Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-04-07

member from South Carolina has done so
important a service as TO put this question
IN a proper and a clear light before the
community and the Senate and while |
agree, as hare said, in all that he has Ut.
tered on the topics which he has treated I;
that topic which was on my mind and nv
conscience more than all the rest, was a
topic which he did not treat, and in regard
TO which ! fear may not expect-would
to God that could expect his concur
renee. and the strength OF his arm | mean
the object, plain and manifest, original in
the inception of this war, not always ayow-
ed, but always, however, the real object
the creation Of new States ON the southern
border Of the United States, TO be formed
out Of The territory OF Mexico, and the peo-
pie inhabiting the territory OF Mexico. If
alter a service of thirty years in these coun-
els, he would have taken a lead-if his
convictions Of duty, | mean TO say, would
have allowed him TO take a lead and make
a stand for the integrity Of the United States
even with these large recent accessions,
which | am willing to consider are brother
" accessions, that ] have no disposition to
reject, discourage or discounteHance in the
existing circumstances of the case--if,I say,
sir, that at the end Of our common service,
now for thirty years, the honorable member
could have seen his line OF duty to lie in
such a direction that he could have taken a
stand for the integrity OF the United States
-ilese United States, into whose service
he and entered IN early life, with warm
aud equally warm patriotic affections, the
love OF a known country, a defined country,
an American country If he had found it
consistent with his duty TO have taken
such a stand, and | had persisted in sup.
porting him in it, | should feel that I had
persisted in a service eminently connected
with the prosperity and true honor of the
country.
Mr. President, | am obliged to my friend
from Georgia for having taken that view of
some topics in this case. with his usual
clearness and ability, which will relieve me
from the necessity of discussing those sub
lects which he has taken up. | feel, sir,
the great embarrassment which surrounds
me, brought about by those events which
have taken place and been adverted to in
the Senate. II has been stated by the gen.
lleman 10 whom I alluded, MIR Cass1 tina,
~ NANth WIN Aloho luaN u lIGdlN HAS
come hitler from Mexieo-that il has been
acted upon here. and is sent back-that a
member Of this body, occupying an eminent
position in its deliberations aud conduct,
has been sent out as a minister, with full
powers to make explanaiions-ol course,
not explanations Of what was done in Mes
leo, bot explanations Of what was done here.
There has been such a paper here-I al
Jude TO none Of its particulars-although,
following the example Of the honorable
member from Michigan, who says that all
the world knows there is a treaty, | might
say oil the world knows, too, exactly what
the treaty is, for the details are as well
known as the principal fact. l feel, sir, as
! said, a new embarrassment. On the
events that have occurred here within three
weeks. political friends. TO some extent, dif.
Ter and tina, goes nearer 10 my heart than
any dart that political adrersaries could d.
rect.
The war IS odious. Generally speaking,
taking the whole country together, the war
Is odious IN a high degree. The country is
distressed. a treaty has been offered. Ii
has been here, and II has been sent back.
Now, | feel, sir, that there has been mani
tested throughout the country very strong
desire, for the sake of peace, that this
treaty, or any treaty, should be ratified
The business It the country is disorganiz-
ed and distressed. Men know not what TO
calculate upon. The occupations Of life
are embarrassed. The finances Of indivld-
uals, as well as OF the country, are much
deranged the circumstances Of individuals
placing them in great exigency and neces-
sliy Of immediate relief; and there has
come up a strong expression in favor Of any
treaty, on any terms, if it will bring peace.
Now, sir. ] am not for any treaty, on any
terms, though ii bring peace. In my judg-
ment, with entire diiidence therein, and en-
lire Difference to the better judgmen. of 9th
ers, | think that this ndiscriminate demand
of peace in any circumstances and on any
terms, is either an %elfusion of ~ecstatic de-
light at the prospect Of getting rid of an
abominaied war, or else il is the result of a
feeling for which ] have not so much re-
spect-that we are 10 take this, whatever it
may be or | will rather say, that we are to
take whatever may be offered, lest our mas
tiers give US harder terms. Ii is either the
etfuslon OF JOY at the prospect Of putting an
end TO the war, or else that mems resolu-
ton cools.
believe, sir, that the press on all sides,
with very few exceptions perhaps uniting
for Once-haYe for the last three weeks
pressed the Senate, by their daily counseIs
and advice, to take the treaty Whatever il
may be. All these considerations which
seem 10 me 10 spring from the first impulse
aud not from the sober second thought of
the people, appear 10 be designed-l will
not say designed, but calculated, az they
have been calculaled-to press forward the
councils of the Senate and 10 induce these
councils to take any bit Of parchment, or
any bit Of paper which could be called or
concluded TO be q treaty 10 clench il, and
confirm u, with our eyes blind. folded No,
sir; with our eyes dead, sightless as a mar
BILE statue, to all the future.
On these subjects, sir. to the extent TO
which it may be proper for me TO discuss
them, ! wish 10 declare my sentiments, once
Tor all not going hack TO the origin of the
war not re-examining orders Of the Exec
utiye not pausing to consider. as my hon
orable friend from Georgia has done, the
vaTlOus STAGES in the nFooress nf the cam