The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-22


'i his countrymen in such language burst IN light
nlng and in thunder from the lips OF the nobest cham
pion OF Grecian liberty, when he exclaimed "Bu not
only Is our u conviction OF these facts necessary to our
saety-not only is 1t necessary that we should resolve
10 take vengeance Philip by all the operations OF war
but is equally necessary that should prosecute, with
The most determined hatred those who make hafangues IN
his favor. Let be strongly convinced how impossible
i is to vanquish the foreign enemies OF the repubc I'M
III we punish her domestic foesthese ministers oil Pp
But appeal to Jupiter and all our other gods, you nave
neither power for such attempt, nor inclination FOR
to such excess you arrived either OF iniaahon or
phrensy, q am unable TO express MYSELF that am Ire
Quenty alarmed lest demon precipately hurry the
republic TO destruction when either for the sake OF some
personal nvectve, or invdious remark-some malignant
ridicule NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Command those mer-
cenaes of Philip to speak in your assemblies, and laugh
when they scurrously abusive. Nor is this the Sc
veres mischief however severe for you have at least
in part given up the Tepubc to their administration and
rendered less dangerous for them TO offer you the most
penicous measures, than for others TO propose that
counsel which concerns your interests and honor alone
No one, Mr. President, who listened to the able agu'
ment OF the senator from Maryland, few days since,
could have avoided being forcby struck with the pecui-
cogency OF that part OF il which was devoted 10 es'ab
fishing the important position that the pending war with
Mexico is both Just and honorable. Perhaps should
have been still more Impressed with the views OF The
senator from Mary land had not been led, from his high
reputation as urst and salesman, to anticipate such
an effort as would comport with the peculiar dignity Of
has own chlvalrous State and be not unworthy OF the sue
cessor in thus body of the first of American ofatorshe
lnsirious Pnkney fear. though, that the logical ar
with any decided effect upon the convictions OF those
most proymale to him in this chamber among whom II
ne should perchance have effected conversion or two
shall regard it matter of special graduation. But
whatever fortune the senator may have had IN this res
pec such an argument, as he has presented here Will
certainly not fail to receive just appreciation at the
hands OF his countmen and the day can never by pos
sbility arrive when no will regret the expression OF
views at once so wise and so noble Long Will
''the star spanged banner of fathers wave in TIL
umph cover the land of the free and the home of the
brave" whilst sentiments of lofty patriotism in our
tional councils shall attend upon the vaorous achieve
mens of our heroic armies upon the fields OF Just and
defensive war.
The speech of the senator from Maryland, far it
was in vndication of the justice and honor OF the
could scarcely have failed of its intended effect in any
quarter il would seem to me, except where compelled
to encounter that great enemy to TRUTH against which the
venerable senator from South Carolina, the other day.
solemny warned us, and which he was pleased to de-
ION was thus, with something of dramatic emphasis,
ocised by the distinguished senator from the noble Pal
meto State confess that scarcely knew precisely what
quality OF the mental man might be probably alluded to-
But have since ascerained from who profess TO
be particularly wise in such matters, that this pride
OF opinion Is morbid condition OF the human intellect
brought on, most commonly at least understandings OF
certain elevation and expansive force, by multiplied
successes achieved vigorous opponents in the
OF logical dIgadmtlon-hat ii is status OF moral being
very much disrelishep by those who overaeager to
make Proselytes either in religion or politics, and Of
which those apt to complain most dolorousy when
they suspect its existence in others who in the impartial
judgment OF mankind in general, most subject to the
access OF the maady themselves. Now pride OF opinion
is commonly understood to be precisely anagopisticaP
to what IS known among practical politicians Under the
dread name OF inconsistency (Which latter quality
quite celebrated as grevous impeachment to high civic
advancemen am not entirely able to perceive why it
might not be permitted to escape criticism this
side OF the Atlantic, where most Of leading statesmen
unmndful of illustrious examples elsewhere, of the for
NAL and public dcavowal of opinions ascertained to
sist, with which is the customary attend
ant OF perfect sincerity OF heart, that though il may be
quite possible for the wcndrors magnet 10 lose
less OF its Characteristic polarity, and for Phebus himself
some OF these cold and cloudy days. in moment of sud
den caprice perchance to permit the regular succession
OF the seasons to become fatally disturbed, yet that the
operative powers OF their minds not at all subject
the great law of change which is impressed upon The
whole universe besides and that they have the happiness
STILL in the noon or evening OF life, as the may be-
to entertain the self-same opinions upon all the public
questions which have divided parties in this their day
and generation which they adopted upon their first
trance into the tangled and horny pathways of modern
MIR President the learned and able senator from Mary.
land has made Il Wholly unnecessary that the ad-
minstraon now in power should be hereafter defended
against number OF charges growing out Of this Mexican
war. Did not know that the course Of that sehatOr
had not been at NIL actuaed by desire to conciiae the
political party with which it is my honor to hold
nexon, should thank him, in the Of those
ciated with me, for the seasonabe and eecual relief
which he has thus afforded and which his conscience
and patriotism have forced him to afford u.s. from the in
sidious and persevering hostility of an Inscriptions
band OF unbnshng demagogues who occupy them
selves night and day in traducne the government of
their own country, and in bewaing the wrongs and su
ferings of those whom they denominae "our republican
brethren in Mexico" Had friend of the ruling admin
isation however elevated in point of character, and
energetic in the field Of debate given utteance to many
of the striking and important truths so startingly
announced by the senator from Maryland, there is
reason 10 believe that the work of conviction would
have been scarcely consummacd in the minds of many
deluded citizens, who will that to doubt the JUS
tee and honor of this war; and all the miner points in
own understandings, and to close their hearts all the
ennobhng sentiments which swell and animate the bosom
OF the patriot Who will be unblushing enough
hereafter to deny the honor and justice Of this war? Who
will hereafter deny that the Rio Grande the bound
airy line of Texas before annexation, and of our country
snce Who will dare to call in question the authority
or policy OF marching army TO the left bank of til
now famous riverl Who will doubt the previous deter
mnation of the Mexican government, as promugel in
grave pubic documents TO carry on cruel and devasta
ting war upon all peaceful citizens who might ut the
period OF intended INVASION, be found OF the Sabine
Who will not perceive that large military force had
been already concentrated in the neghbohood OF Ma,a
war along whole frontier, before the movement of
our heroic army from the west bank of the Nucces
Thus might have INDUCED in the language of in
terogaton. a few days ago. Alas we can do so
no longer Several gentlemen standing high with
their party, and OF deservcdy respectable rank in
the country afoat again upon the ocean OF disputa
ton. But, | trust they will forgive me for saying what
think all, save themselves, must have most sensbly
fe-that could not perceive anything which fell from
either OF them at all calculated to weaken the force of
the argument of the senator from Maryland as to any of
the points discussed by him These, proclaim so far
as partisan opposition is concerned settled points in
the language of the ay-hOOkel yos nJ,,1;c1f, TIL,