The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-12
has done more than anything else towards its perpetual

the senator himself and his particular constituents. Sir.
can have the senator from New Hampshire. They were
almost born with me; they have been confirmed by the
experience OF every day of my life, They have been
strengthened by the experience OF all have seen around
me- do not choose 10 express them this floor, unless
the question is pressed home But whilst have fixed
and unalteable convictions IL the mere institution oil
slavery itself as political or civil institution have an
other conviction deeply and eyocably xedand that
is conviction that the southern States it to them
selves and all OF them, to stand their own rights
to vndcae their own equality and exclusively at Their
time, and without the interference oil others, TO med
die in their way with this peculiar institution Not
understanding this, Mr. President cannot be blind to all
the Indications of the times cannot but say that the
opinions entertained in the north, however erroneous
may think they are, still honestly entertained cannot
hut say that the senator from New Hampshire would be
false implied promise which he has given 10 the State
which sent him here he not to make this condition
cannot but perceive that popular feeling which is
like whirlwind at the north but there is
equally determined and steady feeling at the south If
these feelings be further excited there be but
sulthat is, deadly conflict amcable separation; and
when look AT either, Mr. President my heart sickens at
the reflection. Sons OF common ancestry, bound to-
gether by common ties, glorying IN common renown,
looking in common TO still more glorious future, can
not but feel my heart sink within me- at the posi-
bility of such result And is because believe il will
follow ii the of things to which have alluded shall
be brought into existence and not because am opposed
merely the acquisition of territory that gave my cor
dial support the resolution offered upon that subject by
the distinguished senator from Georgia at the last session
Sir am not to be driven into different course by be-
With me, Mr. President, loss of money nothing to the
loss of character With me- the boundless wealth OF the
world would be as nothing compared with what should
esteem the incalculable loss attending the destruction OF
our national character. But, sir, it is not true that
peace accomplished on the terms to which have re-
ferred would leave us without indemnity Sir, we have
indemnity in the history of this II is to be found
the many glorious battle fields which 1t has presented
10 an asonished world 1t is be found in the delight
which electrified every American heart at the result OF
every battle. 1t is to be found in the security which 1t
furnishes against the dsurbers OF hereafter
few hundreds ofmions-even if It should go to hun
dedstbat may be expended, will be forgotten even while
spoken of while the glory and renown which it has
heaped upon the American character will be remembered
as long as time itself shall endure am not, therefore,
to be told thaPeace on such terms you'd leave us LOSERS
in the true, high, and moral sense OF the term.
word on another subject and cease to trouble the
Senate. | have already Indicated Mr.. President, my
preference of regular volunteer force. Now
sir, that preference IS founded and have but word
two in the way of to assign Tor ~ on the opm-
ion, which information in my possession has enabled me
fe that the expense Of regular force is much less
and their efficiency infinitely greaer-above ALL that the
sacrifice of human life is less
MI Secretary Poinse in his letter of 2lst March, 1885,
to the honorable MIR Speaker Polk President speak
ing Of the comparative expense Of the two descriptions Of
force, says
The difference Of expense between the employment OF
this description OF troops (meanng volunteer and militia
and regulars is least independently OF the
wastage attending their ignorance OF every administrative
branch Of The service the enormous expense OF
and the increase thai will be made to the pension
list under the provisions OF the act OF The iSh arch, 1850
Now sir, the Senate will find how inefficient this de-
scription of force isl mean as compared with reg
ular orces-by turning to Document 297 OF the I'd ses
sion 18th Congress They viii there find that volunteer
to serve in the Florida war, the Black Hawk war, in
the war against the cnerokees, and in the State OF New
York at the time Of the border difficulties to the number
Of 55 They will nd am sasea a, a o 1em
forces and for the purpose now in vew-the superior
efficiency of the reguars-hat the mortality among vol
uueere and militia compared with regulars Is as ten to
one Sir to what is this owing' 1t is owing principal
~ the fact that the officers are unable to subject them
to the of discipline and TO prevent the expo
which leads to disease
the War Department. appears that the number Of men
enlisted for the line of the regular army Che old esab
shmen for the first five months OF is47, VIZ from jan
uary Isl 10 June 1st, 1905 the number offering
be enlisted during the perOd and rejected by the
recruiting officers because Of physical lnirmity, was
II ,S47more than twice the amount actually received.
Now, do not mean to underrate the volunteers. God
forbid that should But make bold to say, that at least
one half of those who rejected unfit for the reg
ul service may be found in the ranks OF the volunteers
hus the chances OF mortality in that corps of
very much increased,
Ihave said, Mr. President, all intend TO cay upon this
points and ask the attention ci the Senate only me-
ment or two longer, while add word or two by way
OF conclusion Sir haye heard said by some, that this
should be prosecuted because its tendency was to
omeorate the condition of Mexico. have heard ii said
that we were constituted missionaries by Heaven-even
by fire. and by sword and by saugherto carry the light
OF civilization into that benghted land have heard
that it he's been stated in the pulpit, that have
been selected by Divine Providence purify dark and
false religonto break down their old, ancient and de-
graded snpersttonso bring them into the blaze Of the
true faith and TO substitute for it the hoer and purer
light of the Protestant religion. have heard it stated,
Mr. President, that the is to be prosecuted in order
to enlarge the ''area OF freedom" hold to no such
doctrine. No, sir
We need not, for the sake of charging the of free
dom, become propsyandists Nophysca force is our
part called for to break the bands which bind other peo-
ole in subsection. There is SILENT but potent, moral
power progressing through the world rapidly tending
that consummation 1t has its origin in the lesson which
our example is teaching Here is perfect personal
and political freedom, combined with unexampled nation
al happiness, prosperity, and power. Here is that
as right protected and enjoyed amongst ourselves to
an extent before known and shielded by national
arm that the nations OF the world would in vain attempt to
strike down. Yes, sir, institutions telling their
own story by the blessings they mpa to us, and ndoctr
mating the people everywhere with the principles Of free
dom upon which they founded Ancient preqdces
Welding to their mighty influence Heretofore severed,
and apparently permanent systems OF government are
falling beneath it. Our glorious mother, free as she has
ever comparatively been, getting TO De freer mas
hotted cut the corrupions Of her political ranc.S IT
has brokenher religious intolerance; it has greatly ee
waited tho individual character Of her SUBJECTS has
measuaby weakened the power of her mobiles, and BY
weakening it. in sense has vastly strengthened the
authority of her crown, by forcing it to rest for all its
power and glory upon the hearts of its people To Ire
land too--mprsve lreand-the land of genius, of elo-
quence and Of vaorit is rapidly carrying the blessings
of restored freedom and happiness In France, all of
political liberty which belongs to her, is 10 be traced to it.
and even it's 70 be seen cheering, anmang, and gu
I - = r Ta.V. Liza e