The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-02

the right to appropriate Indian territory for the uses of civil
zauon belongs to ,hose who have the capacity to do
ana o. those capable Of doing it, the contiguous have the
best utie may be said that time has not been given
10 test iaiy their capacity to occupy this country But
persuasive, if not decisive fact that they are
dng before the Indian population acknowledge that this
consideration would not justify seizng upon this ter
ritory If the two nations peace but may fairly
De estimated as strengthening the rights acquired in war
make thus admission, because the right to seize In
dan territory upon the ground that the civilized naion
claiming it has capacity to occupy it, can only be
fairy exercised when the fact upon which 1t depends is
ascerlaned beyond doubt Even them may be ques-
ton OF prudence, whether the which mght occa-
sion would not produce much mischief that the exer
else OF the right would probably not afford benefits enough
TO compensate for II but the right itsei Is Us clear as
the right of the civilized TO appropriate sparsey pop
uated savage territory to his own higher uses The
same reasoning and the same laws apply TO both
But be that may, Mr.. President the question is de-
termined by the fact which believe exists that last
ing peace between the two countries will depend upon
such an acquisition. There is yet another object i'm
portant TO be obtained whenever treaty is conc uled
and that is, to insure commerce with the Mexican PEG.
pie upon favorable terms other nations may enjoy
do not that this should be qua non because
the circumstances attending our position along her from
tier would this result in the end, although they
might not produce it speedily as an immediate treaty
stipulation Still this object, though not ndispensa-
BILE, is desirable believe, sir, that the ought
to be conducted so as to secure these ends with as
small expense of money and little efuson of blood
as possible will so further, sir. think it ought
to be conducted TO prevent the entire disin-
tegraton OF Mexican society, and to leave as far as
possible just proportion amongst the elements out of
which their social fabric is TO be reoganZed II is
interest that they should become free, happy, and
as prosperous people as may be compatible with the ca
paeities of their If should live to see the re-
turn OF peace, should rejoice in the belief, if crcum
stances permitted it, that 1t the harbnger of better
days and higher hopes to the Mexican people them
selves But sir, the most doubtful question of all is,
to the best mode of so conducting the war TO attain
these objects. Upon tins subject. too, have my opn
IONS; but am so conscious OF my want OF military
knowledge that should not present them to those who
have so much better sources OF information, if did
not feel TO be due TO candor to present my views
upon subjects which all are considering and discuss
ing. shall premise, sir, by the admission that the
conduct OF the war IS emlnenty an executive func
ton. Universal experience has shown the necessity
for unity of purpose in the chief command of the ope
rations of 1t would be absurd as impossible
for the two houses of Congress to plan campaign
or direct the details OF extensive military operations
When clause was introduced in the federal con-
vention empowering Congress to make war; it was
amended, and the word declare" substituted for
mak upon the express ground that the conduct of the
war was an executive function do not deny, sir that
in an extreme case Congress could refuse the supplies
cy was contemplated BY the trainers of our constitution
They have the right too, to declare the objects of the
war and here again admit the possibility of extreme
case, in which they might refuse of supplies
which was manifestly incompatible with the ayowed
purposes of hostiites But, sir, do maintain that the
conduct of the is in the main executive Junction.
and it must be extreme to justify the interference
Of Congress in relation to the plans of campaign In de-
carng these my views to the manner in which the
should be conducted, is not my purpose TO contribute
by my VOTE in making any plan of campaign condition
of the supplies No such extreme case has occurred as
would justify Congress- m my opinion, for such an inter-
ference. The responsibility of conducting the war is
upon the Presidents and am not disposed to take it upon
myself, by forcing him plan of campaign which his
own judgment rejects shall vote for the supplies which
he now asks, and has declared to be necessary the
means to enable him to meet his responsibilities and
offer my views 10 the conduct of the for no other
purpose than to contribute to full comparison of opn-
ions upon subject which engages so much of public at
tentlon at present
would not change the present plan of operations UNI
til ascertain that there is chance for peace from the
party coming into power under Herrera but if treaty
should be obtained IN the OF few months, think
then should adopt what has been denomnated TIE
Zine policy, first suggested by the senator from South
Carolina do not mean, sir, mere territorial line,
bounding the portion OF country which we design to
qulre but military ne comprehending more than we
propose to ake and fitted for purposes of defence a.
that this plan would have met with much better recep.
on if it had not been misunderstood and supposed be
scheme of defensive war; when in reality it often
sive war, but in another form from that which is now
pursued. ! am in favor of occupying such ine Mr.
President, because it would secure to all the egt
mate objects of the war speedily, perhaps more 80,
than any other plan which has been suggested because
it would save much money and suffering in the future
OF the war; because it would diminish
the patronage arising out of the present system of
military operations and last but not least 'disentangle
u.s., as the senator from South Carolina has expressed
it, from dangerous connexion with Mexican affairs
Several military lines have been suggested all Of them pre-
them. take for the purpose of comparison, which
has been suggested to me by my friend the distinguished
senator from Mississippi, Mr. DAvIsl, whose knowledge
of the subject and military experience give great weight
to whatever opinions he may express upon this matter
This line from Tampico up the Panuca river the
Sierra Madre with this range and thence TO Aqua Nueva
thence to The range OF mountain spurs skrtng the desert
and forming species of tableland whose empty
into the Gila and with this range to point below the
junction OF the ella and the Colorado, and thence to San
Diego. This line, he informs me, can be impregnably
defended, far Mexican of offence are con-
cerned, by 10000 efficient This is larger estimate
than have made for any other of the proposed lines
but this includes more territory, and, to make the
parison fairly, take the largest With coast bat
terry at Tampco. covered by larger force at the head of
navigation on the Panuca comparatively healthy place,
required to be of any magnitude Along this line there
are but three or four passes over which artillery could be
carried its wheels The concentrc range of the Sierra
Madre through of the populated portion of the
try through which military line would pass, would
increase it's sesuPpoting capacity, and facilitate
concentration OF troops, If any military cxgency should re-
qure it. After passing Aqua Nueva little, the country
probably formidable post would be required until
reached San Diego. Sir, have his high authority for
saying that such line could be so securely held by
10000 efficient men that the people its northern side
would resume their agricultural operations, which
now disturbed by Mexican forays. The troops would
thus be enabled to draw their supplies from the country
on far cheaper terms than they obtain them at present
This line would cover territory enough to give indem
nifty for the past and security for the FUTURE fort would
que, than the Executive has already proposed TO
cept 1t would of the most valuable mines
of Mexico and place in possession the passes indis
pensabe to the trade between the provinces north and