Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-01-27

bu. for one consideration which weighs in my
judgment, and which has had heretofore ant
still has controlling operation. Mr.. Pres-
dent, fear, greatly fear the eonf1ic, to which
such an acquisition would lead. The honora-
bic Senator from New Hampshire (Mr. HALE)
told the Senate the other day that the true or
igin of this war Jay in the settled purpose on
the part of the South to perpetuate and extend
slavery. am not alludng to this now with
any design to try conclusions with the honora-
Bile Senator on the question Of slavery. Sir,
ne will pardon me for telling him that that is
subject which no Southern man on this floor.
when he can AVOID it, desires to discuss. lie
will permit me to tell him land do ii with
all good feeling, and with all the respect in
which | hold hun as senator Of the United
States) that il has been owing to the exciting
discussions on this subject in the North tina,
slavery now exists in many of the Southern
States. He will permit ne to tell him that,
AS far as know, it has been his course. and
that of those VII Sc sentiments | e speaks on
This subject, which has done more than any
thing else towards It's perpetuation.
The greatest practical advocates Of slavery
has been the Senator himself and his particular
constituents. Sir, have my opinions upon
this subject as deeply instled as can have the
Senator from New Hampshire. They were
almost born with nae; they have been confirm
ed by the experience of every day Of my life;
they have been strengthened by the experience
| of al! have seen around me. | do not choose
to express them on this floor unless the CUES
ton is pressed home. But, whilst have fix
ed and nnalterabe convictions as to the mere
institution of slavery itself, as political or
vii I
deeply and irrevocably fixed, and that is
themselves. one and all Of them, 10 stand on
their own rights, to vindicate their own equal
ity, and exclusively at their own time, and
without the interference of others. TO NEEDLE in
their own peculiar institution Notwithstand-
the indications of the times. | cannot but say
that the opinions entertained in the North how
ever erroneous may think they are, are still
the Senator from New Hampshire would be
en- the State which set him here. if he were
not to make this condition. cannot but per-
ceiye that it is a popular feeling, which is
sweeping like whirlwind at the North But
there is an equally determined and steady feel
iuS a. tiiC COutHs IL lICSC lGGtiuAS 10 lNttUei
excited, there can be but one result: that is.
when look at either, Mr. President, my heart
sickens at the reflection. Sons of common
ancestry, bound together by common ties, elo-
rylng In common renown, looking in common
to still more glorious future, cannot but feel
my heart sink within me even at the posshii-
ty ofsuch result And it is because believe
will f,,1lov, Is I
have alluded shall be brought into existence.
QUESTION of territory. that gave my cordial
iect by the distinguished Senator from Georgia
at the last session.
Sir, am not to be driven into different
course by being told that such course leaves
US pecuniary loss With me, Mr.. President.
ter. With me the boundless wealth of the
world would be as nothing compared with
what should esteem the incalculable loss at
ending the destruction of orr national charac
ter. But, sir, it is not true that peace ac-
complished Oh the terms to which have re-
terred would leave us without indemnity -
Sir, we have indemnity in the history of this
war; it is to be found in the many glorious bat
StC-hCiuo HUI u pltseiitSu W all dStOH-
shed world; it is to be found in the delight
which electrified every American heart at the
result OF every battle; it is to be found in the
security which it furnishes against the distur-
bers of our peace hereafter. am not. there
fore, to be told that PEACE on such terms would
leave us losers in the true, high, and moral
sense of the term
A word on another subject and cease to
10 ! l,v. i'll,
Mr.. President, my preference ola regular owe.
a volunteer force. Now, sir, that preference
is founded (and have bat a word or two in
the way of reason to assign for iD on the opin-
ion which information in my possession has err
abled me to form, tina. the expense of regular
force is much less. and their efficiency infin-
itely greater; above all that the sacrifice Of
human life is less.
Mr.. Secretary Poinsett, in his letter of
2lst March. 1888, to the Hon. Mr.. Speaker
Polk, fnow President speaking ofthe compar
tive expense of the two descriptions of force,
says that
"The difference of expense between the en-
ployment Of this description troops {'neaning
volunteers and mi}itia) and regulars is at least
as four to one. independently ST the wastage
attending their ignorance of every administra-
i've orancn Oh the service ,the enormous expense
of marching them to and from distant points
for short periods of service, and the great in
crease that will be made to the pension list
under the provisions Of the act Of the 10Th
March, 1886"
Now, do not mean to underrate the volun-
teers. God forbid that | should! But make
bold to say thatat least one half of those who
were rejected unfit for the regular service
may be found in the ranks of the Volunteers
The chances of mortality in that corps are Of
course very much increased.
| have said, Mr.. President, all intend to
say upon this point. and ask the attention Of
the Senate only a moment or two longer while
add a word or two by the way of conclusion
Sir, have heard it said by some that this war
should be prosecuted because its tendency was
to smeliorate the condition of Mexico; | have
heard it. said shat were constituted mis-
sionaries by Heaven. even by fire and by
sword and By slaughter, to carry the light of
civilization into that benighted land. I have
heard that it has been stated even in the. pull
pit that we have beer selected BY Divine
Providence to purify dark and false religion,
to bring them into the blaze of the true faith ,
and 10 substitute for it the holier and purer
light of The Protestant religion. ! have heard
it stated. Mr.. President. that the war is to be