The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-02
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH or MIR. HUNTER,


IN the Senate, february 7, lsiSOn the Ten Regiment Bill
Mr. HUNTER addressed the Senate as follows
Mr.. PRESIDENT: If the bill before us appeared in no
otheI lgnt man as mere measure OF supplies which
raised only the question of regiments more or less
IN our army should not have troubled YOU with any ea-
sons Tor the vote, which shall give. But during the
discussion, lar higher subjects have been involved in its
consideration The great question to the manner in
Which the luure progress OF the American people Is to
be conducted, insensby influences every mind in lis de-
termination as to the proper objects TO be pursued in tbs
war ms, SIR, IS the grand problem which the Amen
can mind Is aborng to sove and upon the sonndness of
ITS conclusions must depend future destiny for veal
or Tor woe NO matter what the question presented If
II be connected with this war; it seems Immediately
suggest these other considerations with which the pub
nc mind Is so anxously engaged OF all the great pc
liuca problems ever presented to the world, believe
there has been none upon whose correct solution much
OF human happiness has been staked; for people
existed In my opinion, who had the capacity 10 play
great part IN the affairs OF mankind The question
surrounded, Confess by difficulties and en1barrass
Inens 1t rs given TO TO much of the future
ana our past career has been SO rapid, SO eventual and
so successful that we scarcely conceive it imposs
bic to crafty any wish may have 10 the future
course OF our people But, sir, the hour has arrived
when IT is Indispensable, not only to further and higher
successes but to our own happiness to determine the true
objects OF our mission, and the real nature of the func-
lions which we have to perform in tie social progress OF
mankind It's not surprising, then, that senator's should
address themselves from this hall to the public mind of
the country, to influence It's deliberations upon the
menous Issues before it; for, Of all the governments
mat ever existed this perhaps, that sound public
safety Our safety IS not, and has been, in the
written provisions OF this constitution but in the public
virtue and intelligence which directed our institutions
The great merit OF our system is, that its
true TO the popular opinion which directs it, and they
will be good or ILL., as that opinion is true false The
system dd not make our habits OF popular thought, but
they made the system The Mexcans had constitution
very similar to ours, but there was sound and en-
ghtened state Of public opinion to execute it, and the
instrument failed in their hands, which has been
cesstul in ours Should the public opinion of this
try ever become debased and degraded there is nothing
IN the provisions of this constitution which could save
us 10 place our government in such keeping would be
TO consgn the delicate and complicated machinery of
locomotive to unskillful hands, in which should move
with swliter pace to common ruin The democratic
principle IN government, like steam in the physical world
IS the most powerful of agents. but, like seam it requires
the most careful and delicate management
Mr. President, II Is the highest province of an Amen
can statesman to influence, and in some guide
leads the people responsible for the greatest political
offence which can be committed under our system of
government tie polsons the spring from which the
whole city is supplied, and deals death in the water
which is indispensable to life. have great faith in the
public mind OF this country, when is truly informed and
time is given Tor delberaten. But the march of events
propositions which heretofore had scarcely formed the
subjects of speculation. Schemes of ambition vast enough
to have asked even Roman imagination to conceive
present themselves suddenly practical questons and
visions OF spendOr, which, ten years ago, we should
have classed amidst the decisions Of mirage" fast
assuming form, substance and reality The disntegra
more than 100000 square miles of territory and com
pretending more than 100000 of people, according to
the estimate of Nluhlenpfodt.-the annexation Of that
territory, and the union OF those people, aliens IN
race and hostile in feelings TO ourselves, with equal
rights and privileges, their subiugaten dependent
PROVINCE are amongst the practical questions forced upon
our consideration These questions are here, s-here In
our midst without the premoni,ion of those shadows
which are said to give warning OF coming events SO
suddenly have these considerations pressed themselves
upon us that the mere current OF events leading to
the establishment OF precedens, if not OF principles,
which Affect the entire frame work of government.
The most despotc Of all powershe power OF the con-
queror over these eight or nine millions of peoples
ercsed by the executive branch of government with
out the least participation of Congress- for which by
no means censure HIM, as was perhaps, inevitable IN
the absence of all law relation to the subject;
are we, perhaps to be blamed for the want of action IN
this matter. Our system not founded for conquess;
our habits as people, have not been those OF and
there was no preparation for the present, because it
not ioreseen IN time to make it. But Mr. President DIFF
bcu and embarrassing these questions we have
to meet them 1t is time that we were determining upon
the true objects to be pursued this war; and nothing
would, perhaps facilitate correct conclusion upon this
subject than determination as TO the true ends of
our national existence, and the proper mode OF conduct
ing our progress people This. in my opinion, is the
problem whose solution i'll the public mind precede
It's determination as to the objects of the Nav, sir,
1t presents the great considerations which will mainly de-
termne the future course OF foreign relations !
waive all discussion as to the Justice of the war; or
capacity to subjugate the Mexican people entirely and
completely shall treat the question as if there
ter in reference to interests in order to see if
may not attain results, from this point of view which
are consistent with duties TO humanity as well as to
ourselves
If we could choose mode of progress, (and happily
we may as believe, if would select the best0 in
VIVA, manner should we regulate it, Shall we accept it
mission to plant and nhabt the Wilderness TO re-
duce the waste to human and fill up what is open
TO us with a homogeneous and fratemal people? Are
our rumphs TO be sought in the peaceful arts the noble
achievements o. civilization, the development of higher
forms OF social life, and the introduction of purer princi
pies of political action Is it be our aim to become
sell educating, self sustaining, and a segoverning
people so true to themselves and just to others
be able to increase their physical without loss of moral
power to extent never before witnessed in the gene
ralons OF man Or are we TO pursue another course
and initiate Roman and British examples Is the history
OF our successes to be written the of and
achievements to consist in subugatng nations and
conquerng provinces Is IT 10 be glory merely
extend our boundaries without adding to our own happi-
and without reference to the rights sufengs of
others In other words, shall grow as the oak which
strikes the root deeper as extends the branches and in
creases in size without mparng its symmetry destroy
ing the Just proportion of any of the elements of its strength
and elegance Or shall we climb like the vine which
destroys what 1t clngs 10, and under outward form
OF beauty and OF HE, and conceals decay and
death within Mr. President, are now strong enough
TO feel that either career Is open to Both roads lie
before u.s. and it is for ourselves to determine which we
shall pursue But trust that we shall not long hesitate
to the choice The more consider the nature of our
government, and the circumstances of our people, the
firmly am convinced that taste for peace is in
dspensabe for the high development of our social adj
vantages, and the complete fument of greater destiny
than any nation has ever achieved The circumstances
attending early settlement the continent the ma
ture of our institutions, cotenporaneous expression
OF the opinions of the fathers of the republic all