Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-08

Dut Whener shall be allowed 10 take such shape
depends upon those against whom this opposition made
aesre mat the diversity Of sentiment which exists ia this Sc
a sna be tested IN the discussion and decision of practical
measures Iherefoe propose that oil the sentiments
'aea ~ his chamber be made known in the discussion
OF this bill IN reference its postponement in preference 10
me discussion Of abstract propositions Sir, there much
advantage 70 DO gained, all know, by the form which
an adversary chooses assume II one thing sir 10 de-
nounce the policy Of the Government in the discussion Of an
sIact propositions, and another take the responsibility Of
opposing measures for increasing the army and This
war heieiofe SIR as friend to this Administration, and
as one deernncd as far as may be able TO stand by lis
policy IN this particular desire that the opposition should be
made TO these measures in the face Of the themselves
and with the responsibility which that opposition will IMPOSE
Sir we are in state Of and in that state we must con-
nue until peace puts end to it, That war has lis theatre
two thousand mixes from this Capitol the intercourse be-
tween the Government and the army consumes some two or
three months time.
Well, sir, under these circumstances with that army c
hacked and bleeding in the achievement its glorious ycto
es shall we leave than there occupy country ms LARGE
as our own surrounded by ten millions of enemies and sub
cted to all the per to which their pecaous situation expo
SEES hem without taking the precauon sustain them by
additional reinforcementsl
Sir the vote Of this Senate isefs large part Of the power
which this Government must in the prosecution of this
war to honorable peace 1t . the moral impression pro-
duced by the knowledge in Mexico what the deten
nation OF this Government evnced in its Legislation whe
Their sustaining the President not which is operate ad
vantageousy or otherwise in regard the termination the
The vote ofhe Senate this very question will have
as much influence in bringing about peace the additional
force which it Is proposed to raise The declaration to
whether we do or do not intend the peace
be the result Is OF the utmost importance
Sir, if this Senate wayers if it evnces hesitation if in
stead OF increasing the force persists in cang against
own Government what, ask, will be the effect Of such
course upon the mind of the Mexican people Will not
encourage them to further resistance II is therefore, that
say the vote of this body upon this bill will in my opn-
ion have much influence upon the question Of peace the
marching OF the troops themselves For this reason think
highly important that early manifestation by the eeis
latve Department of the Government intention this
particular should be made and that should speedily decide
whether it will prosecute abandon the war And If il to
be abandoned sir say the quicker the better if it to be
prosecuted the more vigorously the BETTER Let U.S. them de-
eide the matter at once not shielding ourselves behind alb
strac propositions but as in the contemplation Of great pac-
teal ISSUE want the contest made upon desire
the decision of the Senate whether thew intend 10 adopt
the the other Of the two systems Of poicyhe prose-
cuon Of the the abandonment of it, reterats sir
there but question at ISSUE and that has but two sides
However much the metaphysical ingenuity some minds may
seek to divide this question: there remains but the onehe
simple question: either prosecute this war until is ended
BY satisfactory peace to abandon the and withdraw
our troops to the left bank of the Rio Grande If il be the
decision of the Senate that the latter policy be carried into eff
feet the the better if it be the decision the Senate
that the former plan be adopted it ought to be executed i'm
mediately But hesitation, sir waverng, uncertainps to
what will be the final action Of Congress, nothing but pro-
crasinating peace.
lido speak Of design because will not impute motives
to honorable Senators, but speak of the nfabe tendency
OF the course pursued by them Now the Senator from South
Carolina says that he has question be decided first Ard
what is that question Why that, although the President
and the country may be unanimously of the opinion that the
may be prosecuted with view secure an honorable
peace without the final extinction of the nationality of Next
yet that the before may tend that result
Well, what difference could it make should the Senate
mousy in the resolutions OF the Senator from South
Carolina Why the very moment this bill is called up the
whole argument would be renewed because the Senator
says this might lead to that extinction. Then why
need We while have this before us go into the
discussion Of his resolutions Why discuss proposition
separately when the Senator himself confesses that the dis
cusson upon this bill will embrace it 1t will be for the
Senator to show how is that sustaining the army in
Mexico by furnishing additional troops TO take the place of
those gallant who have lost their lives battle by dis
ease-I say will be for him to show how it is that this
additional force which is purely designed repenish the
wasted strength Of the army, is tend TO the final subuga
ton of Mexico and the extinction of her nationality. We
replace the exhausted strength of the army enable
it to hold possession of its conquests and by that possession
compel Mexico to put an end to the war; That is what
DESIRE and what be more proper and reasonable Ihope
therefore the bill will be taken consideration and kept
before the Senate until completed and that army will
not be permitted TO suffer for Of this additional force
Without, sir, presuming to say what will be the final de-
cson of this body, cannot be mistaken in saying, that
whatever that decision may be, il will exert momentous in
uence for good for evil upon the interests Of
country.
Mr. CALHOUN It appears now, sir, that the object in
calling up this bill at present. is not to pass the BILL but
get a parliamentary advantage-to compel the Senate
discuss this bill before opportunity is afforded for dis
cussng the resolutions which have offered ia mere
SIR if follow the advice Of the Senator from Ohio we
shall just much time in discussing this bill
if we first to discuss the resolutions. The Sena-
from Ohio talks Of the necessity Of proceeding upon
this bill now and tells in the breath that
have the whole discussion upon the subject Of the upon
this BILL
Mr.. ALLEN The honorable Senator misrepresens what
said What said was that ought to take up this bill
and 20 on with its consideration at
Mr.. CALHOUN. Exactly. We go with the
discussion upon this bill instantly told both by the
from Ohio and the Senator from Michigan, and
let the discussion upon the resolutions have precedence The
Senator from Ohio says that it parliamentary advantage
have the discussion upon this bill previous discussing the
resolutions Well, I acknowledge that il is acknow-
ledge that should be tied up, in great measure in the
discussion upon the BILL and prevented from going freely
into all these questions regarding the war; would in dis
cussng the resolutions. Il will then be- strictly speaking,
out Of order. Besides this will not have, what is most
important in the discussion Of the BILL expression Of the
Of this body upon the great point whether Mexico
to be conquered and held subject province ncopo
rated into the Union not. Sir, know there many
sanch friends of the Executive the Senator from Ohio,
who believe that the policy recommended by the President,
and about 10 be carried out by this BILL will end in her
subugaon and the extingushment OF her nationality Now,
sir is due the country that this question should be dis
ncty presented that the people Of the country may what
the probable result Of tho war; and determine whether
they will for that is be the end Of the whole
OF the contest unless the decisive taken
the part Of the Senate TO prevent it,
Sir, cannot be mistaken. wish TO into the subject.
deem be due constituents TO the American peo-