Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-02-04


absorbing the whole expenditures will be adverse
to retiring, and will swell the cry in favor Of CONT
nuinS and extending the conquest.
lie President talks, slr, 0! taking indemnity into
our hands then but why not take it into our hands
now We arc much nearer indemnity now than
VIC VIII be al the end of the next campaign when
we shall have sixty millions added to the expendi-
lures OF the last forty. What VIII you then have
to indemnify You Nothing bat a Mexican popu-
ia'ion' on whom you impose taxation in all forms
ana Shapes and among which YOU will have 10
MAINTAIN an army Of at least forty thousand men
according to the Senator from Mississippi (Nr.
DaVIs) not very large number, for he saws the
lhhly-uafce thousand men how there are III danger
hat IS no indemnity at all. You will never get
enough IN that way TO meet your expenditures II
WAL all have 10 out OF the pockets of the peo-
pie OF the United States; and after all the talk Of
indemnify, OF pushing on this war vigorously 10
success at the end OF the next campaign, instead OF
indemnity, you VIII have heavy recunary burden
imposed upon the present and succeeding genera
tons.
Sir, we have heard how much glory our country
has acquired in this war, / acknoHl ledge il TO the
iul amount, Mr. President SO far as military glory
Is concerned. he army has done nobIy--chiva-
rously-they have conferred honor OF the country
Tor which | sincerely thank them. Mr. President
believe all our thanks will be confined to our army
50 tar as know in the civilized world, there is no
appreciation OF the conduct OF the civil portion OF
oar power. On the contrary, every where tie dec
Iaraton Is made, that are an ambitious unjust
haEd people, more given 10 war than any people OF
modern times
Whether this be true or not it is not for ne 10
inquire. / am speaking now merely of the reputa-
ton which we bear abroad. Everywhere | believe.
for as much as We have gained in military leputa-
ton abroad regret 10 perceive we have lost IN our
political and civil reputation
Mr.. President, there are some propositions 100
clear for argument; and before such body Us the
Senate should consider it loss of time 70 under
take 70 prove that TO hold Mexico as a subjected
province, would be hostile aud in conflict with our
Tree, popular Institutions and in the end subl ersiye
Of them.
Sir, he who knows the American Constitution
well;-he who has duly studied its characteristic
who has looked at history and knows what has been
the effect OF conquess Oh free States invariably will
require no proof at nv hands show that It ould
be entirely hostile to the institutions Of the country
70 hold Mexico as province There is not an eX-
ample on record OF any free State ever having at
tempted the conquest OF any territory approaching
the extent OF Mexico without disastrous CONSEQUENT
ces. The nations conquered have in time Conquer
ed the conqaerors BY destroying their liberty. That
Will bc our case, sir. The conquest OF Mexico
this Government. that it would absorb the whole
power OF the State, in tie Union. This Union
would become imperial, and the States mere subor-
d.hate corporations
But tie evil viii not cad there Tue process viii
90 on. The same process by which the power
would be transferred from the States 10 the Union
Will transfer the whole from this department Of the
Government q speak OF the LcstsatuIe) TO the
Executive. All the added power and aided patron
1,-bic ,.,tl 4 It
Executive. In the end, you put in the hands of the
Executive the power of conqucrns YOU. You give
10 It, sir SUCH splendor, such ample means with
the principle OF prescription, which unfortunately
prevails III our country, that the struggle will be
greater al every Presidential election th1n our in
situations can possibly endure The end of it will
be that that branch OF the Government will be-
come ail-poweriul, and the result is inevitable
anarchy and dcspatisn. 1t is as certain Is that
am this day addressing the senate
Nh President with these impressions cannot
approve OF the policy recommended By tie EXccu-
tive, nor can |, with my present views, support it,
Inc question IS now, what shall lie done 1t is Il
great and difficult question: and is becoming daily
more and more difficult. What is to be done -
Sir that question ought not to be for me to ans e.;
|, Who have used every effort in my power to pre-
vent this war and after its commencement have
done everything in my power to diminish the evil
10 the smallest possible amount. But | Will not
shrink from any responsibility wAethcrit property
belongs 70 me or not.
loo', not to Mexico; look 10 the liberty, OF
this country and nothing else. Mr. President il
we but preserve our liberty by proper course of
moderation acting justly toward our rsjghbor,
and wisely in regard to oursel,es-if we remain
quiet, resting in idle and mastery inactivity ard
let oar dcStlnies work ont then own results, We
shall DO more Tor liberty. not only for uurscls cs
be but to7 the example OF mankind than can
done by thousand victories
Sir lind am becoming old almost feel that
live among strangers. II / have expressed any
thing that Is uncongcniaI 20 the feelings of this
body, pat It down proceeding from the old
Citations Of thirty or thirty-1,e year: ago, which
still cl.nging around nc. Sir. this IS not the
first time that have taken my stand against war.
When Gen. Jakson recommended letters OF marluc
and reprIsal against France. ] arose alone m the
Senate and demonstrated against such injustice
Aud, in point OF fact the treaty which was sub
scquently concluded with France. was ratified with
the express understanding which was known 10
our Government. when the treaty was formed that
II would require a vote OF the Chambers on the
part Of France to sustain il, and that it would re
quire vote 10 sustain II on the part Of this couu-
NY: dtid mat lutE were no luFtNcF pOnSILfe n
TO use their best efforts to obtain that vote And
yet though it was acknowledged that the Fxecu.
live of France had done all in lis power to obtain
the vote. we were nearly pushed into Il war -
Nothing but the ln'crposlton Of Great Britain pre-
yented il. As for myself, standing on this side o.
the Chamber, | raised my voice sln.ly against it,
Mr. President in my opinion all parties are in
,erested in giving this matter the only direction
that can &c Given to II with any prospect Of Ia
vorabe result. Let me say to the friends Of the
Administration, ii yen 60 on and some accident
does not meet you-if you 20 on in the prosecu-
ton Of this from year to year, you viii find it
will overthrow you.
Do you not see that far as internal afairs Of
the Government are concerned, YOU are reyving
the policy Of which you have heretofore proessed
% he the adyerssrics. What party has been op-
posed 10 the recreation Of great National Debt
The Democratic or Republican party We'll, sir.
this war is involving you 10 greater debt than
the opposite party could have doIe. perhaps in any
circumstances short OF war. This very campaign.
which you look upon 50 lightly. will be almost a.
great charge upon TIE country as The debt OF the
Revolution
VIA. party has always been against The cx:ca-
sion Of the patronage OF fxecutiye7 Well, SIR.
yon are doing more toward the extension Of that
patronage, and above all toward the continuance
Of that extension, than has ever been done under
our Government Well sir, what party profess to
L. - l.. f-- ..I