Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-01-20
SOUND VIEWS.

49, ~ AtOh A4Aiu11O, LlidOC q
powerful speech, from which we take the fol-
lowing extracts: a3 s6 A
"The President, in his Message, regulates
the prosecution OF the war for purposes Of CON
quest. He desires to prosecute it for indemni-
Fty. Mexico oweso our merchants about So. OOO-
900, as the President has estimated it.. We
have been engaged in this war two years, ex-
pended 800, 000, 900, and sacrificed thousand
of valuable lives TO recover indemnify for So
100000; and now, after all this sacrifice, the
prospect of indemnity is as far removed as ev-
er. This prosecution of the war for indemni-
kty is the most contemplate humbug that was
ever attempted TO be palmed off upon the peo-
pie. Indemnity had nothing 10 do with the
commencement of this war, or its prosecution,
aud II presents no reason why it should not be
brought TO a speedy close. 1t will not stand
In the way of peace one moment. Mexico
would expend more in one month,in defending
herself against our arms, than all these indem-
mites amount 10. But again: the advocates for
continuing the war tell you the honor of the
country is at stake. In what does the honor of
the country consist? The highest honor of a.
country consists IN DOING RIGHT. (Great
cheeringO
No nation can expect to exalt itself in the
eyes of The civ ilized world, which is stamped
with fraud aud injustice. But the President
tells you, ia bis last Message, that we must
have California aud New Mexico, and that we
must prosecute the war vigorously till Mexiro
yields TO our terms. Now This is the thing for
which the war is prosecuted. disguise it as they
may; and it viii be prosecuted for no other OBJ
ject till the strong arm of the people shall in
terpose between The President and It's further
prosecution. (Cheers.) Let us look at this
for one moment. Suppose we could get one
half of California and The whole of New Mexi-
co. Would ii be OF any advantage to us? |
believe every foot of land we wrest from Mex
leo will be a curse TO this people and their de-
scendants. | believe every province we may
teal ffom that distracted country is only briug-
ing discofd Sod disunion amougu us, and is pill
ing up for our children evils over which they
wilt mourn when we are gone. What want
We of that %counry2 Every individual who has
been there, describes ii as a barren, desolate
c%ounicv, Incapable of susialuing any other pop
~ulation than the half civilized hocdes who now
inhabitit. Taking ibis country for indemnity
reminds me Of Yankee story | once heard.
A ceridin man becoming deeply involved in
debt, concluded 10 turn bankrupt, after which,
being Obliged 10 turn his haod to something
for a living, he thought he might make a good
speculation by catchlDg rdt,lesnakes and lam
ing them. After several attempts be succeed
ed in catching six ratilesnahes. He secured them
IN a cage, and commenced ironing them. AZ
Ter some time, a creditor called upon him for
The payment OF a debt. Said he, .:my dear fell
low, every ihiog | have is six ia .tlesnakes. !"
''Well," said The creditoc, ':since you have
nothing else: | must 10 We three of them sna kes
to liquidate my demand" Now Mexico owes
US S., 1000. 000.-The country is worth about
as much as tbe six rattlesnakes, and Mr.. Poll
- I-- H. =
(Prolouged I6ughier.) / bad rather Mexico
of that country that can be made useful 10 us
except San Francisco aud a few ports on tht
Pacific; and let us obtaia them by fail nd hon.
orable negotiation; let us spurn the idea of OBJ
tanning them by force from Mexico. (Great
applause.) 7l,r
Mr.. Smith went on 10 say that he was cou6
dent that peace might be restored to the coun
try in 80 days, if suitable persons were en-
trusted with the mission. But Mr.. Trist was
not the man in whom either the people of Mex
leo or the people of the United States had any
confidence-for the best of all possible reasons
he was a man ulknoUn to the people of both
countries. Every man must have anticipated
the result. Had he entrusted Gen Scott o.
Gen. Taylor with plenary powers, this wal
would have been terminated long before this
time. Let him pursue this course now, and
the war will be ended at once. But he refuse
to do so. He calls upon Congressfo for $1,000 men
and $50, 200, 900 to prosecute the war. | dc
not know what Congress may do. | can only
answer for myself. III stood alone, | would
rather see my right arm stricken off than vote
him these mel and this money. prolonged
cheering) l will be willing 10 vote any amount
of supplies which may be necessary to sustain
the honor and the independence OF the country.
Let but a foreign footstep be pressed upon ou'
soil, and | would be willing to drain the re-
sources of this country TO The utmost 10 defend
it against the invaders; bot | an not willing &c
vote men and money 10 enable the President to
carry Out his ambitious designs of dlsmember-
ing Mexico. -
MIR. Smith here referred 10 the change that
has taken place in political parties since the
war commenced. At that time there was in
the House a majority of Is as incorrigible Lo-
cos as be ever met. There were hardly Wings
enough 10 call for Yeas & Nays. Since the wan
commenced, The elections of Representatives
have been held 10 the different states; and now.
instead of being there in a small minority.
he finds himself associated with a majority.
believe that the great heart of the country
is sound ia regard to this question of he war
But, unfortunately. The politicians are timld,
and afraid to speak out their sentiments IN
relation TO il, Tor fear that they will not be
supported by their constituents. During the
last session of Congress, l expressed my feelings
freely, and voted against the bills 10 furnish
supplies for the army. When | returned home,
/ found that some of my friends were afraid my
anti-war doctrines would cause my defeat al
the next election, aud advised me TO retire and
let som vigorous prosecution Wing take the
field in my stead. But | had confidence in my
constituents. | told my friends that l inten-
ded to appeal to the people, and if, after a fail
hearing, they decided to reject me, l would
be content to remain at home, / took the
field, and was opposed by the ablest Locofoco
competitor. The war was the exclusive topic
of debate. The result was, the largest Wing
majority ever given in the State.-This proves
that whenever the intelligence and better ma
ture of the PEOPLE are appealed to, the Peace
party will be triumphant.
5
Two STEAMBOATS, BURNED.-A letter in tn:
louisville Courier, dated Baltimore 9th inst.
says:
The steamers Jewess and Walker were total
ly destroyed by fire last night, while lying q al
the wharf of this city. The Jewess belonged
q to the Norfolk line Of nackefS and W. ahou-