The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-04-08

depending after all, upon other superior
powers, and the necessity of submitting to
any terms which we prescribe, to fallen-fallen
fallen Mexico!
The Members composing the other House
the more popular branch of Congress-have
all been elected since-I had almost said the
tatal-the remarkable incidents of the 18th OF
May, 1916 ; and it has passed resolution
affirming that 81 the war with Mexico was
begun unconstitutionally and unnecessarily
| by the Executive Government of the United
States" l concur in that sentiment. hold
that to be the most recent, authentic express
sion of the will and the opinions of the people
of the United States There is another propo-
sition, not so automatically announced hither-
to, but in my judgment equally true-equally
capable of Unconstitutional that is, that
this war was begun, has been continued, and
is now prosecuted, for the great and leading
purpose of the acquisition of new territory
out of which to bring new States, with Mexl-
can population, into this our Union OF the
United States. If unavowed at first, this
purpose did not remain unavowed long,
However often it may be said that we did not
| 60 to war for conquest-credat Jssdeus Ape11a!
yet the moment we got possession of the
territory, it is said that we must retain it and
make it our own. Now, I think the original
object has not been changed. Sir, I think it
still exists in the eyes of those who originally
contemplated it-who began the war for it
that it is as attractive to them, and from which
they have no more desire to avert their eyes
now than they had then, or have had at any
time since we have compelled treaty of ces-
sion. We know in our consciences that it is
compelled We use it as an instrument,
and an agency in conjunction with other ia
strumentaities and agencies of more formi-
| dable or destructive character, to enforce the
acquiescence of Mexico in the acquisition by
us of new territory to form new States to be
added to this Union. Every intelligent man
knows that there is strong desire in the heart
of the Mexican citizen to retain the territories
belonging to that Republic. We know that
| the Mexican people part with their territory
| if part they ntust-with regret, with pangs OF
sorrow. That we know. We know the ces-
sion is altogether forced; and, therefore. be-
cause we know that whatever the Govern
| ment, which is our creature, may do or agree
| to, we know that the Mexican people will
never accede to the terms, of this Treaty, but
| through an impulse of absolute necessity and
the impression made upon them by absolute
irresistible force Therefore we propose to
overwhelm them with another army. We
propose to raise Immediately Ten Regiments
of volunteers, and to pour them in and upon
| the Mexican people,
Now, Sir. should be happy to concur, not
withstanding all this tocsin and all this cry OF
! all the Semproniuses in the land that their
voice is still for war; should oe happy to "a
gree, and substantially do agree, with the
Hon. member from South Carrina, that after
! all, the war with M'.xicols substantially over
that there can be Il 0 more fighting. My opin-
| ion in the present state of things is, that the
| people of this country will not sustain this war.
They will not go to the expense. They will
not find any graf iication in putting the bay
| onet to the throft of the Mexican people
For my part, l Hope the Ten RegimentI hill
will never become law. Three weeks ago
| should have entertained that hope with the
utmost confidence. Events since have struck
me with pain and shaken my conviction. Still
l hope it will not pass. And here. dare say,
1 shall be called a Mexican Whig." A man
who can stand up here and say he hopes that
what the Administration projects for the far
ther prosecution of the war against Mexico,
will not be carried into effect is "enemy TO the
country or, what gentleman would consider
the same thin g, an enemy of the President Of
the United ST ates, and his Administration, and
his party lie is mexican !" Sir think
very badly of the Mexican character, high and
low out and out. But names do not terrify
me. Beside, if | am a sufferer in this respect
If l be made the subject of reproach by these
stipendiary presses-these hired abusers of the
| motives of public men-I have the honor on
this occasion to be in very respectable compa-
ny. In the vituperative-the accusative-the
denunciatory sense of that term, do not know
a greater Mexican in this body than the hon
orable member from from Michigan at the head
of the Military Committee.
| Mr.. CAss.-I should like the honorable
gentleman to explain what sort of Mexican
| I am.
| Mr.. WEBsTER.-That is exactly the thing I
now propose to do.
Mr.. CAss.-I shall be glad to hear the ex-
| NJ