The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-06


taking defensive line doing that now which the Pres
dent recommends should be done finally after the con
quest and taking indemnity into our own hands To do
this depends own volltion and not on the fleeing
consent OF Mexico. Sir, if time had been allowed the
Senate when the of the President recommending
war before hem-if time had been allowed TO the
Senate would have announced the course of policy
which thought right but time not permitted My
opinion was, that should have simply voted Taylor the
means OF defending himself That ought TO have been
done. There then should have been solemn report from
the proper committee, going into all the circumstances,
showing that the republic OF Mexico had not yet recog
nised these hosuIes, recommending provisional army
to be directed TO proper point giving time to the Next
can Congress and Mexican people to have considered
whether they would disavow the attacks upon
us and if satisfaction were obtained, not to make
this set form, but seize upon the portions OF the
country contiguous and most convenient TO us, and then
have assumed the defensive line. These my views
but unfortunately, we were all acting here under an ur
gency without time To reflect. We were pushed on. and
told if you do not act to-day, nothing can be doue
Well, now, sir, to where the defensive line should
be at the present time, do not presume to oller an opn-
ion. suggested line at the last session ] not
prepared to say what would be the proper one at the
ent time but do say that must vacaie the central
parts of Mexico We must fall backif you choose 10
that word-or take line that shall cover ample terri
tory Tor indemnity.
For my part, | am not for charging Mexico with the
whole expense of the war; but would take ample terri
tory and hold it, subject to negotiation. Now, SIR,
know will be said that this will be expensive the
war think have said enough to show that that can
not be-that it will fall far short of it but will not re-
peat the argument But admitting il should admitting
that by concludes the arguments for the sacr
flee of men would be infinitely less, and, what is i'm
poranl, you will thereby be able to disenlange Your
selves That is the only way by which il can be done
You tied at present it were, TO corpse My OBJ
iect is to get rid OF ii as soon as possible
look not to Mexico; look To country and
her institutions look to the liberty of this country, and
nothing else Mr. President, if we but preserve
liberty by proper course OF moderation acting justly
towards neighbour and wisely regard to ourselves
if remain quiet resting in idle and mastery inactivity,
and let destinies work ont their results, shall
do more for liberty not only for ourselves, but for the
example OF mankind, than be done by thousand
victories
Sir, find am becoming old; almost feel that
live among strangers. II have expressed anything that
proceeding from the old associations OF thirty thirty
five years ago, which still clingng around me- Sir,
this is not the first time that have taken my stand
against When Gen. Jackson recommended letters
of marque and reprsal against France arose alone in
the Senate, and demonstrated against such injustice
And in point OF fact the treaty which was subsequently
understanding which known TO government
when the treaty formed that it would require vote
of the Chambers on the part of France to sustain it,
would require vote to sustain IT on the part OF this
country and that they further responsible than
to their best efforts TO obtain that vote. And yet
though was acknowledged that the Executive OF France
had done all in his power 10 obtain the vote, we were
nearly pushed into Nothing but the inerposion
of Great Britain prevented it, As for myself standing
this side of the chamber raised my voice singy against
Mr. President, in my opinion all parties interested
giving this matter the only direction that be given
to it with any prospect of favorable result Let say
to the friends OF the adminlstratonf you go on and
some accident does not meet You; ii you so on IN the
prosecution of this war from year to year, you will find
that it will overthrow you; Do you not see that, as far
as the internal affairs OF the government concerned,
you reversing the policy of which you have hereto
fore proessed to be the advocaes What party has been
opposed to the recreation OF great national debt THE
democratic or republican party. Well, sir this war is
involving you in greater debt than the opposite party
could have DONE perhaps in any circumstances short OF
war This very campaign, which you look upon so
lightly, will be almost great charge upon the country
as the debt of the revolution What party has ways
been against the extension of the patronage OF the Execu
ve' Well, sir, you doing more towards the extern
sion OF that patronage, and above all, towards the con-
tnlance oil that extension, than has ever been done
der government Well, sir, what party Processes
be most in favor of metallic currency? And do you not
see that as your treasury notes and stocks accumulate,
you danger of being plunged again into the paper
system to the utmost extent! What party has always
been in favor of free trade Do you not that by
cumuatng charges and burdens upon the people by the
debts which have been contracted, you will
during your time have an opportunity OF making any
considerable reduction in the tariff
Sir, know what is at the bottom OF the course OF
policy which is recommended to be pursued 1t is that
pride of opinion to which we all subject No doubt
was thought that that of policy would lead to
the consequences which were conended for but 1t has
not But, sir, the alternative is pressing. You will
have but the choice between that and worse in my opn
ion. 1t is magnanimous and honorable to reract when
course OF policy which has been pursued turns out TO
be wrong 1t would do great credit to the party power
to act now precisely as they would have acted II they
had had all the lights OF experience at the commencement
of this war which they now have. 1t would be doing
high act of patriotism to sacrifice their feelings of ind
vdua pride TO the good OF the country.
Now let me say, that in asserting that defensive
line was the only alternative to the plan recommended by
the President, have put out of the question the
which most Of you MISUNDERSTANDING indemnity of ter
rory because, believe that the voice of the country
has decided revocaby against it and that to keep
the alternative would but render certain the adop
ton OF the policy recommended by the Executive, and in
consequence the conquest of the whole country Let
say further my friends the other side of the cham
to differ in politics here, without permitting our personal
feelings to be ahectedh they have contributed by
their course to give the public opinion that strong and
fixed determination not to terminate the without some
suitable indemnity do not allude to your voting on
the bill recognising the existence of between the
public of Mexico and the United States No knows
better than myself that you voted Tor the bill with the view
OF furnishing Immediate relief to Gen Taylor and his army
and not in reference to the war that you even protested
upon your vote But, after the bill passed. and the war
was authorized, most OF you have continued TO APP
Preparations to prosecute the war, with the object
expressed OF acquiring territory indemnity.
Now, | must say cannot see how the two can
be reconclled-how your vote to acquire territory
can be justified and at the time your opposition to
The acquisition OF territory of indemnify when
IT Is acknowledged all sides that that is the only means
by which II can be acquired The people will find
marc to believe that II necessary to vote so much
money for the purpose OF getting territory for indemnify
which you intend to throw away when you get it But,
whatever may be the which have led to this state
OF public opinion, 1t has, beyond all doubt decided against
any conclusion of this that does involve terrific
rial indemnity, to extent. Hence repeat, the al