The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-02

OF NEW YORK
In the Senate January &c, ISIS-On the bill reporfed
from the Committee on Military Affairs TO raise for
limited time, an additional military force.
Mr. DIX said:
Mr. PRESIDENT 1t was my wish to address the Senate
the resolutions offered by the senator from South Car
DINA, lMr CALHOUN, and not this bill | sh ould
have preferred to do so. because am always unwilling
to delay action on any relating the war, and
because the resolutions afford wider field for inquiry
and discussion But as the debate has become general
and extended TO almost every topic that can we'll be in
oduced under either the force OF the considerations by
which have been influenced has become so weakened
mat have not thought necessary TO defer longer what
wish to say.
Two leading questions divide and agitae the public
mind IN respect TO the future conduct OF the with
Mexico The first OF these questions is: Shall we with
draw forces from the Mexican territory and leave the
subject OF Indemnity for INJURIES and the adjustment OF
boundary between the two republics TO future negota
ton relying magnanunous course of conduct
our part to produce corresponding feeling the part OF
Mexico? There are other propositions subordinate to
hls which be considered parts of the
raj scheme OF pocy--such as that of Withdrawing from
the Mexican capital and the interior districts and as
Stunning an exterior line of occupation, shall apply to
all these propositions the same arguments, and, IT /
were TO undertake TO distinguish between them, not
that should make any difference in the force of the
application For whether we withdraw from Mexico
altogether or take defensive line which shall include
all the territory intend TO hold permanently ndem
nifty the consequences TO result from it, far they al
feet the question OF peace, would appears to me, be
the same
The second question s-Shall retain the possession
OF the territory have acquired until Mexico shall
sent to make treaty OF peace which shall provide am
pie compensation for the wrongs of which complain,
and settle to satisfaction the boundary in dspute'
Regarding these questions involving the permanent
greatest solctude and though more profoundly
impressed with of the responsibility which belongs
to the solution OF problems of such magnitude and diff
Guilty, my reflections have, nevertheless led me to clear
and settled convection to the which justice and
policy seem to indicate and demand. The first question,
in itself OF the highest Importance, has been answered
ont am
est from the fact that has also been answered the
affirmative by statesman now retired from the busy
scenes OF political life, who, from his talents ex-
perence and public services, Justly commands the
spect OF his counymen, and whose opinions on any sub
ject are entitled to be weighed with candor and
deliberation | have endeavored to attribute to his
opinions, and to those OF others who coincide with
him wholly in part all the importance which belongs
TO Them and to consider them with the Difference due to
the distinguished sources from which they emanate.
believe have done and yet have, after the fullest
reflection, to conclusions totally different from
theirs. believe it would be in the highest degree I'M
just to ourselves, possessing, do, we'll founded
claims Mexico to withdraw forces from her terri
tory altogether; and exceedingly unwise, matter OF
policy, looking to the future pol cal relations OF the
two countries, TO withdraw from 1t partially and assume
line of defence, without treaty of peace On the
rary, in favor OF retaining possession, for the pres
emit OF all we have acquired not as permanent con-
quest but the most effective OF bringing about
what all most earnestly desrea restoration of peace
and will, with the indulgence Of the Senate proceed
to state with az much breVity as the magnitude of the
subject admits my objections to the course suggested by
the first question: and my reasons IN favor OF the course
suggested by the other.
desire. at the outset, to state this proposition, TO the
truth of which, think all will yield their assent: that
no policy which does not carry with reasonable
surance of healing the dissensons dividing the two
tres and of restoring, permanently, amcable relations
between them, ought to receive support We may
differ in opinion and perhaps hopeessly as to the meas
best calculated to produce this result but 1t were
possible for TO come to agreement IN respect to
them the propriety of their adoption could scarcely adj
nit Of controversy This proposition being conceded as
think it will be, il follows, that if the measure proposed
to Withdraw forces from Mexco-be not calculated
to bring about speedy and permanent peace but the
contrary, if it be rather calculated to open field of do
mestc dssension and possibly of external interference
in that distracted country, to be followed in all proba-
bty, by a renewal of active hasities with us, and un-
der circumstances to make us feel severely the loss OF
the advantage which have gained and which it is
proposed voluntarily to surrender them appears to me-
it present claim TO our favorable consideration
shall endeavor to show, before sit down, that the policy
referred to is exposed to all these dangers and evils
| do not propose to enter into an examination OF the
origin of the From the moment the collision took
place between forces and those of Mexico on the
Rio Grande, considered all hope of accommodation,
without full trial OF strength in the field, to be out OF
the question believed the peculiar character OF the
Mexicans would render any such hope Elusive Wheth
er that collision produced in any degree by our own
mistakes; whether the war itself was brought about
by the in which Texas was annexed to the Union
are questions do not propose to discuss now and it
were not late, would submit whether the discussion
could any other purpose but to exhibit divided
councils adversary, and TO inspire him with the
hone obtaining more IHVOfaDe OF ny
tracing his resistance. No one can be less disposed
than myself to abrdge in any degree, the legitimate
boundaries of discussion But am disposed to enter
into such investigation The urgent concern is
to know how the orginatednOt who is respon-
sble for itbu in what manner it can be brought 10 a
spendv and honorable termination whether sup
pose we oght TO retire from the field; whether as ap
pears to me- The eBy hope OF an accommodation lies IN
! firm and determined maintenance OF our position
The probable consequence of an abandonment of the
advantages have gained may be better understood by
seeing what those advantages speak in military
noint of view While addressing the Senate IN February
last on an army bill then under considerations had occa
sion to state that the whole of northern Mexico as far
ael of latitude virtually in possession compre-
bending about wothTds of the territory of that republic,
and about tenth of its inhabitants Our acquisitions
have since been augmented by the reduction OF Vera Cruz
and the castle of San Juan de Uua the capture of Jaapa
Peroe and Pueba, the surrender of the city OF Mex
cn and the occupation of the three States OF Vera Cruz
Puebla and Mexico; with nearly two millions and half
of souls Ii is true our forces have not every
norton of the territory of those States, but their CHEF
towns have been reduced, the military forces which de-
tended them captured dispersed, their civil authorities
chnery of government within the conquered States viz
! tIay transferred to our hands All this has been
achieved with army at period exceeding htteeR
thousand men, and against forces from three TO hye tunes
more numerous than those actually engaged on our side
in every conflict since the fall of Vera Cruz.
! had OCCASION presenting some army petitions
few weeks ago. 10 refer to the brilliant successes ol
which these acquisitions we're made; and VIII nol
trespass on the attention of the Senate by repeating VIVA
| said at that time But cannot forbear To- say tha
there is moral in the contest the effect OF when Is no