The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-01

hastily into war in war, that may spare no honor
able effort for restoration Of peace.
There rs yet another consideration of kindred charac-
ter While the monarchies OF Europe at peace with
each other and social Improvement is advancing, the
continent at least, with unparalleled rapdiy almost the
only wars now waging among neighborng States are
between US and Mexico and between OF the South
American republics. | desire much any one can
TO see these dissensOns composed and to these re-
publican States the fulhment of their great mis-
sion among the nationsthe maintenance OF the prnci
pies OF political liberty and the cultivation OF the arts OF
civilization and peace
In these views concur with the senator from South
Carolina. But here constrained to separate from
him. When we come to practical measures our paths
lie wide apart
1t is for the very reasons have just stated that can
not assent 10 the policy he proposes believe It cal
cuated to poong the war; not 10 terminate II; to keep
alive the spirit of anmosty which divides us from Mex
co instead of restoring the friendly relations which
ought to exist between am in favor, then OF stand
ing And, sir, she shall refuse to make peace
if we continue in the occupation OF her capital and
ourths of her territory may be IN the order OF
Providence that we shall through this very necessity,
become the instruments OF her political and social regene
ration. In the party conflicts which distract her, the
means may he found of consolidating her government on
republican basis of healing her dissensions and OF uni
ting her in bonds of friendship by exercise of
magnanimity and orbearance in the final adjustment OF
our difficulties with her. believe something
OF the sautay Influence OF our IN her capital and
principal seaports begins to be felt The abolition of
transit duties, the reduction of the mpOs foreign
tices of necessity and convenience, and freer com
merce among the Mexican States, may, il continued,
strike fatal blow at the anti-commercal system by
which her people have been oppressed and the internal
abuses by which her rulers have grown richa system
OF NAL administration not even equaed by that which
exists in old Spain. The higher Improvement in govern
ment IN the arts and in civilization under all Its FORMS
which distinguishes our own people. may, by force OF
actual contact, be communicated To the Mexcans and
lay the foundation OF an improved social order Startling
as the reflection is, it is nevertheless true, that civza
ton, and even Christianity, have sometimes been propo
gated by arms, where they would otherwise have been
hopeessy excluded. Thus, the very passions which
nm tn hmm NAV in he
hands OF Providence become the agents OF its advance
ment Let us, them hope and trust that the contest in
which we are engaged with neghbOrng power, depor
able we all consider it, may be instrument OF social
and political ameoraton to our adversary
The senator from South Carolina has said, in his en-
phatic language that we are "tied to corpse" It is
striking figure, Mr. President, and partakes strongly OF
the boldness in which the illustrations of that dstn-
gushed senator are always conceived Mexico IS, IN
deed, prosrate--almost politically nanmae. if you
pease-under the expressions which have been heaped
upon her, year after year, by INSCRIPTIONS rulers Butt
should be sorry to believe her beyond the power of
suscitation, even by human means do not expect as
our contact with her becomes more intimate to see her.
like the dead body touched by the bones of the prophet
spring, at single bound to life and strength But
tyfreed from the despoc sway OF her military rulers
and rising by sure degrees, to the national importance
wish her. to possessorder and tranquility first next So
cal Improvement and stable government, and at last
honorable rank among the nations OF the earth con-
template direct interference with her government
permanent system of protection to be exercised
itno alliance with her beyond what may be necessary
to to the objects of peace But do contem-
plate treaty, STIMULATING for commercial arrangements
for protection and security to own citizens in their
future intercourse with her. and withdrawal OF our
forces without it, at least until all chance of obtaining
shall prove hopeless If we were to retire now, all com,
between her and would cease and be transferred
to our rivals our frontier would be line OF war not
boundary between peaceful neighbours and unless the
tide of conquest should be poured back upon her under
the provocatons such condition of our relations would
almost necessarily superinduce, citizen OF the United
States could be expected for years to come to plant his
foot on Mexican soil. War dissoves the political and
commercial relations of independent States so far as they
rest upon voluntary agreement 1t is only by treaty OF
peace that they can be revived or new relations be sub
Mr.. President, advocating, do, the occupation OF
Mexico until she shall consent to make peace it may be
incumbent to state in what manner think it can
best be attained. And here must say think the est
mates of the effective force in the field have been greatly
oversated propose no SPECIFIC plan Tor adoption
leave all measures IN the hands OF those to whom
they belong only purpose to state what suggests itself to
my mind as advisable. | think we should find it most
advantageous to remain much we are, excepting to
occupy such ports the Pacific our fleet may reduce
and maintain, commercial avenues to the interior
II may, however become necessary to occupy San LUIS
Poos and Zacatecas for the protection Of the mining
operations in those States and the agricultural districts
near the city Of Mexico TO command supplies for the
army should consider army of twenty-five thou
sand well disciplined effective men, the smallest number
adequate to the purpose OF maintaining POSITIONS keeping
open communications from the coast to the INTERIOR and
dispensing the enemys troops if they shall be relmbodied
but IN order to keep up such force we should require
nominal organization of at least forty thousand men,
with full thirty thousand under pay. Without the gene
raj staff, the twenty-five regiments of regulars in
service and the ten regiments proposed by the bill,
will constitute such force and when the latter shall
be raised and brought into the field portion of the vol
unteers may be discharged if it shall be found prudent
to do Many OF the regiments greatly reduced in
numbers, and, | understand, anxious to return
home doubt now whether there are more than twen-
ty five thousand effective in all Mexico though the
rolls show over forty thousand.
General CAss, chairman of the Committee Military
Affairs, here said that the Adjutant General OF opn
ion that they did not exceed twenty -four thousand
Some of the returns which the Adjutant Generals
report is founded, of early date August last
1t will be recoected that last summer when there was
great anxiety in relation to General Scott statements of
the number of his troops published here. They
were founded the returns in the Adjutant Generals
otce-and in his official report of the battles before the
city OF Mexico General Scott complained that his force
had been greatly overstated He said it had been
'trebled in these returns, if recoec rightly and that
the army had been sdsgused by the eyaggeraton The
returns of the army should, in like manner be sub
jected TO great deductions order to obtain the real
effective force. Ii the ten regiments proposed by the
bill authorized months will be required to raise
them they will not probably the chairman of the
Committee on Military Affairs has stated give many
more than seven thousand men, and in the time the
army will become constantly diminished by the casual
ties OF service For these reasons and for those given,
and so ably given some days since by my honorable
friend from Mississippi, (Mr DAvIs,) support the bill
support 1t Tor another reason which has governed
from the commencement of the place at the
troll OF the Executive the and deemed neces
sary to bring it to an honorab e termination.
AS hosttes suspended the chief province Of
the army will be to maintain internal tranquility, support
the civil authorities in the execution of the laws to free