The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-19
THE UNION


lugaton humiliation Of the country ITSELF with all its
Institutions and municipal existence.
Here sir, arises interesting inquiry Such sublu
CATION of the po,oer that governs Mexico, once accom-
plshed what indemnify shall be demanded This inquiry
must be resolved before we can wisely apply our war
making power the further prosecution Of the war; Tor
in the enuncaon OF my third proposton have stated IN
terms somewhat comprehensive, the scope OF lneTna
onal indemnity feel constrained sir, to pass over,
without consideration, the idea of simple peeuniary
indemnity, or peeunary guarantee OF security Tor the
future in relations with Mexico dlsrust utterly
all expectation OF obtaining such &c. sir IN regard
abstract territorial acquisition. cannot believe
that the mere acquisition OF a portion OF the Mexican
territory embracing the valley OF the Rio Grande,
10 the whole extent OF territory comprised east OF the
Sierra fadre, and including New Mexico and Caliior
nia--which, though somewhat beyond the recommen
dation of the President, has been suggested by
very eminent military authorlty-would IN itself con-
stilue satisfactory indemnity for the war alone
much less would such an acquisition, IN my Jutg-
ment, give security for the future Such an acqu-
sition of territory, combined with certain fixed com
mercia relations, and the occupation of such points
on the seacoas and in the iRteror would insure their
faithful exercise and enjoyment might perhaps satisfy the
Just demands and expectations OF wise American policy
Nothing short of such result, sir would constitute
satisfactory peace In my Judgment TO accomplish thus
result the existing government OF Mexico must be abso
luely subjugated When this crisis is reached Ameri'
can statesmen, who may be intrusted with the admins
more comprehensive view of this question of indemnity;
and rejecting altogether the idea OF territorial acquisition
they would, perhaps guarantee to the whole people OF
Mexico republican government, civil and religious lber-
ty equal rights and equal laws, in their relation OF indie
pendent several States in any independent confederate
relation they may desire to assume None OF the evils
incident or believed to be incident to the denationaza
ton OF Mexico, could then but, like the other IN
habants of the North American continent, who
have been subjugated by the United States they
will enjoy that degree OF civilization and indepen
dence for which they may be fitted, and the free
and glorious civilization of our people will press
onward until it the American continent The
commercial relations thus secured with seven or eight
millions OF people, from whom though adjacent in terri
tory. have been almost excluded by the preudices
toni of fho Nav afr 1lianca
with the arts and ngues of European traders and mis-
sionaries would constitute ample glorious ,ndem-
nuy; while the liberated millions OF Mexico would bless
the sword OF the conqueror and spurn the rude desposm
OF the privileged classes who sport with and Cypress
them. To this end sir, would myself be willing at this
time to prosecute the war The power to declare war,
and make rules for the government of our armies,
and our captures land and sea, is ample to fill the
measure of glory and freedom which think this war
once, sir to extend revenue laws Mexico and
push the vigorously to the occupation and subJuga
suits should be accomplishment the task is more SIM
pie than we generally concede-I for one shall be CON
tent to leave with existing government the ADJUST
ment OF a satisfactory peace.
But sir, do not presume to press these views at this
time am quite content to support the policy OF the
administration, as presented in the Presidents message
and take at once the territorial indemnity recommended
by NM though would venture to hope his recommends
ton might be extended TO include the valley OF the Ro
Grande south to Tampco, as well as New Mexico and
California. Such acquisition Of territory, combined
with the measures recommended by the President or the
extension of judicious revenue system over Mexico
and continued prosecution of the war, would consti
tue, in my Judgment policy which will yet receive the
sanction OF the American people
Sir in viewing the more enlarged and comprehensive
would observe that such policy though it certainly EN-
braces the otoe of er,co in its influence and intend
ed 70 give moral and physical life to the people and inst
tutons of that portion of the American continent must
not be COMPOUNDED with the simple proposition OF the de-
naturalization of Mexico and the annexation OF that
country and people integral and sovereign portion
of Own Nine-t tent his n
Mexico are hardly less aboriginal, and certainly not so
well cultivated and advanced, as the Choetaw, or even
ed still left to the enjoyment of civil and religious
freedom; institutng their own fundamental laws, and
enacng their own municipal regulations under tn the
can government within the territory and jurisdiction
of the United States yet not constituting an integral and
sovereign portion of the confederacy itself. Neverhe
less sir their laws, their public schools, their civil and
religious cultivation, present types OF civilization IN
few respects inferior to own.
The principal and main objection, sir, that have
heard advanced against the partial acquisition OF Mexl-
territory, will doubtless be applied to the policy here
Indicated and lies in the supposed extension Of ?lauey
excluded by municipal law. This objection, sir regard
of little weighnot because am in any wise nsensi-
BILE to the outrage which such forced extension OF such
an institution over unwilling people would con-
stitue. regard this objection sir, OF little weight,
because | do not believe the act Of acquisition, OF
itself, would necessarily extend this institution over
the territory acquired Still less do believe that the
,ubjugaon Of all Merico, and the subsequent govern
ment OF that country by the lnnaDants tnereol uiuer
free and republican institutions, would result IN the
extension OF slavery beyond the limits where now eN
lists Further, sir, do not believe that any act OF the
federal government of the United States either create
abolish slavery anyrhere, within or without our pres
ent limits The powers of federal government overthe
institution of slavery are limited lst to their enmerdt,on
in fixing the ratio of congressional representations 90 10
their arrest and restoration when tugilUes from labor;
and Sd, to prohibit their importation their immigration
from abroad subsequent to the year 1905 Territory ac-
qued by the United States with slavery existing therein
domestic municipal institution, Florida and Lou.
would remain slave territory without regard and
without the sanction of treaty stpulalons to make 1t so,
or to guaranty its existence
On the other hand, territory acquired without me ex-
isence therein of this municipal institution, would re-
main free far any power of Congress to create It
there, to declare that should exist there is concerned
The people who may have abolished it therein or who
may have failed to create it there, alone possessed
OF sovereignty itbeing purely domestic local. and
peculiar Institution, recognised by the federal constu
ton such within the limits of such sovereignty as may
have established -an institution recognised as existing
in virtue OF sovereignty apart FROM and independent Oh
the federal constitution though not inconsistent ir,fh a.
Hence it s, sir, believe territory acquired by the United
States either by purchase conquest, and inhabited by
people who become citizens of the United States, will
most acceptable to their aDH and cish if consistent
with the constitution and laws of the United States and
the reserved rights of the States.
Entertaining these the subject OF slavery, L
may be permitted to that feel, the representative
of southern State wounded and offended at the style OF
language often INDUCED in by gentlemen on this floor,
who treat this question of single idea, denoun,
cling the institution and those who live in its midst and
though myself born north of Mason and Dixons line, l