Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-04-13
DruOttO TO ]1Olitits, Nous,
BY B. W.&P. G. JOHNSON.

Sir, we arc in possession. by military power,
of New Mexico and California, countries be-
longing hitherto 10 the United States Of Mexico.
/ We are informed by the President that il is his
purpose 10 retain them; 10 consider them as ter
rtories fiji TO be attached, TO these United States
Of America; aud the military operations and de-
signs now before the Senate are intended to en-.
force this claim Of the Executive of the United
States. We are to compel Mexico to agree that
that part Of her dominions called New Mexico,
and that other part called California, shall be
ceded to US. We are now in possession Of
these territories, it is said, and she is TO be CON-
PEELED to yield the tile. This is the precise OBJ
ject of this new army Of thirty thousand men.
1t is the Identical object, sir, in my judgment,
for which the was originally commenced, for
which it has hitherto been prosecuted, and in
lurtherance Of which this treaty is to be used
but as one of the means to bring about the gem
eral resulG that general result depending, after
all, upon our superior power and the necessity
Of submitting TO any terms which we prescribe
to fallen, fallen, fallen hexico
The members composing the other House
the more popular branch of Congress-have all
been elected since, had almost said the fatal,
the remarkable incidents of the 1lth Of May,
1916; and it has passed a resolution affirming
that "the war with Maxico was begun unconsl-
tulionally and unnecessarily by the Executive
Government Of the United Statcs." concur
in that sentiment. hold that TO be the most
recent, authentic expression of the will and the
opinions Of the people Of the United States.-
There is another proposition, not so aulhenlical-
y announced hitherto, but in my iudgmentequal.
lly uue-equally capable Of demonstration; and
that is, that this war was begun, has been con-
tinued, and is now prosecuted, for the great lead
ing purpose Of the acquisition Of new territory,
out of which TO bring new States, with q MeX-
can population, into this our union of the Uni
ted States. lfunavowed at first, this purpose
did not remain unavowed long. However often
it may be said that we did not go 10 war for
conquest-credat Judaeas Apclla!-yet the mo-
ment we get possession flhc territory, it is said
that VIC must retain it and make it our own.-
Now, | think tho original object has not been
f changed. Sir think it still exists in the eyes
of those who originally contemplated it-whc
began the war for it; that it is as attractive tC
them, and from which they have no more de-
, sire 10 avert their eyes now than they had then
or have had at any time since we have compelled
, a treaty of ccssion. We know in our conscien
ces that it is compelled We use it as instru
, ment and an agency, in conjunction with other
> instrumentates and agencies Of a more lormi
dable or destructive character, TO enforce the ac
! quicsccnco Of Mexico in the acquisition by us
= OF new territory to form new Statcs-now Stute,
to be added to this Union. Every intelligon
man knows that there is strong desire in tht
, heart Of the Mexican citizen 10 retain the terri
= tories belonging 10 that republic. We know
that the Mexican people part with their territor,
! if part they must--wih regret, with pangs 0
: sorrow. That we know. Woknow the cessol
is altogether forced; and therefore, because W,
know il must be forced--bocauss we know tha
' whatever the Government, which is our croa
ture, may do or agree to--wc know that the
Mexican people will never accedc TO the terms
of this treaty but through an impulse Of absolute
necessity, and the impression made upon then
+ by absolute irresistible force. Therefore W.
, propose TO overwhclm them with another army
We propose to raise Immediately ten Regiments
t of regular troops and twenty regiments Of vol
t untcer5, and to pour them in and upon the MoXi
0 can people.
Q Now, sir, should be happy to concur, not
= withstanding all this tocsin, and all this cry o
r all the Semproniouses in the land that their voic
: is still for war; should be happy to agree, AM
Il substantially do agree, with the honorabl
= member from South Carolina, that, ahcr all, tn
= war with Mexico is substantially over, thG
d there can be no more fighting. My opinion i
r the present state of things is that the people G
y this country will not sustain this war; The
l. will not 60 10 the expense. They will not fin
l. any grallIication in putting the bayonot to tn
% throat of the Mexican people. For my part
&c hope the ten regiment bill will never become
C law. Three weeks ago should have entertai
d ned that hope with the utmost confidence. L
If vents since have struck me with pain and sh0
l. ken my conviction. Sill hope it will nc
l. pass. And here, dare say, shall be called
l. mexican Whig." man who can stand IL
+ here and say that he hopes that what the Ad
1t minisralion projects for the farther prosecution
l. Of the war against Mexico will not be carrie
'r into effect is san enemy to the country" OF
u what gentlemen would consider the same thing
!, an enemy OF the President Of the United State
e and his administration and his party. lie is
|, "Mexican!" Sir, think very badly of th
e Mexican character, high and low, out and ou
l. but names do not terribly me. Besides, if | al
y asullerer in this respect, if be made the sui
IS oct of reproach by these slipendary presses
ID these hired abusers of the motives of publ
t, men, have the honor on this occasion to be i
l. very respectable company. In the viluperativc
e the accusativc, the dcnunciatary sense of thj
- term, do not know greater Mexican in th
:, body than the honorable member from Mich
1t gan at the head of the Military Committee.
Mr.. Cass. should like the honorable gen
ii llememan to explain what sort Of Mexican
J. am.
IS Mr.. Webster. That is exactly the thing
= now propose to do.
g MIR. Cass. shall be glad to hear the OK
} panaton.
" -" Mr. Webster. In his remarks on this bill i
the Senate, the other day, the honorable gentle
i man told us that his object was to righten MeXi
- cot would touch his humanity to hurt her.