The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-04


In the Senate January 3d. ls4s--On the bill reported
from the Committee Military Affairs 10 raise for
limited lime, an additional military force
[coNCLUDED.l
Mr.. President in what | have said IN respect 10 the
danger OF foreign nterposon, have not relied upon
the ephemeral opinions OF the day opinions EXPIRE
ed in public journals abroad however Intimately those
journals may be supposed TO be connected with govern
ments as the organs of the views which il is deemed add
vlsabe to throw out, from time TO time, for the pub
lie consideration or guidance. ! have resorted TO no
irresponsible sources. | have presented opinions and
declarations proclaimed with more or less oil official
sanction, and. for the most part with the highest
the declarations OF ministers, speaking for their govern
mens TO the popular body and the responsible repre-
seniaves OF sovereigns, holding in Their own hands
the authority to enforce attempt TO enforce, what they
proclaim How far these declarations taken in
ION with the acts referred to- should influence our
duct Is question on which we may not all agree. But
appears 10 that it would be great in states
manshP to treat them wholly unworthy of consid
Grafton. Jealousy OF our increasing power, commercial
rivalry, political interests all combine to give them
portance. II Is the province of wise forecast TO pro-
vide far possible, that these adverse influences shall
find no theatre for their exercise To abandon Mexico
would II seems 10 me- throw WIDE open all the avenues
Tor their admtance-one power for commercial monopo-
~ and the other Tor political coniroand perhaps im
pose on us the difficult and dangerous task of removing
evlls'whch proper vigilance might have prevented.
1t may be, Mr. President that shall have an early
peace. sincerely hope In this case, must with
draw from Mexico; and ii may perhaps be said that the
dangers have referred 10 as likely to result from abb
at the present moment may possibly be realized
These dangers, whatever they may be, we must incur
whenever she shall tender us peace which we ought
to accept But there is wide difference between retiring
as bellgerents and enemies without a treaty, and as
friends under amcable arrangement, with solemn OBJ
legations both sides to keep the peace. In the former
case probably one OF the first acts OF Mexico would be
TO reassembe her army, and her government might fall
under the control of her military leaders. In the latter
amicabe relations being restored, and military forces be-
ing unnecessary at least to act against u.s. the peace
ty would have better hopes of maintaining themselves
of preventing the army, which is regarded as respon
sibe for the national disasters from gaining the ascend
ency, and also of excluding influences from abroad which
would be hostile TO her interests and fatal to the
tranquility OF both countries
In the references have made TO France and Great
Britain have been acuated by feeling of unkndness
or hostility to either. Rapid and widespread as has
been the progress OF the latter have sought to
interfere with it. She holds one third OF the North Amer
continent She has established her dominion in the
Bermudas the West Indies and in Guiana, the South
American continent. She holds Belize. on the bay Of
Yucatan in North America, with district of about four
graphical deneations. We her in the occupation of
territories in every quarter OF the globe vastly nord
naey extended and still ever extending herself II is
not easy 10 keep pace with her encroachments. few
years the Indus the wesen boundary of her In
dian empire. She has passed il; she has Afghan
isan and Beeloochistan. though believe she has tenn
porarily withdrawn from the former. She stands at the
gates OF Persia She has discussed the policy OF passing
Persia and making the Tgrs her western boundary in
Asia One stride would place her upon the shores
of the Mediterranean and her armies would no longer
find their way to India by the crcumnavgaton OF Africa
Indeed, she has now, Tor all government purposes of
communication, except the transportation of troops and
munitions OF war, direct intercourse with the East
Her steamers OF the largest class run from England
to Alexandria; from Alexandra there is water
municatlon with Caro-some sixty miles from Cairo
is but eight hours overland to Suez, at the head
of the Red Sea from SueZ her steamers OF the
largest class TO Alden, military station of hers al
the mouth OF the Red Sea- from Alden to Ceyon and from
Ceyon to China. She is not merely conquerng her way
back from Hiniostan She has raised her standard be-
yond it, She has entered the confines OF the Celestial
Empire. She has gained permanent toohold within
and who that knows her, can believe that preeXts will
long be wanting to extend her dominion there Though
it is for mainly that she is thus adding to the
number and extent of her dependencies it is not Tor
commerce alone. The love OF power and extended en-
pre is of the efficient principles OF her gigantic efforts
and movements. No island however remote, no rock
however barren on which The cross OF 81 George has
once been unfurled, is ever willingly renqushed no
matter how expensive or announcement 1t may be TO NAM
tain it. She may be said literally 10 encrcle the globe by
an unbroken chain of dependencies. Nor is it BY peace
full means that she is thus extending herself She propa
gates commerce. as Mohamedanism propagaed religion
by fire and sword she negoates, ii is with fleets and
armies the side OF her ambassadors, IN order to use the
language of her diplomacy to give force to their repre-
senations" She is essentially and eminenty military
power unequaed on the and on the land
Happily, the civilization which distinguishes her al home
goes with her and oberates some OF the bloody traces
of her march TO unlimited empire
Much less has any unkind feeling dictated my reference
to France. Our relations with her have usually been OF
the most friendly character From the foundation of our
government there has existed SIDE strong feel
ing of sympathy in her properties and her misiortunes
which no temporary interruption OF our friendship has
been able to eradicate There is for this feeling
If would not have been credtabe TO us as people If
had proved q transient sentiment She stood forth at
critical period in our contest for independence and rem
dered us the essena! service by her cooperation
and aid. The swords of Washington and Lafayette
were unsheahed on the same battle fields Our waters
and orr plains have been crimsoned with the generous
blood of France The names OF Rochambean, he Grasse
and DEstang are identified with our struggles Tor tree
dom They have become 10 some degree, American; and
we give them to children as names 10 be remembered
for the gallant deeds of those who bore them. 1t is
not surprising, under such circumstances ,nal IN me
survey of the European system, we should nave been
accustomed to regard France the power most hkely,
in the progress of events 10 become the ryal OF England
on the ocean, she has been on the land ana WIN
large norton of our people il the wish has not been
g parent" it has at least been companion TO the
thought" For this reason, the declaration oil M Guzo
was considered independently OF all views OF rght. as
peculiarly ungraclous and demonstration OF feeung
totally Inconsistent with the ancient friendship by when
the two countries have been united have never be-
eved il to be in accordance with the sentiments OF Inc
French people And strong has been my reliance on Their
right Judgment and feeling, that confess have thought
if not unlikely that inteposilon IN our affairs, so com
uetey at variance with amcable relations, which ought
10 be held sacred might be arrested by more decisive
interposton at home against its authors
repeat have spoken in no spirit OF unklndness eithe
coward. Great Britain or France. desire nothing but
friendship win themcose, cordial constant mutually
beneficial friendship speak OF them hsl2ueany, as
they exist and exhibit themselves to the eyes Oh he CIVIL
lied world. ,r.,,oo,,o,oos
Thus far have considered the probable consequences
of retiring from Mexico as they likely 10 aheet our
political relations with her, and possibly WIN olne
States. now turn, for single moment ons " ),