The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-23


lin Tor some cause which lac did not understand II II
twas not intended TO be alleged that this for some
such cause, why was II introduced?
Mr.. BELL hoped the senator would excuse him for
nenuping him. but he had said nothing to the object
o this war being for gold and glory; but had said that
oelweeh inc commencement OF the war and the present
|ime perhaps some motive may have crept IN, which we
dd not know OF exactly and which Nigh govern others
pa Young ior a further prosecution of the war.
Mr., SEWER. Well sir, why did he say that gold and
glory were the of the war of Cortez, unless he
meant to charge upon the officers and engaged in
THIS war the same unholy ends and purposes which, he
says, governed Cortez and his companions If the sena
for from Tennessee says the party here, or the admins
rahon, or It's friends upon this floor, who vote for
TINS bill, and Tor further prosecution OF this war
are governed by any such desire OF gold and glory ne
says that which he cannot sustain, and which not
true. The administration guiltless OF such mo-
ves the act of Trst the act of Sde the acts OF our
generals In Mexico, plainly show that such not the
sentiments of this party and this administration The
senator also urged an additional reason which would
Render the acquisition OF Mexico unpopular, the reno
val OF the capital from its present locations necessary
consequence he affirmed OF the adoption Of this measure
! hope 1t will not be done during my time have learn
ed the way here and desire to travel no new roads, o
any capital of the United States content To-
let 1t remain where it is. Yet, can tell that senator
that the time may come, although he and may not live
to see IT, when this capital may be moved, whether Mex
leo is annexed not. This is work which our sue
cessors may or may not accomplish These are the|
reasons all based upon the assumed fact that the suD
CATION and annexation of all Mexico is the object OF lhe
administration; upon that assumption the senator lustles
MS opposition the Dill now before
facts which TO justify him in voting against supplies
and rentOrcements TO gallant army In Mexico. III
to be sort of wing destiny time OF war to yote
against supplies and renorcements to the army OF our
country understand that the senator and the party
with whom he acts will not vote dollar for supplies or
OF any kind to our army IN Mexico III
ne willing to LET that army perish for want OF supplies
and renforcemens Does he expect the country to sus
tain him and his friends in such course as this MOL
unto that man, time of who shall reuse|
vote supplies and reinfocements to the army OF our
country
Mr. BELL. Do not take the proper officers away andI
our army will not perish.
Mr. SEWER. We have got the proper officers there
and will keep them there If the army is left to perlshI
IN Mexico, there will be heavy responsibility upon;
those who refused the necessary supplies and reinforce
ments. Would the senator leave our army IN Meucol
without renforcemens until the day OF danger arrives
Mr.. BELL. If the army really in danger, u
would vote any number of men we should require,
thought there was sufficient force there already and
that the army was IN no danger
Mr. SEWER. The senator used the word 'rescue'-E
that he would be willing the army from danger
MIR. BELL. discaim the idea ! said would not.
the position that 25 900 men 10000 men under Scott
with able and experienced men 10 command them, wereE
not likely TO be in danger. All the documents on thlsE
subject go to show that the force there amply ade
luate for necessary purposes the senator does
not wish TO mlsrepresent me.
Mr.. SEWER. Very far from it, But | called hisl
for the purpose of explanation. ! used the world
rescue particularly desiring some explanation tromI
the SENATOR if had misconceived him but he was silent
And then went on with my comments Then AGAIN.
in regard to voting supplies thought that he meant tot
say he would not vote supplies until he saw the army mt
danger.
Mr. BELL. said | thought the force at present n|
Mexico sufficient.
Mr. SEWER But the head of the army, General
Scott, advised addition to his forces and 1t was IN!
accordance with that recommendation and for the pur-
pose of enabling the force to collect the revenue to sup
port not only the propose to send there by this
bill but those already there, that this bill was proposed
Mr. BELL. If the gentleman will allow me, General
Scott had estimated how many men would be necessary
carry out the plans OF occupying all the States OF Mex
ico But presume, if it be intended to get peace with
the existing government, additional force would mott
be required thought that, with regard to the occuPa
ton OF all the posts, the thirty thousand men at present.
under Scott in the present circumstances OF the country
would be adequate, with the six thousand men,
co operating on the line of the Rio Grande The honor
able senator observed that the state of the army depends
upon the discretion of the general commanding under the
instructions of the Executive here and it is only by ex
tending operations in such III Mexico, that
the administration will be able to eXtrcae them
selves from the necessity OF holding entirely, ana that
an additional force would be necessary
Mr. SEWER was very happy to hear the explanations
of the senator He had intended TO call the senator's
attention other parts of his speech; but he was
weary of this cooquy he weuld pass over them He would
now conclude by summing up what he had endeavor-
ed to present the Senate He had endeavored to show
United States secondly that had been wisely managed
and successfully carried on, in spite OF the opposition
party of the country; and, thirdly, that the United States
had ever been ready and willing, and are still ready and
willing, make peace with any stable government OF
Mexico on honorable and liberal terms That 1t never
was the design of the administration to subjugate and an
mex the whole of Mex and that all the territory the
administration desired, desires, is but rea
sonabIe portion sufficiently valuable to the United
States to deay the claims OF citizens against Mexico
and to indemnify the country for the expenses OF this
war This, sir is the platform on which the adminstra
ton stands