The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-04

tor from South Carolina He proposes TO take indemnity
mo our own hands, by occupying portion OF northern OF
central Mexico, and holding II without treaty My re-
marks are only applicable TO the policy of Withdrawing
from Mexico altogether, and leaving the adjustment OF
differences TO future negotiations
Having thus declared myself in favor oil the occupa-
non OF Mexico until she shall consent TO make peace,
deem proper 10 say in connexion with this subject,
that have been uniformly opposed, and that still
opposed to all schemes of conquest for the acquisition OF
territory. In this respect concur in what the sena
tor from South Carolina has said and for nearly the same
reasons. am opposed to all such schemes, because
they would be inconsistent with the avowed objects OF
the war; because they would be incompatible with JUS
tce and sound pocy and because, if successful. they
would be utterly subversve of the fundamental principle
OF our political system, resting 1t does voluntary
association OF free and independent States have been
uniformly favor OF the most energetic the
prosecution OF the war; because believed them most
likely 10 bring II to close In carrying 10 the
enemys capital and occupying his territory can see
nothing inconsistent with the principles OF justice the
usages OF civilized States. In the prosecution s
deraken 10 procure redress OF INJURIES the territories
property OF enemy may be seized for the express purpose
OF compelling HIM 10 do justice More may be tax en- than
would constitute far indemnity for actual injuries, proyl-
Died it be done with the intention of restoring the surplus
when he shall consent to make peace reasonable terms
II Is IN thus spirit and with this intention, that my co-ope
ration has been given to the vigorous prosecution of the
war We have right to insist on fair boundary; we
may exact indemnity for injuries; we may demand in
demnhcaon Tor the expenses OF the war, II please
But here all right ceases; and it, when this is conceded,
we have more on our hands, are bound, every
principle OF law and good conscience, to make restitution
1t is admitted all hands that Mexico is incapable of
indemnifying in money But she may do so BY cedng
territory which is useless her. which she has not
the ability to defend, and which may be useful to us
have always been in favor of acquiring territory just
terms The acquisition of California has always APP
peared to very desirable, account of its ports
the Pacific. have uniformly voted for acquiring it,
when the proposition has come before us. | believe, on
the first OCCASION a minority OF ten or eleven.
My opinion is unchanged Indeed, It is confirmed by
the fact that California has by our military operations
become forever detached from Mexico. II 1t to be
abandoned by us, its forty thousand inhabitants would
undoubtedly establish Independent government for
themselves, and they would maintain it if undsurbed by
foreign interference take the actual condition OF things
as find it, and with desire to fulfil all the OBJ
legations IT devolves on us in spirit OF justice towards
Mexico and towards the people of California,
concur also IN what the honorable senator from
South Carolina has said in relation TO the influence of
war political institutions. No deplore
Il under any circumstances, more than myself lnde-
'pehdeny OF the evils which always brings in its train
there considerations connected with political
organization, and the nature of social progress
which render it douby pernicous in its tendencies The
final success OF the experiment we are making IN free
government may depend, in some degree, on steady
maintenance OF the spirit oil peace IN which political
system had its origin and in which ii has thus far been
administered Great as is our capacity for war, our
whole scheme OF government Is TO it. The great
est possible economy in expenditures the least possible
patronage in the hands of the Executive; the smallest
pecuniay exactons from the people consistent with our
absolute wants; the absence of all demands the pub
lie treasury which call for unusual contributions OF
revenue, promote excessive disbursements; the eX-
empon OF the country from all eygencies which deyove
the Legislative and executive departments of the gov
eminent the exercise of extraordinary powers these
the conditions under which the ends of our political
organization most likely TO be fulfilled Sir, OF
these conditions belong to state OF war. Exlravagant
disbursements; extraordinary contributions OF revenue,
present prospectvepresent, in augmented burdens OF
taxation prospective IN the shape OF loans and anucpa
lions of income, leading ultimately to taxation eXraor-
binary powers summary, and sometimes arbitrarily
exercised these are the inseparable companions OF
war; and they nmca to the very genius OF our So
cal system.
There are considerations, which, in my ulgment,
render with Mexico peculiarly unfortunate, and
which justify all the efforts we have made to bring to
an amcable termination. We are mutually engaged in
carving out this continent the experiment of free
government which in all other ages has proved abortve.
We trying ii under eminenty suspicious circumstan
ces We have strong governments around us, found
ed upon antagonist principles, and adverse in Their
pie and influence to the success of ours We are sns-
tanned by the faculty OF popular representation which
was unknown, at least lmperiectly known, TO the
free States of antiquity, and by force of which have
been enabled to carry out on geographical areas OF indie
finite extent organization which had previously been
deemed applicable only to communities OF limited popula
ton and territory II is NATURAL under these circumstan
ces that the friends OF free government wherever they
to be found, should turn to us as the last hope of
liberal institutions. They look to MS for examples Of
moderation and forbearance in intercourse with for
egn nations-especialy those having forms of govern
ment analogous to our own-and Tor an exemption from
the evil passions which have embroed the countries OF
the Old World and involved Them century after century,
with brief ntermssions, in wars OF ambition and revenge
In asserting the superiority OF our own form OF govern
rnen the strength OF the argument will be weakened If
shall be found exempt than those which are less
popular from strife and contention with neghborng States
Regarding the of ouI institutions affecting deeply
the welfare of and indicating the competency OF
mankind to self.government, have always esteemed it
peculiarly unfortunate that any cause OF alienation should
have existed of sufficient magnitude to induce the two
principal republics of the western hemisphere to turn
their arms against each other. The of liberal gov
eminent is injured and far more deeply injured than it
has been b. the dssenson OF the republics in the southern
portion of the American continent.
These are considerations which it were well for al
ways keep in vlew-in peace, that we may not rush
hastily into war; in that we may spare no honora-
bic effort for a restoration OF peace
There is vet another consideration of kindred char
ac,er While the monarches of Europe are at peace
with each other, and social Improvement advancing
on the continent at least, with unparalleled rapldty, al
most the only wars waglng among neghbonng
the South American republics. desire, much as any
one can these dissensions composed, and to
these republican States the fulhlmen of their
great mission among the nationsthe maintenance of the
principles of political liberty and the cultivation of the
arts of civilization and peace.
In these views concur with the senator from South
Carolina But here | am constrained to separate from
him When we come to practical measures, our paths
lie wide apart.
lis for the very reasons have just stated, that can
moi assent to the policy he proposes believe II cacu
lated TO prolong the war, not to terminate it keep
alive the spirit of luminosity which divides from Mex
leo instead of restoring the friendly relations which
ought to exist between am IN favor, them OF stand
ing as we are And, sir, If she shall refuse to make
we must continue in the occupation of her cap
ta and three fourhs OF her territory, it may be in the
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