Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-06-08
WEEKLY JOURNAL
MR.. EMBREE's spEEUa.

amendment pending to eGfead the grant
70 the Officers and Soldiers of the India:,
s2ers and Me late '0ar Nth Great Rri-
sain
Mr.. EMBREE said;
ar caAIRAs4s: Ian ip fsses of.he amend.
ae9' u lEe-genille!m!9aaR irn,n Mississippi, [Mr.
'a"MPsoN,] and lruss;. that i. will receive The
sahSllon 81 inls committee and the sanction
q e99agFsss. I was preparing one of the
saaIi'A< import al The time he animated bis in
ienhon ts offer the one now under consider
alsa.
All The soldiers of the Mexican war have
already been granted land, except in The case
OF few officers RhO- were promoted after
their enlistment; and we have now before US
four bills 10 grant land to officers thus silua-
ted To this shall nterpose DO objection.
No member Of this House Can feel less dis
pssiilon 10 undervalue the merits OF those
who, al the call of their Government, have as.
sumeei arms in the war with Mexico, what
ever want of confidence may have in the
conduct of those al the head of affairs at
this capital. | will, now and hereafter, dis
tinguish between The want of capacity OF
those who involved Us in the war, and the
gallant men who have so gloriously brough
il to close. These services am prepar-
ed 10 reward, at all times, and On all occas-
ions, while honored with seat on this floor.
While doing so, however, let US not forge
The brave men of other times and other fields
those who, in days long since elapsed,
have covered themselves with glory, and
their country with renown. The officers and
soldiers OF The war of 1912, and the Indian
wars which preceded it, performed services
equally meriiorious and equally deserving OF
reward. We are too APT, Mr.. Chairman, to
forget the old friend, to bask in the sunlight
of some ae,g face bul trust this American
Congress will not set an example so nnwor-
Thy of itself. The recolleclen of The men
oil 1912, and of The pioneers OF western civ
lizaton, forms one o The brightest eras in
lhe history of our country. Were they moi
as brave as oihersa Were they less patriot
ic, devoIed2 What fields of contest wines
sed more noble daring, more unhnch.ng
courage? What epoch was sigma lied by
more selfdenial, hardsbips, and sacrifice =
The Indian wars on our extreme 'front.' rs,
and the triumphant contests from 1912 10
1873, exhibited The highest traits of gallant
ny and the highest devotion to the claims OF
our conmon country. Those wars were
forced upon US: the former ones by the in
discriminate slaughter of the early pioneers
OF civilization, he LATER by tbe IBjuslIce, in
suit, and tapnts of the frsI maritime and mil
nary Power of modern times. We had
sought no contest with the hordes Of savages
which then infested our western borders, nor
yet with the insoienl Power of Britain, whose
flag foaled in every sea end waved over The
baldemepls of a thousand foTfifcaiions.-
These wars were wars Of defence-the de
fence Of border rights and The freedom OF
cOnJnerce-agaiust unlutored barblrIsm and
unjust aggression.
have said, Mr.. Chairman, that the war of
1912 was defensive war, and history SD
writes il upon her pages. II vas war wa
ed against Us by the military Power Of Chris
leaion, ia support of which il was the du'y
% ne whole country 10 unite as one man,
Those who did uniie-ihose who performed
ciual service-those WIG exposed life and
,fnh IN The conflicts Of that period are en-
led 10 recomPease from The abundant full
less OF The nations resources. The war oil
1912 was waged against Powes full OF the
;-'senews" for mighty struggle-a nation
equlpped with navy which had been for
years The scourge of the seas, and an army
commanded by experienced generals, not by
officers furnished her by ''confdentiGl pass
ports" from belligereni as in a recent and
quite notorious case. Our armies, in that war
u addition, had to contend against Toe more
savage and equally brave-ihe 'sallies" OF GU
g5esi igal-and guile as inhumaBe as on
eeseni Mexican foes. With such foes, ant
$40 such odds against Us, the gallant mer
0i iiai day igiumphed most sigually. Then
sctones | need not recount, their exploits
wll-nol Jecapulate. The history of ihes,
achievements is yet fresh in the remembrance
of this people, and have been eloquenlly
portrayed by the gentleman who has just Ia
ken bis seat, IMr. McCLERNAND.] II i
enough for me TO say that our rights, and tht
rights Of all commercial nations, were am
ply vindicated by our gallant army and Ma
w, and that lasting and honorable peace
was the result of their HEROIC deeds. Tha
war and The present one with Mexico, so ia
Us meie military glory is involved, has adde
enough to satisfy any nation, however ambi
iious in The pursuit Of that relowp which fo
lows the contest of aims.
But why is it that some gentlemen are nc
willing that the claims of the soldiers in tn
war with GIeai Biilain should be consdere
gith tIloss of the present war? They say
will creale delay. Indeed, sir! If this oil
isciion is sincere, let them come Up and bel
Us 10 pass all together; and that lime, SO pr,
cious in their sight, will be saved TO The couI
Try in the deliberations Of this House. L.
one bill contain justice TO the present, an
long deferred justice to the men of oth'
times. Why postpone any longer the ju
claims of those fast passing away from III
scenes OF eanh2 Ifyou ever intend to {
anything for the soldiers oflhe Indian an Br
ish wars, nov is the lime 10 do it, after ih
iy-six years Of neglecl and GOODNESS. "
Mr.. Chairman, Ihe opponents OF this amen
ment are sincere, and wish TO save them, !
them give its friends their support, and Il
soldiers Of The past and present will have al
ple Justice done them. fear lheie are re
sons operating against this amendment n
avowed-reasons which will not bear |,