of
indemnify; and rejecting altogether the
idea of territorial acquisition, they
would, perhaps, guarantee to the whole
people o. Mexico republican govern
ment, civil and religious liberty, equal
rights and equalIaws, in their relation of
independent sovereign States, or in any
independent confederate relation they
may desire to assume. None of the
evils incident, or believed TO be Incl
dent, to the decentralization of Mex
leo, could then occur: but, like the 9th,
or inhabitants of the North American
continent. who have been subjuga'ed
by the United States, they will ENJOY
that degree of civilization and indie
pendence for which they may be fitted,
and the free and glorious civilization OF
our people will press onward until it
covers the American continent. The
commercial relations thus secured with
seven or eigh, millions of people, ftom
whom, though a,ircent in terfirory,we
have been almost excluded by the pre-
JUDGES ofan eighth OF len.h Of the Mex
lean nation, in alliance with The arts
and ihtrigues of European traders and
missionaries, would constitute an am
pie, glorious indemnify; while the
liberated millions of Mexico would bless
the sword of the conqueror, and spurn
the rude tlespotism Of the privileged
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