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

TO the whole Is the light to be measured out in this
way IA portion given TO member, and portion to
another whilst those who best with the full blaze OF
day are to have the whole OF IL the great body OF US be-
ing elt 10 wonder m ignorance OF those great subjects
which demand most solemn consideration and re-
sponslble acuon' Ii cannot be so, sir. The gentleman,
II understand Alright, has read extract from letter
We insist ii the letter be confded 10 the head OF a
committee, II may be conded to the Senate either IN
hdence or not, the President peases have no ieel
ing of capousness upon this subject and not the slight
est personal feeling think II is the right oil the Senate
10 have this information; and that, If access 10 the Ex-
ecuye departments by the legislative bodies IS to be pre-
cuded Ia this way, we must become nothing but the
shadow OF legislature. 1t is altogether contrary 10 for
mer practice to refuse this inquiry. Few, indeed, have
been the instances in which such resolution has been
opposed and never upon the vague geneaues now put
Mr. CASS One word, Mr. President | cannot su
fer myself to be misunderstood by The exerton OF the
great talents of the honorable senator from Kentucky,
nor by ms manner always imposing, though often sar
castle must say that the honorable senator has exhib-
tied great Ingenuity in putting his construction upon
my meaning | wish now to give my own; In the first
place The extract read TO the Senate all that related
to the subject The government determined upon GER
tain plan OF operation, and to carry that into effect ask
ed Tor fifty thousand men General Scott has submitted
three or four plans without giving the preference
TO one government had adopted of these plans,
and asked Tor the necessary legislative measures TO carry
into effect All that relates 10 this plan contained
In the extract that read and the Senate thus put
possession OF the OF the government and the
handing general on the topic which occupies their at
tentlon All else was, in fact bat speculation Well,
now, the honorable senator from Kentucky seems to
think that see secret IN everything whilst he sees
secret in nothing, The subject is exceedingly clear;
did not that there any secrets at all involved
this call All maintained was, the great principle in
all governments that during the time of war, caution
TO be exercised in giving publicity to specific plans OF
the campaign In that connexon there must be secrets
MIR. CRITTENDEN, Tin his seat) Certainly there
may be-
there secres War is game played by intelli-
gent and experienced men, not by men who show their
hands to their adversary The thing is impossible. No
such has been waged successfully and such
will be waged long compelled to resort
to wars. No secrets! They dishonorable Every
thing should be known! And a commanding general
who sits down before city, must begin by sending to his
opponent with the summons TO surrender, true abstract
OF his force, OF his munitions OF and his means OF
subsistence! And from day to day this must be renewed
with the morning report, because there should be
cres! And when he proposes to make movement,
with the same adherence OF secrecy, he must send
with flag OF truce, his proet of operatons-when he
will march such day--where he will encamp such a
highland what he proposes to do-and with what
amount OF men and materiel This may all be very
chvalric, but it would not be very well received in this
age OF the world No. sir, there must of necessity be
secrets with regard to the conduct of the With
sPect to the general operations which the government
directs, see no objection to disclosing them.
| The honorable gentleman says that | advocated the
swallowing of MeXico and he will pardon for saying
by mband sir, would It affect digestiona Mr.. Presi.
dent, will not stop to dispute with the honorable
tor about words He may talk sarcasticay of just in
swallowing it There are few things, however serious.
which may not be turned into rdcuc. 1t is, however
no test OF truth MIR jefferson spoke OF the gradual
mentaon Of country, which he foresaw and APP
Proved and called 1t extending freedom piece by piece
Now, sir prefer this expression OF Mr. Jefferson piece
BY piece to the expression Of the honorable senator from
i Kentucky limb by limb Though if cannot get the
territory that justly entitled to, without that ex-
preston, am willing to take it limb by limb.
| My aluson TO this subject was in this wise. The
honorable senator from South Carolina in his speech
few days SINCE deprecated the absorption of all Mexico
which measure, ii adopted, he considered be fatal
his government Now, SIR what was my remark in ref
erence TO this Rather light manner perhaps, but suf-
hcenuy clear in its meaning-hat this government would
stand great deal of killing and that did not believe
even the swallowing of all Mexico would be fatal to it,
though was not myself in favor of the measure.
satisfied with taking reasonable territorial ndemni-
y, the Mexcans would cede IT, leaving the subsequent
relations OF the two countries to be determined by subse
uent events Well, sir repeat again, that have no
belief that, If Mexican independence annihilated
tomorrow, and the whole country annexed to the United
States, it would Kill us.
And believe there is nothing under heaven which can
kill this government but the people themselves That is
my opinion of its power OF vitality. Ever since have
been upon the stage of action country has been kill
ed By prophets OF evil, crying "wo, to Jerusalem
Cassandras predicting to-day, and destruction
morrow, Yet we have gone on from increasing to in
crease. And where final boundaries to be- He
who controls the fate OF empires alone tell. did
not suppose that the honorable senator from Kentucky
could misunderstood me- have converted figure of
speech such swallowing nation, into argument to
be refuted bya serious anaogyto the human body War
and conquest to attain end and they
olled In their general operations by the law OF nations
They to be directed by the executive government,
upon its responsibility subject of to the super
vision of Congress with the great object, in the present
instance of making speedy and honorable peace with
Mexico The honorable senator says that now,
Sin fact" peace. What this qualification Sin fact
means, do not know The Mexican government is re-
sisting fugitive sometimes travelling from place to
place, still resisting, still unable unwilling to do
Justice. When Mexico is willing to do that justice
which YOU Mr. President and believe all this side of
the Senate believe, and some portion the other, TO
be due us, then and not till then, may relax our
exertions--as we shall have conquered peace But
repeat hat before said, that the longer Mexico
nues her obstinate rejection OF reasonable indemnity,
and the greater the eyeron she compes to make, the
greater will be our demands, and the heavier her losses
commencement of the present campaign, may well
refuse and what we would accept now, may
well refuse after a few months. And how much the
public sentiment of this country may demand year
two hence If the continues long, do not pre-
tend to predict We may have to make the great expert
ment, so dreaded by the senator from South Car
DINA and the senator from Kentucky, and an
penalty which national injustice has often been called
TO pay, and which Mexico may be preparing for herself
! Mr. CRITTENDEN | know that in time of war; in
the conduct OF armies and campaigns, the general does
not the enemy the route by which he
tended to march, or the plan which he has adopted for
attaining his objects But the information sought
for of the Executive is OF entirely different character.
The argument of the honorable SENATOR 1t is evident,
to which he has been driven by the necessity of his
case and | say again, although there may be secrets,
and certain circumstances which may be important to
keep concealed for the time these asked Tor are not
OF that description | really wonder how the gentleman
can repeat IN this solemn style, without smile upon his